Shelter From The Strife of Tongues

Scripture

Psalm 31:20 says, “In the cover of Your presence You hide them from the plots of men; You store them in Your shelter from the strife of tongues.”

I find that a steady diet of watching the news or reading it on social media slowly tears down any shred of inner peace – what little I could have had. Words are way more powerful than we think. They can sting more than a knife blade. Once published or even spoken, words never go away. They stay. You can never walk a regrettable email back, not really. We navigate in a world that is full of the strife of tongues, never mind images.

But God promises to shelter us in His presence. Psalm 73:26 says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Sometimes His shelter comes in the form of an unwanted circumstance and later we discover that it was a protective distraction from a harmful event. Sometimes we find that angels created a diversion so that we would avoid a deeper harm. What I know is that my flesh makes me feel very limited and helpless and my heart gives in to fear more often than not. Easily, I sink low and doubt that God is there. I often doubt that He understands how the strife of tongues attacks my peace.

What I don’t always see, but know is reality, is God’s enduring presence. By faith I know He creates a sturdy umbrella of love and a sense of ultimate safety over me. God encourages me to walk by faith and not by sight. When words come in torrents and anger is expressed in shouting and offensive words, I know that God sees and hears it all. He knows its impact on my heart.

God will protect my heart from getting sucked down the drain of negative emotions and will protect my heart from all the infections of frustration, disappointment, and rage. How can I access the shelter from strife? It is not magic. It is by faith. Yes, I will feel the feelings of hurt and strife, but I will take them to my capable Savior and wrestle through these things with Him alone. He is the One Who supplies presence, protection, and peace – sometimes even when I’m not aware. He is the One Who leads me beside still waters.

Psalm 23:1-3 says, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” It helps to unplug often. It helps to limit our intake of “strife producers.” It helps to put devices down, screens off, and find the Shepherd in the quiet times where only His Word has permission to come in. He is the ultimate Shelter from the strife of tongues.

From His Temple He Heard My Voice

Scripture

Psalm 18:6 says, “In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears.”

The same powerful God Who accomplished an amazing rescue of David, from his enemies and from Saul, can be counted on when we cry out to Him. David’s enemies relentlessly pursued him with the intent to bring about his physical death. The odds were never in David’s favor. He had to be tired of running. He had to be spiritually exhausted. He had to wonder if anyone would be there to defend him. He had to wonder if he had any friends. He surely battled fear, anger, anxiety, and loneliness. But, he cried out to God and his cries reached God’s ears.

David credits God with training him to be a successful warrior. Yet, successful in the reality of God’s strength, and not his own. David recognizes that without God, he would not be secure or supported or shielded.

Secure. David is secure because God’s presence is near and trustworthy. Likewise, we are secure because God steadies us in our wavering faith. Secure because God supplies the solid foundation we need and He holds us in His firm grip. He saves us from the penalty of sin. Ephesians 3:11-12 says, “This was according to the eternal purpose that He has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in Whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him.”

Supported. David was supported because God truly responded to his cries. Likewise, God sees us. God hears us. He understands our circumstances. He is ready and willing to save us. He abounds in compassion, mercy, and grace. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

Shielded. David was shielded because mighty God commanded His angels concerning him (Luke 4:10). Likewise, we are shielded because God’s strength is placed around us like a hedge. Shielded because God loves us and protects us. Romans 8:38-39 says, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Psalm 18:35-36 is my Christmas prayer for those who are feeling lost, overwhelmed, in danger, weary, attacked, betrayed. “You [God] have given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your right hand supported me, and Your gentleness made me great. You gave me a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip.”

Dear Lord, I pray, please be my security, my support, my shield.

And from His temple, God always hears our voices. Never stop crying out to Him.

Faithful Fixer

Scripture

My first son-in-law became introduced to our family 23 years ago and instantly became a Virginia Tech fan, 99% because it was his future wife’s university, but also because the VT football fan craze contagion cannot be avoided by anyone! He became the Dad of my very first grandchild which is a very distinct honor! So, the journey to our “family building” began with him!

Thank you God that this son founded his household on the Firm Rock, Jesus Christ (Luke 6:47)! I do not worry that any earthly floods of sorrow or suffering will overcome this strong foundation. Thank you God that Your eternal Word fell on his heart’s good and rich soil long ago so that he is a faithful and fruitful husband, father, son, brother, co-worker, and friend. Multiply his fruitfulness to a hundredfold (Mark 4:8-9). Let him be a man who boasts that he knows and understands You Lord, and therefore flows with Your steadfast love, justice, and righteousness (Jere. 9:23-24). For his humility and kindness, I am so grateful. Thank You for giving him a heart of flesh rather than a heart of stone (Ezekiel 36:23-24), for this reflects the Spirit of the Living God in his life of faith. Thank You that he is a man of prayer.

This faithful fixer of broken things is a builder and restorer of gasoline and diesel engines. For that matter, he is also handy at most all domestic repairs and minor renovations. He has a servant’s heart and a thoughtful personality. He is ready to share himself whenever there is a need. Dear God, please remove any “weariness in well-doing” that comes close to him, because he instead will trust You in all things. You have given him the gift of practical stewardship with which he blesses our family continually. He is our most dependable mender of appliances, painter, hammerer, nailer, wrencher, tightener, purifier of swimming pool water, mower, mulcher, carrier of heavy objects, washer of pots and pans and plates after a meal, smoker of meats, and automotive magician. No job seems too big or too small. The list goes on.

I pray that my son-in-law will continue to love the Scriptures and be strengthened in the grace of Christ to speak and act as a trustworthy and reliable witness who can teach others (2 Tim. 2:1-2). I pray that You will prepare him to preach the Word in season and out of season with patience and care (2 Tim. 4:2). I ask that You develop his leadership and teaching gifts in his church community. I pray that You will widen his spiritual sensitivity as You speak to him through Your Word.

Finally, I pray I Thess. 1:2-4 over my first son-in-law. God, will You greatly expand this son’s works of faith, labors of love, and steadfastness of hope? As You deepen his faith, give him many opportunities to let others see Jesus in his responding, especially when his faith is sorely tested and his circumstances cause stress. As You deepen his love, give him the caring attention and understanding needed by his wife, maturing daughters, parents, extended family and friends. Extend his compassion and mercy to the unsaved with whom he interacts. Use his practical skills to bless those who need his expertise. Lord Jesus, let him always be Your hands and feet. As You deepen his hope, give him Your perspective on world happenings. Let him sense Your Sovereignty and unthwarted purposes always at play. Let him find rest for his soul and body in Your capable hands.

Amen.

Vols To Virginia

Scripture

Another son entered our family in 2015. Coming from a Tennessee family, he was drawn to Virginia for preparation as a highly skilled surgeon. And, by God’s providence, he was also on a road to start a life with our youngest girl. He was then and is now, as his name means, a gift of God!

Lord God, I ask that my TN son-in-law would be one who seeks diligently after You, to understand You, and to look first to You in all circumstances (Psalm 53:2). May he be like a flourishing green olive tree in God’s house, prosperous, enduring – deeply connected to and trusting in the Good Shepherd Who lays down His life for us (Psalm 52:8).

In the relentless demands of life, will You lead him to be still and really know that You are God (Psalm 46:10)? Be his rest, his energy, his motivation, his clarity. Will You supply him with good courage and the ability to walk evermore by faith rather than sight (2 Corinthians 5:6-9)?

Prepare my son-in-law’s mind for the requirements of the day and the unceasing calls for discernment and precise skill. Prepare his body to be strong and healthy so his journey through each day will be infused with grace, mercy and peace. Prepare his soul for life’s sorrows and joys, disappointments and celebrations, strengths in times of weakness, and ultimately the crown of life eternal.

Grant that he will be a curious and persistent disciple of Christ, always inquiring of the Lord answers to the many challenging questions of his heart and mind. May he be a compassionate husband and life partner, a wise father to his little girls, an attentive son, and a devoted friend. May he be an asset to his superiors, a support to his colleagues, and an encouragement to those he trains and leads.

In the midst of his life’s calling, will You generously give him abundant practical wisdom to detect problems, the keen imagination to consider solutions, and all the skills to apply remedies and save lives? At the same time, will you minimize the flood of demands that can easily overwhelm in such a consuming vocation? Will You make Your glory shine through the life-saving expertise You have given to this beloved son?

I pray Ephesians 3:14-19 over this son-in-law, that he will be strengthened by God’s Spirit in the inner man, so that he may be able to comprehend and know the love of Christ. Dear God, be my son-in-law’s Rock, Refuge, safety, guide, and leader. Give him broad shoulders and a deep heart. May his life always reflect Your love, joy, and kindness.

Amen.

Her Name Means Pearl

Scripture

God brought a third daughter into our lives through the “in-law” route, and we became complete in our understanding of God’s goodness when He did! Her professional accomplishments have never overshadowed her thoughtfulness, her adjustments to our family dynamics have never stolen her kindness, and the hard places in life have never shaken her beautiful faith in God. She’s our pearl!

Father God, I pray that You will give this young woman the glow that comes from a Proverbs 31 lifestyle and a heart that shines peace even when there seems to be none. Enable her to never be shaken because You are always at her right hand, continually set before her (Psalm 16:8). Incline Your ear to her to strengthen her heart when she experiences affliction (Psalm 10:17). Be her stronghold in times of trouble because she has put her trust in You (Psalm 9:9-10).

In the busyness of motherhood, bring this mom into a spiritually spacious place because You, Lord, delight in her (2 Samuel 22:20). Give her time for quiet and rest; give her energy for balancing the demands of child raising; give her grace to be a pastor’s wife; give her margin for meeting the needs of friends and extended family members; give her the encouragement that comes from staying in Your Word.

Lord, be near to this daughter when demands are overwhelming, when co-workers create disappointment, when communications don’t land well, when corporate culture strips away joy. Be a refuge for this daughter when ministry life takes a toll on the family. Be the truest love of her life, Lord, so that others will see in her the luster of Your compassion and love for people. Enable her to love and serve her family well and trust that You will walk her safely through every hurdle, big and small.

Thank you, Lord, for the amazing gift to our family of this daughter! Be the pearl of great price in her life forever. Bless her with the joy of watching her children, and eventually her grandchildren, grow and mature in Christ. Bless her with peace beyond understanding that comes when she keeps her eyes on You alone. Bless her with a sense of humor in the “haywireness” of life on earth. Bless her with a rock solid relationship with her mate for life because Your glory is this couple’s sole desire!

Amen.

Prayer For My Last of Three

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Almighty Creator, what a wonder to have a surprise third baby in the midst of building a house that required an extra bedroom “change order” while in progress. Not to mention the added stress of moving to a different town coinciding with this baby’s due date. Although I missed the actual moving day since she was born 13 days late, I gratefully moved into a new home that had been furnished and organized by her father (my husband), and all this directly from the hospital! God, You are indeed a Faithful Provider!

I am reminded to keep asking You, Lord, to give her deeper trust in You as You unfold her story, especially as she will be having her own surprise third baby in the winter! I ask that you, Lord, protect mother and child with the daily command of Your angels and rally of Your network of helpers in her city. As You watch over her household, I pray that You will meet her daily so that she can breathe in Your Word and breathe out the joy of walking closely with You.

Father, thank You for planting the gift of song in this daughter‘s life, whether it be worship music, Broadway show tunes, or other genres. Lord, I pray Psalm 5:11 over her, “… let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy and spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your Name may exalt in You.” May her “lips … shout for joy when [she] sings praises to You, [her] soul also which You have redeemed.” (Psalm 71:23)

The tapestry of this daughter’s life has always been thought-provoking, occasionally perplexing. I pray, Lord, that her tough individuality never departs from reflecting Your radiant glory; that the dances she taps are never out of step with Your will; that the songs she sings capture Your faithfulness; and that her strong-willed self-determination is never at odds with her fundamental dependence on You as her Savior and Lord. For sure, the uniqueness of this daughter whispers to me the distinctiveness of You, God.

As a definite “own the beach” kind of girl, sometimes misunderstood, sometimes heavily emotional, and sometimes wise beyond her years, grant her deep discernment and foresight for the road ahead. Enable her to be fruitful beyond the ceaseless demands of little ones, the intense professional life of her husband, the scattered locations of her family members, and the challenge of navigating long distance relationships. Lord, You have called her to this season, and I pray that you will give her every physical and spiritual blessing she needs to fulfill Your call.

As a lover of books, podcasts, scripts, and shows, I pray this daughter would love your Word best of all. This reality I pray for her, Psalm 19:7-10 “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” Like latte art, I ask that her life continue swirling as a basic rosetta in the midst of the mundane, but as a beautiful swan in the turbulent places of adulting. 

Although this season is a hard one, I pray that eternal rewards will be visibly sprinkled along her journey. When the next season resumes, maybe with the articulation of poetry or the teaching of elementary children, I pray the tapestry of this daughter’s life will be an expression of God’s beauty and grace. “Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God my Father. There is no shadow of turning with Thee. Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not. As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.”

May “Great is Thy Faithfulness” continue to be her song. Amen.

Prayer for My Son

Scripture

Father God, this second child (now grown up) was an answer to a specific prayer for a son, for his father to know the joy of having a son, and for a mother’s hope similar to Hannah’s – to give this son to God for “him to dwell in the presence of the Lord forever” – like Samuel (I Samuel 1:20-22). God’s answer for me came in less than 4 hours of labor under a January full moon, and a subsequent road to four decades of life, saturated with complexity, hurdles and doubt; but also, miracles, faith, and abounding grace!

Lord, as the truths of Colossians and Romans 9 took root in his life, I watched You take this beloved rebel and call him to be a “son of the living God” (Romans 9:26). What a mercy! What a “potter-and-clay” living example of Your faithfulness as well as a means for meeting my need for times of testing to deepen my wavering “mother-faith.”

Father, thank you that my son has a love for theology and the reformed confessions of the Christian faith. At the same time, I pray that the systematic study of Your nature, relationship with the world, and tenants of faith would never replace the profound pleasure of his knowing You personally through Your everyday miracles in his life and Your eternal interests in molding him into the likeness of Your Son Jesus.

Lord, just like the expression of restoration that comes from blooming flowers lovingly cultivated in a backyard, enable this son to clearly herald to others that death has been overcome by Christ and that we were designed for beauty and immortality. In his calling to preach Your Word, may his spiritual plantings be received in the soil of many receptive hearts. May Truth be articulated in such a way as to awaken the thirst of souls for our Great God and for the salvation that only He can supply.

Thank you God for gifting this son with a refreshing “let’s all go” approach to life and friendship with others. Enable him to continue to be wisely inclusive, continually hospitable, and diligently proactive in building relationships for family-strengthening and church-growing. Multiply his ministries and cover him with Your ongoing sanctifying work, widening wisdom, and compassionate care.

Thank you Lord for all the FaceTimes and personal visits that my son and his family blessed us with during Covid days and beyond! Bless him richly for purposefully reaching out and showing up often when convenience and time constraints and responsibilities make it a true challenge.

May Hebrews 12:2 be the trajectory of my son’s life. May he look unwaveringly to the Lord, the Founder and Perfecter of his faith. May this young pastor be rooted firmly in You Lord, and be described as an “oak of righteousness” because of his well-watered faith. May he be the strong and compassionate husband, father, son and friend You intend him to be. May You give him increasing patience to lead and love well. May You give him humility before You and uncommon grace expressed continually toward others. May you enable him to fulfill the pastoral calling You have placed in his life for Your glory and honor!

Amen.

Prayer for My First of Three

Scripture

The most significant and wondrous adventure of my life was welcoming my first child into the world – a girl. This daughter I pray for calls the mountains her birthplace and I call it the time when God taught me the kindness of strangers, the care of a Mennonite doctor, and the healthy respect for snowy roads, wood stoves, and only three television channels (via antenna).

I am thankful that You, Lord, gifted her to love reading and writing and You equipped her for the unique profession of marketing. Continue to use her persuasive skills to promote ideas and items that are healthy and edifying, for the common good of all who are blessed to benefit. Continue to speak rest and restoration to her through Your gifts of the ocean waves, the summer sun, and the cooling pool. Continue to develop her awareness of the intricacies of Your Creation – the nutrition of untainted grain, the naturalness of colors You placed in nature, and the substances You designed to encourage healthy living. Use her convincing voice to help others in gaining that awareness of all that is good.

Lord, I ask You to place Your comforting hand on this daughter as she is in the season of letting go of her maturing children – with loosely tied ribbon that has plenty of “give” and never ever separates, but allows for launching that God has always intended. Bless her with an enduring assurance that her husband and children are God’s gifts to her to steward and enjoy, and that the testing of her faith in family life is the way God brings beauty to the fore in her life, for His glory.

Thank you God for giving this girl natural sweetness, fierce love for You and others, and courage to confront the hardness of brokenness in places least expected. Cause her to persist in reflecting the sparkling qualities of Philippians 4:8 – what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent. The radiance of foundational strength that is found in the “stones of turquoise” in Isaiah 54:10-13. The shimmer of unworried birds of the air (Matthew 6:26) who are clothed and cared for by the Father.

Author and Finisher of our faith, enable this daughter to set her eyes on You alone and not the heart wrenches of relational misunderstanding, purposeful snubbing, or flawed institutions. Cause her to flourish and thrive, not because she’s met the expectations and demands of others, but because You are her true and only Source and Your love never disappoints.

With Your amazing grace, bring her safely through this season of emptying the nest, discerning what creative and productive activities will occupy her near future, and what relational investments will be most worthy of her effort and of Your praise. Enable her to reflect the rooted stability of the “tree” metaphor in Psalm 1:1-3, firmly planted, resilient, and close to the spiritual Water Source (Jesus, our Shepherd).

Thank You for granting me the great privilege of being her mother!

Amen.

Prayer For Sixth Granddaughter

Grace, Prayer, Scripture, Truth

Another miracle. This little one is not even three years old yet. We know she is not fond of confinement, time riding in a car, or being strapped in a carseat. She is raring to go, a girl of action! She has the most contagious smile and zest for living! Yet Lord, please give this youngest tike the true enjoyment of her God-given life as she learns and grows. I pray that her greatest pursuit would be after the Lord Jesus and that she would know Psalm 14:2 “The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.”

For the future you have planned for her, Lord, be her ever-present Shepherd and let Your glory shine through her. Give her a joyful heart and a celebration of Your Holy name (I Chronicles 16:10). Even now I pray that her landscape of future interactions with friends, teachers, employers, and spouse be laced with many confirmations that You, God, are sovereignly orchestrating her life, intending to deepen her love for Jesus and to seal her friendship with the Word of God.

Protect her from the physical dangers and mental snares of life while also giving her a forceful strength of character to confront what brings attack. Protect her from false messages and errant doctrine while also giving her Your wisdom which is better than silver, gold, or rubies. Protect her from chaos and confusion while also giving her a life of honor, eternal riches, pleasantness, and peace. (Proverbs 31:13-18)

What might be this granddaughter’s pilgrim’s journey? I pray it would be a fight to thrive and sow endless seeds of grace and mercy to those around her. I pray it would be a fierce determination to understand God’s truth and to share it widely. I pray that she would be the greatest and most loyal friend anyone would ever want. I pray it would be an intense focus on helping others and alleviating their suffering. O Lord, may this little girl make a huge difference in this world, for Your honor and glory!

Amen.

Prayer for Fifth Granddaughter

Prayer, Scripture, Truth

Lord, You are the Giver. The gift of life is Yours alone to give. You graciously reached down to add this little girl to our family when America was in turmoil during a pandemic. We deeply thank You for bringing her safely into her new home, to bless her mom and dad with joy and amazement, in 2020! For this little one, I pray that her “life song” interlocks with the lyrics of the beloved song “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High.”

May this girl proclaim: “Lord, I lift Your name on high; Lord, I love to sing Your praises; I’m so glad You’re in my life; I’m so glad You came to save us. You came from heaven to earth; To show the way; From the earth of the cross; My debt to pay; From the cross to the grave; From the grave to the sky; Lord, I lift Your name on high.”

Her name means “life” and I ask that You would make her life abundant and long, joyful and musical, with laughter and twirls, with fascination and inquiry, with total trust in You Lord. Build her faith early and let her light shine for You on the playground, at dance class, at home, and at church. Send Your angels to keep her safe from harm. Send Your Holy Spirit to draw her to Yourself. Send Your promises to secure her peace.

Let her know the Name of Jesus and the reality of Psalm 9:10 “And those who know Your Name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” As this precious girl pursues truth, grows up, asks questions, discovers Your Creation, and looks heavenward, give her Divine direction that leads her straight to Your heart.

Let this granddaughter be a branch of Your planting, Lord (Isaiah 60:21), the work of Your hands that You might be glorified. Nourish her (Ezekiel 31:4) and bring flowing rivers out of her life to encourage those in the fields around her to grow and become healthy.

Let this scripture be infallible for her. Psalm 1:3 “[He] She is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that [he] she does, [he] she prospers.”

Amen.