1. Susan Schmidt

    Journal for the Journey

    by
    | Prayer Journal
    October 23, 2013

    We’re all on our own journey with its twists and turns, so why journal? And why a prayer journal?

    I found a typewritten letter to God that I wrote back in 1986. I thought that my journal started in 2009, but it seems that I had the journaling “bug” back then. I type so much faster than I can write that it just frustrates me to try to hand write anything. I drifted back into journaling in 2009 after my husband died unexpectedly. While sorting through my grief and beginning to move forward in my life, I began to write a diary of what I was going through. That diary eventually turned into a prayer journal as well where I expressed what I was going through to my heavenly Father.

    That was a special time for me. The evenings are lonely – as anyone who has lost a spouse will tell you – so I would put on my favorite praise and worship music, close my eyes and just type to the Lord. As the months passed there were times when I would look back at what I’d written and realize that the words that I used at times weren’t words that were typically “mine.” How precious to have the Holy Spirit with me as I began to journal.

    I hope that you’ll share with me your journaling journey. In the days – and posts – to come I’ll share more about this very special journey. Won’t you join me?

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  2. Susan Schmidt

    The Write Stuff

    by
    | Prayer Journal
    October 23, 2013

    Go now, write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness. – Isaiah 30:8 (NIV)

    Have you tried writing your prayers? Keeping a prayer journal? Lately as I try to pray at various times of the day I find my thoughts bouncing around in my head like a pinball hitting the bumpers. There’s one thought – bump – off to another thought – bump – I need to remember to do XYZ – bump – you get the idea. Sometimes it seems no matter how hard I try to focus my thoughts – and my prayers – they are all jumbled. I’m not pleased with myself for being like this and I’d like to give the credit to my age, but for whatever reason I’m not focused.

    I began once again keeping a prayer journal at the end of January this year and I’ve found that it helps me tremendously. As I sit and type my prayers to the Father I need to concentrate on what I want to say and make my fingers race across the keyboard to keep up with the thoughts and the prayer. I’m more centered and that pinball in my mind is quiet. I love having a record of my prayers and going back to review what I’ve prayed about on any given day. Do I do this every day? No, but on an average I type something in my prayer journal five days each week. The days that I don’t go into my prayer journal seem scrambled and I don’t start out with the focus that I do when I’ve gone to the Father before starting my day. Just sayin’….

    Won’t you join me in keeping a prayer journal? Whether you prefer to hand write or type I suggest that you give it a try. Ask the Lord if this is what He would have you to do and obey His leading.

    Adonai,

    Thank You for Your patience with me as I try to focus my attention on You. It’s my desire to communicate with You on many levels and I am grateful that You have provided me with various tools for organizing my thoughts. I ask that You are with me as I talk with You and may I also be open to hearing You speak with me. Thank You for Your word and for the many ways that You and I can communicate with each other. I ask that You are with those who are reading this and that You would minister to them and show them how You would like to communicate with each of them. You are such a loving Father who wants to hear from His children, and I thank You for allowing me to sit at Your feet and talk with You.

    In Jesus’ name, Amen

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  3. Susan Schmidt

    His Unfailing Love

    by
    | Faith
    September 21, 2012

    But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. – Psalm 33:18 (NLT)

    Unfailing love. Two of the most beautiful words that describe how our heavenly Father loves us. I love the Psalms and read them daily, and the words unfailing love are repeated often. I’ve begun to highlight the words every time I see them as a reminder of how much my Father loves me.

    Just what does unfailing mean anyway? The dictionary tells us that this adjective means inexhaustible, endless and completely dependable. Yep, that sums up the love that Yahweh has for His children. How blessed we are to have such a loving Father! Some other verses on unfailing love:

    The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. – Psalm 25:10 (NLT)

    I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. – Psalm 31:7 (NLT)

    Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 23: 6 (NLT)

    Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. – Psalm 36:5 (NLT)

    This one is particularly beautiful:

    How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. – Psalm 37:7 (NLT)

    When was the last time that you thanked El Elyon (Most High God) for his unfailing love? Won’t you join me in praising Him and thanking Him for loving us?

    Adonai,

    Today I come before You to give thanks for Your unfailing love. Your Word tells me over and over again how much You love Your children and I am humbled to know that the Creator of the Universe loves me with a love that is endless. My heart and my mind can’t begin to take it in! Praise You, Father, for Your love and goodness and for loving me so very much! May I extend Your love to others that I meet that they may see You through me.

    In Jesus’ name, Amen

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