Scripture Reading: Luke 11:1-54, Psalm 40:1, Matthew 6:6-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but for as long as I can remember, I’ve kind of lived as an “expect the worst” sort of person.
Don’t get me wrong. I love Jesus, I love my family, and I’m so grateful for all God has given. But at the same time, I’ve told myself that if I expect not-so-great things to happen, then I won’t be devastated, shocked, or hurt when they do. (Am I the only one like this?)
For example: We’re going to the beach tomorrow…but there’s a chance it might rain! Our family is coming to visit…but hosting will be tiring! I’m trying this new dinner recipe tonight…but it may not be good!
I don’t know why I’m like this, and yes, it’s annoying. But I’ve been this way since I was young. It’s as though, deep down, I’m afraid to ask for the best and not get it. It feels risky to be hopeful for something that may not work out.
As a follower of Jesus, Luke 11 is so convicting for me, especially as I now raise my children and try to show them what it means to walk and live by faith.
“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.”
—Luke 11:9
This is the model, the whole posture of how Jesus told us to come to Him! He told us to knock with persistence, not with doubts already brewing or with tempered expectations that He may not help us at all. Jesus described what this persistent faith looks like: fully believing that our Father is ready, willing, and waiting to take care of us.
The psalmist David described this posture as waiting patiently for the Lord, knowing and believing that He hears us and He will take care of our needs (Psalm 40:1). Of course, having God’s provision doesn’t mean cash, cars, and winning lottery tickets. But it does mean having unending access to mercy, love, and the gift of the Holy Spirit to lead us and give us God’s wisdom.
Today’s reading challenges me to ask: When I pray, do I really trust the heart of God? Do I believe He has good plans for me and that His wisdom and grace stretch farther than I can understand?
Maybe your prayers are full of faith, fully believing in the Father’s love for you. Or maybe you’re a little like me. You know your heavenly Father loves you, but you wrestle with doubt, especially when it comes to things that seem impossible in your own understanding.
I’m learning that even with our doubt, our Father just wants us to come to Him. Our words don’t have to be perfect. We don’t have to see the way through the path that lies ahead. He just wants us to ask for what we need, remembering, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8).
God, help us to focus on praying without ceasing instead of worrying our way through our prayers. Remind us today that we can trust the heart of our Father in every situation. Amen.
Written by Abby Flynn
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119 thoughts on "The Lord’s Prayer"
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Thank you
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There is a wonderful book about the Lord’s Prayer by Matt smallbone!! Highly recommend
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Thank you so much for your words. Shane has caused me to hide my doubts in the past. I was putting limits on God! God is present to handle all things; even when I doubt! I’m taking back all that wasted time and giving all praise to God!
Worrying our way through our prayers. Ouch!
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I’m learning that I can turn to God before I have everything figured out, and I can trust Him without knowing exactly how everything will turn out ❤️
I told a client once, that if I didn’t have expectations I wouldn’t be disappointed. He told me maybe I didn’t expect enough.
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A big But God!
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I think there is so much truth in that. I need and want to believe that if I ask it will be given. I think the important thing is to know what will be given. Peace, strength, patience, etc. Not saving a life, a new house, or job. Not that those things can’t happen, but it is the character traits that will help us through if we don’t receive those things. Better to be given those traits so we can walk like Christ did.
Amen, Traci! Well said! Joining in prayer for you, Deb, and family! ❤❤❤
Ammen, Traci!
Sending love..❤️❤️
Sorry Traci , forgot to say, praying for Deb and family and lifting you up too as you journey with her..❤️
A big Amen Traci!
I want to believe that God can be bigger than any bad circumstance that may come my way. Our circumstances can’t out shadow God.
Yes, Jennifer! ❤️❤️
I feel like as we’ve studied Luke along with other personal devotionals and reading, God’s Kingdom is an idea that is repeated over and over. The radically different, upside-down Kingdom, Jesus came and completely changed the ideals people held on to in their own understanding. Jesus doesn’t want small adjustments, he wants our whole life and a completely changed life. Thinking of the song “The Lord’s Prayer (It’s Yours)” By Matt Maher
Amen to that- “he wants our whole life and a completely changed life!”
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“TRUE BLESSEDNESS”
Luke 11
27. As he was saying these things, a woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the one who nursed you!”
28. He said, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”
LOVE Love love this natural call from the woman & super natural response by Jesus. He gently redirected her gaze. It was not the sign itself – casting out of demons – but what the sign was pointing to – the Kingdom has arrived. It was not about drawing onlookers – but about gathering hearers, believers and doers of His teaching. It was not about who birthed Him by the Holy Spirit – but about all peoples who stood to be blessed.
So beautifully put, dear Gwineth, thank you! ❤️
“Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). I love this verse. In our last women’s Bible study at church, one of the videos featured Jen Wilkin, who shared that if the purpose and content of our prayers were simply to give thanks to God, that alone would be enough to pray without ceasing. Who God is to us changes how we pray, and that thought has stuck with me deeply.
CEE GEE- thank you for the share yesterday, it was like a sermon on its own. Praying you feel better today.
WENDY- praying for your health and your parents in law during this challenging transition.
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Be blessed dear sisters.
Thank you, Mercy; I am! ❤ Prayers for steady improvement with your eyes and no hang-ups with the realtor convention registration.
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Thank you Mercy❤️
Today’s passage begins with one of the disciples asking, “Lord, teach us to pray”, and then He does. Even though He already knows our needs and our hearts, He gives us a framework for reverence, humility, guidance, petition, and expectation when we ask, seek, knock and can be in place of the Lord’s presence and build relationship with Him im every situation. Nothing that we need is beyond bringing it to Jesus and we can trust Him with it all. Thank you Lord.❤️
Praying for your requests SRT sisters and @ Traci, so sorry about the news for your friend.
Thank you @ Teresa and @ Searching for your notes and praying. The injection itself is incredibly painful which makes it difficult for both of us. I am very tired but otherwise thus far feeling ok.
Please also pray for peace for my MIL whose health has significantly declined. She is currently in hospital and this morning we had a meeting with a Palliative nurse and Mom has made the decision to be transitioned to comfort care and transferred to a hospice facility as soon as a bed is available. Please pray for peace for her during this time and for my FIL who is often confused and doesn’t fully understand. Thank you
Wendy, thankful this injection is behind you and continued prayers for dealing with side effects- may they be few and minimal!
So sad about your in-laws; prayers for you and your husband and for peace for them. ❤
Wendy, praying for relief from the pain and few side effects. And praying for your in-laws as your MIL moves to hospice.
Praying for you, Wendy. Sending love to you and your family as you walk this road
Wendy joining with our sisters in praying for relief and comfort and for you in laws.. this feels like a season.. BUT GOD, right.. Blessings dear heart ❤️
Thank you, sisters❤️
This challenged me! I’m such a worse case scenario person! Always prepared on a trip for what might come up! But God has been working on me in this area! He is teaching me that I can trust the heart for God and He has good plans for me!
He is bigger and greater than anything that might come my way!
Praying for all of you!
I learned while living through hurricane threats over the years to EXPECT the best, but be PREPARED for the worst. ❤
Amen, Cee Gee ❤️
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I love this, Abby Flynn… “ God, help us to focus on praying without ceasing instead of worrying our way through our prayers. Remind us today that we can trust the heart of our Father in every situation. Amen.”
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And… may my inside match the outside.
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Amen.❤️
BG verse today Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
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The Lord’s Prayer.
Every day acknowledge God and His eternal kingdom, pray, praise and honor Him, show thankfulness, accept His provision, forgiveness, guidance and protection, and forgive everyone ‘indebted’ to us.
Reminded that someone being ‘indebted’ to me (in my mind at least) or vice versa includes many things other than money – especially things that are one offs or can’t necessarily be returned – a favor or provision in time of need, a listening ear time and again when you/they aren’t in a place to be able to reciprocate, a loved one that’s a taker and not a giver, standing up for truth and right when others won’t, and not receiving that same support when needed. Do I have unreasonable expectations? Am I holding a grudge? Are there boundaries I need to pray about setting? Much for me to think about.
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CEE GEE ❤️ praying you are feeling better, and praying for your son and his family in their heartbreak of saying goodbye to a much loved pet. I’ve cried many tears in these goodbyes. Love the share on Capernaum and Bethsaida. Like the good and poor soil of hearts even and especially today.
TRACI GENDRON ❤️ praying for you, Deb, Larry, family and other friends. Praying the Lord’s comfort for her and all who love her. Praying too for your husband’s daughter and his son’s fiancée, that God’s love will shine through you and that you are able to show that love to them in a way that touches their hearts.
ADRIENNE ❤️ praying for wisdom and protection
WENDY B ❤️ praying injection is well tolerated
MERCY ❤️ praying as you attend conference
LYNNE FROM AL ❤️ praying each day is better, with less pain
TANYA EVANS ❤️ praying for your son as he serves our country. I am thankful for his service.
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Thank you. ❤️
Joining you in prayers. Thank you for praying for me ❤️.
Great reflections, SEARCHING! Thank you for the prayers; I am feeling better today! ❤
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Adding my amen to the other prayers mentioned. You are a blessing! ❤
Thank you
Amen.my love, and thank you for this great reflection, got me thinking..❤️
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This is a lot of scripture! How to make a comment as a whole? But I zoned in on “The LIGHT in You” because I always love using the analogy of LIGHT vs dark. But today’s understanding is that “thinking” we have light..doesn’t necessarily clear out the dark. While I always think the light casts out dark, or the darkness can’t overcome the light, in this context- we can THINK we know truth…but it is not. Our own ideas and beliefs are not true spiritual light they are just that, “our own.”
We must have an honest and humble relationship with the Lord. Reading the word and knowing it. Not getting from the (false pulpits and teachings), podcasts, and (only) feel-good scriptures. God’s will, God’s word, God’s truth. The whole word.
What a warning! I know the ideas I had each decade of my life fortunately became sharper and clearer, and refined the more time I was in the word. What seemed “okay” in my eyes and the world’s, was not in fact good for my eyes to see. (the lamp to our body). We can’t watch TV, movies, books with sex, cuss words, killings and think it is not causing harm. We can’t be of this world. We can’t have one foot in the world and one in the Bible. It causes us to have false security. What terrible words to hear “Depart from me you never knew me!”
Our life should be getting more Holy as we call him our Lord. If he is indeed the center of our life, we shall know it by our fruits. Does your life show it in all aspects that you follow and obey the Father God?! (not perfection, but a heart to please Him) Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by renewing of your mind, that by the testing of what is God’s will, what is good, acceptable and perfect! (close- put by memorization)
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“Our life should be getting more Holy as we call him our Lord.”
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Amen!
…in every situation….EVERY!
Thank you JESUS for this much needed reminder. Nothing is too insignificant for my Jesus!
Every situation.. He is present.., everyone, everytime, always.. Amen!❤️
Hope you are okay and that life is being kind to you, Mari. Hugs❤️
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Amen
My daughter has been a defense attorney for her entire career, she has one of the most stressful trials of her career this week. I am leaving in a few minutes to go to court to see her in action for the first time since she began practicing law. Prayers for God to be with her, and for justice to prevail. ❤️
Praying, Teresa ❤️
Teresa, how awesome for you to ‘see her in action’! Prayers for peace and confidence to replace any anxiety! ❤❤❤
Praying for your daughter teresa,!
Praying for your daughter.
That would be a treat to see her in action! I have such a new respect for defense lawyers, not only my friend being a public defender, but in my ministry of helping those that have done wrong but need mercy and grace. Praying she makes a difference for Mercy and Grace today! And that the client appreciates that and humbled!
Praying
Praying. How incredible.
Late to the table, but I pray all was well and that your ‘mama pride’ was on a level that praises God and you may take days to come down from.:)❤️
What a beautiful devotion and scripture pairing! Sometimes when I pray I feel as though I have to follow a checklist before I get to my request. Praying over friends & family? Check. Thanking God for blessings? Check. Praising Him for waking me up and giving me a new day? Check. Then I get into my requests. I imagine God up in Heaven saying “I know your heart my child. I don’t need your fancy language. I just need your trust.”
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Same and we just had a great discussion in Sunday School about this! ❤
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I was reminded of James when reading today’s devotional.
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” (James 1:6–8)
All God wants is for us to trust Him…whatever He promised, He WILL do!!! He is faithful!!
AMEN.❤️
I am just like Abby, fearful to get excited, always waiting for the worst. Today was such a sweet reminder of my pregnancy with Iris. The Lord gave me this verse to hold onto and I would say it almost every day, who when his son asks for a fish would his father give him a snake. I would always remind myself, my father gave me this good gift. it’s not a snake. so here I am again, reminding myself of that same truth.
He definitely is the Good. Good Father. ❤️
So powerful Lanie. Thank you!
I think you are right, Lanie, we move on so quickly sometimes we forget what He has done..
BUT GOD.. Amen.❤️
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9
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Ask, seek, knock – all three verbs are continuous.
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They speak of earnestness and intensity.
…thoughts to ponder
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@Traci – I am so sorry to hear of Deb’s condition. Prayers for her and her husband, and for you her dear friend. ❤️
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Happy Tuesday She’s
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Thank you Sharon
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From the Enduring Word commentary on Luke 11:13: “How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! God especially loves to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. We never need doubt God’s desire to pour out His Spirit. The problem is in our receiving, not in God’s desire to give.”
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O, Lord, I need so much more of Your Spirit! I think what strikes me about this is how resistant I am to EMPTY myself, to make room to receive more of Him.
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CEE GEE – praying for your son’s family.
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MERCY – praying things go smoothly for the upcoming conference.
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TRACI GENDRON – praying God will bring you comfort in your sadness about Deb.
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ADRIENNE – sorry you’re going through social media drama. Praying for wisdom on next steps if any.
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WENDY B – praying you’re not experiencing any side effects from the medication today.
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SEARCHING – praying for Steve and friend’s DIL. Thrilled to hear the great news about Nate!
I have been sobbing this morning in sadness and honestly self pity for myself that I seem unable to fully give of myself to God. My doubts feel so large compared to my belief. I protect my heart over releasing myself fully to His and his goodness in my life. I don’t know how to get beyond this intense need for self preservation of my deepest inner core. I am comforted to know that I can keep knocking and keep seeking. I am comforted to know I am not the only one. Thank you Jesus for
Thank you, Debby ❤️ for being honest, vulnerable and sharing. Praying that as you face your doubts, your faith would be strengthened, your trust of the Lord’s love for you would increase and your fear of being fully His would be overcome. I have, and likely we all do, these same thoughts and doubts at least some of the time, in certain circumstances, when I want to hold onto something that creates distance between me and my Savior, like when I find myself asking whether I really need to let go of something that doesn’t fit who I am as a Christian, that isn’t pleasing to God, a favorite sin so to speak, like I’m both serpent and Eve talking to myself … is it really? Does the Bible say? But I’ve seen so and so say/do this?
Or when it’s something I know I should do but don’t want to so I work to justify my disobedience?
Let’s both/all keep asking, seeking, receiving and accepting God and His goodness while striving to grow closer to Him every day, tearing down what separates us from Him.
Amen Searching, beautifully said!❤️
Oh, Debby…. ask and you shall receive. Talk to God and tell him everything you just wrote in your post. Ask him to fill you. Ask him to give you the Holy Spirit. Ask and ask some more.
Yesss!❤️
Debby you are not alone! I’m so many ways. I also doubt so much. We are here for you and walking with you!
Thanks for the commentary and especially the prayers! ❤❤❤
Thank you. ❤️
Praying over these requests
“EMPTY myself, to make room to receive more of Him”- amen, and oh so hard at times. DEBBY, praying that you will let go of your fear to fully step into the goodness of GOD. Like KELLY said, it is making room, the old will be slowly cleared out, in stages, with new and amazing things to come in. Sometimes we grieve the old and familiar things too much and that is a struggle of mine as well. Hugs sister.
Amen, and with you Mercy in that thought.❤️
Praying your prayer alongside you Kelly..❤️
♥️ Sermon last week spoke of the importance of taking time to pray and the ask was that we take this week to pray persistently to help make it a practice. Today’s reading re-unforced this.
Happy Tuesday and Amen.
The descriptors that come to my mind are humble, honest and sincere. Yes, we know God knows already, but what He really wants is us to first come and tell Him and second – like Tina, to believe His outcome will be for His glory and our good. Even (and this is where I struggle) if the answer is not what we were hoping for.
How grateful we are for Your tender, loving heart Father! Help us trust Your answers and continue to come with our needs. Amen.
Amen Sally! Humble, honest, and sincere!
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My mind and heart went straight to my ‘croquembouche’ story!
The prayers on my way to the venue…
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I think I need to back track.
A friend asked me to make her sons christening cake, I love making cakes, so I said yes, I’d love to. Her next words, “I’d love a croquembouche wrapped in spun sugar..”
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Hmm!
I have made choux pastry, profiteroles etc, but I had never made a tower of profiteroles wrapped in spun sugar before!
I was so busy the lead up to this event I had no time to practice, but I believed I had time when I got to the venue, to play around, as I had use of the kitchen.
So morning of event, I began to panic, what ifs kept popping in my head., I began to pray, sing worship songs and just hand over my dilemma to God.
When I arrived at the venue, the receptionist informed me the kitchen was being used by the chef preparing the meal for said event!
After talking, pleading (and silently praying) with the reluctant chef, he gives me 45 minutes use of the kitchen..
OMG!
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BUT GOD..
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I have always known since the day I went ‘all in’ with God, He would always be close, yet even in this, as I prayed and praised, I was hesitant!
My friend and I set to, she filled the profiteroles, I started making the spun sugar.. as I praised and glorified God, not because i was ‘bribing’ Him to come through for me, but because I truly trusted in the outcome good , bad, or not quite what was ordered.
If I told you, that the tower was completed, set up and the kitchen was cleaned ready for the chef.. would you believe me?
You should have seen the chefs face, and his assistants, they ran to the dining room to check!
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BUT GOD..
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This story, if it were not mine, would cause me to wonder too.. but He was present in my 45 minutes of need, but also present for me all the way!
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The key here is to trust, wholeheartedly, believe with every fibre of your being, and categorically, know your God with all your heart, mind and soul. He has your good and betterment at His heart every minute of ever day.. even when..
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I give thanks in everything, everything!
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Thank you Father God. Thank you..
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AMEN.
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It’s a wet Tuesday here, but you know what? That does not stop me sending love hugs, and prayers across the pond.❤️❤️❤️
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Every blessing you pour out I’ll turn to praise, when darkness closes in Lord,
Still I will say..
Blessed be the name of the Lord..
..comes to mind as I sign off..❤️
Wow you must be some baker! That is not an easy feat to pull off!
Tami, I do love to bake, but that day, it was not I… BUT GOD..❤️
Wow, Tina! I love to watch The Great British Baking Show. I can just see you on there making that spun sugar creation! ❤️
Yes love that show! Tina should apply!!
You guys, thanks for the vote of confidence,..❤️
I am proud to say I remembered the ‘croquembouche’ story! Just not the name, lol!
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Thank you for the reminder of God’s goodness, love and provision!!! Love you ❤️
Miracle working God! That’s amazing!
Spun sugar is no joke!! I’d love to be in a kitchen with you— there’s probably so much to learn ❤️
I have a similar story I think I’ve shared before about cooking for a birthday banquet I hosted with a clock running out and waaay less help than expected… somehow it all got done in time! So I hear your story and say AMEN- I’ve lived it, too!
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Isn’t He wonderful? I am forever in awe.!,Daily to be fair..❤️
Love this story!
Me too.. the goodness of God. Amen❤️
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❤️ Hope all is well with you Martha.. hugs.❤️
I loved hearing that one again!
Write the book!!❤️
And I love that song. :)
On it B.. one day soooon..❤️
Pray without ceasing!♥️
Amen..❤️