Freely Speaking with Debbie

It’s early, my favorite time of the day.  Time for a cup of coffee and connection.  I look through the morning paper and catch up with what’s happening in our community, state, and the world—page after page of headlines that primarily reflect challenging issues, sadness, trauma, and trouble.  My heart hurts with each page.  I shake my head at what others have done or said, for what seems to be most important and yet is not important at all.  With each page, I seem to think, LORD, help us.

Have you found yourself doing the same?

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 NLT, “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Psalm 5:3 NLT says, “Listen to my voice in the morning Lord.  Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.”

These early mornings spur connection to my Lord, prayers, and conversations with the one who listens.  The Word also says, in Hebrew 4:16 NLT, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.  There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

As a caregiver, my days are filled with challenges.  Without having a Father in heaven to talk to, moment by moment, I don’t think I could make it most days.  Prayer is connection, it’s a conversation, and it is something we are to do continually.  Prayer is relationship; it’s honesty, it’s calming, and is also a form of worship.

I heard a sermon online one morning by pastor Max Lucado; he said, “worship is setting our face on our Father’s face.”  I believe prayer is an excellent way to keep our face on the Father; it calms us, keeps us, and it can save us.

So, when the world is weighing heavy on you, remember to pray, talk to your Father in heaven, and keep your eyes on Him.