My dear friend, I ran into you the other day. I noticed the faraway look in your eyes, the ever-so-slight tapping of one foot. I know you were thinking about the zillion and one items on your to-do list. Maybe you were wishing there were a way you could put me on Bluetooth and multitask the way you love to do with phone calls. How did I know? Because I often think like that, too. But sometimes, we need to slow down. Sometimes, we need to meet face to face. Last week, we talked about how God’s Word informs and inspires our prayers. I want to add to that today with this week’s PrayerKeeper tip: Take time to read God’s Word with a heart of prayer. In other words, when you read the Bible, don’t just read it. Don’t try to plan your day or pack lunches during your Bible-reading time. Instead, ask God to show you the jewels of prayer locked inside His Word. Yes, some lie glistening on the surface: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin” (Ps. 51:1-2). Other gems may even identify themselves with words like “I bow my knees,” which comes just before one of my favorite prayers in the New Testament: “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:14b, 16-19). But some treasures reveal themselves only with time and care. When I read the story of Jacob and Esau, for example (Genesis 25-27), I pray for the many who struggle with a sibling relationship. When I read of a warrior who considered his own reputation more important than following the simple instructions passed on to him by a man of God, I pray for myself and others who, like Captain Naaman (2 Kings 5) often let pride play too great a role in our lives. Read the Word. Ask the Father to open your eyes to the prayers, hidden and otherwise, there. And let me know what you find (or have found) in the comments below, in an email (see “Contact Me” at the top of this page), or via social media. I’d love to share in your prayer journey, and your insights will touch others as well. For His glory, Marti...

My dear friend, So you’re wondering about how to fit prayer into your life. Or, more appropriately, how to fit more prayer into your life. After all, you already squeeze in eating and sleeping and working and preparing meals and running errands and–sometimes–exercise and relationships and HUNDREDS OF OTHER THINGS THAT ALL SCREAM FOR YOUR TIME. Right? Although some of the verbs vary, of course right. So how can you find time to pray? I won’t pretend to know the answer. But I will share, today and over the next few letters (formerly known as blog posts), what I’ve learned and am still learning. And maybe it will help. It might even become the answer to a prayer. First of all, please know that I don’t consider myself any kind of expert on prayer. Intercession is both a gift which God has given me and a task to which He has assigned me. I can’t approach it, then, without a sense of both wonder and responsibility. My prayers have no special power other than the power of Christ in me. And my advice has no special weight except as it carries the holy burden of God’s Word. So today’s tip for improving your prayer life is a simple one: Fit more of God’s Word into your life, and He’ll pour more prayer out of it. I’m not referring to a book that teaches you how to pray God’s Word (although I know of several good ones) or a set of Scriptures hand-picked to cover particular areas or relationships. Instead, I encourage you to spend time reading, studying, and even memorizing the Bible. I already acknowledged your full schedule. And now I want you to fit one more thing into it? Yes, because that one thing will transform the others. It will change your priorities. It will, especially as you read it over days and weeks and years, change you. And if you approach the Word with an open mind and heart, you’ll find yourself praying what you read. For example, part of my reading today was Psalm 141, which begins, “O Lord, I call upon you! Hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you!” Yes, I read these words, but I also prayed them. God’s Spirit took the words I was reading and applied them personally and specifically to my life and my situation. And even when the words of Scripture might not look as much like a prayer as this example, He can still do the same thing. We’ll talk more about that next time. But for now, let’s join together in asking God to help you fit more of His Word into...

The maxim “opposites attract” is almost too obvious in the almost-thirty-one-year marriage between my husband and me. He’s loud and boisterous. I’m quiet and (so they tell me) gentle. He loves action movies. I prefer old-fashioned musicals and romances. A military brat, he tells people he’s from “everywhere,” but none of his family’s many homes were above the Mason-Dixon line.  Until I moved to Texas during our engagement, I had never lived anywhere but southwestern or central Ohio. He loves coffee. I never touch the stuff. I love to garden. He stays as far away from anything related to flowers and plants as he can. But despite our many differences, we believe we have the most important things in common: a love for God. A commitment to relationships. A passion for missions and ministry. And of course, the five incredible young adult (our youngest two begin college this fall) children with whom God entrusted us. We also share a love for the arts. Tom is wired for music in the same way I am for words. Our children know that when we watch a movie, we never leave/turn it off until their dad sees all the music credits.  Most of the time, he and I understand and respect our individual needs to study, practice, and express our artistic passions. So when he told me the day before we left on our mission trip that he didn’t plan to bring his trumpet along, I was more than concerned. “You’re kidding. Why not?” I knew he had expressed some frustration with his practice since returning from a music mission trip to New York a few weeks earlier. What I didn’t know was that his practices had gone so poorly and his lip was so unresponsive that he thought he might have to give up playing forever. My former TRUTH member, nearly 50 years of trumpet-playing, professional musician husband not play his horn anymore? Unthinkable. “I just don’t think I’ll be able to do anything.” We talked a little more as I ever-so-gently reminded him that God had used his music on every international trip he’s taken. I couldn’t  imagine him leaving his horn behind, but I also knew the decision belonged to him. I prayed. In a few more minutes, I heard him practicing.  I kept on praying. And the next day, Tom’s trumpet went with us to training. Soon, I asked our prayer team (totaling more than 100) to pray. Somehow, my still-a-music-man made time to practice even on our busiest days. Writers write. Musicians practice. And Tom is the consummate musician. During our time here, he has played for two of our FUAGNEM (Fired Up And Going Nuts Every Minute) worship services. He’s interacted with several other musicians. And all...

This week marked the anniversary of my father’s death on June 10, 2012. I spent that day working and also thinking of the many ways he influenced my life and the person I have become. But I can’t think about my dad without also thinking of my mom and her many years of caregiving. Dad endured a two-plus year battle with oral cancer (and no, he never smoked or used tobacco) that metastasized. Mom transported him to countless medical appointments, waited for him during surgery, drove him five days a week for two different sets of radiation treatments, and managed the special dietary needs that came with the associated swallowing and other problems that developed. The accompanying picture was taken near the end of this difficult season. But Dad was also a diabetic for more than forty years. He suffered multiple toe amputations and other foot surgeries as well as dealing with neuropathy, glaucoma, and other diabetes-related issues. I know he would not have survived as long as he did without Mom’s patient weighing of portions, balancing of carbohydrates, dressing of wounds, and constant adjustments as his needs changed over time. To be honest, it took a while for me to think of her as a caregiver. To our family, and to Mom herself, she was simply doing what she did: loving my dad and taking care of his needs. And that’s what I see so many caregivers doing today. If you’re in that category, or you know someone who is, perhaps you’ll join in this prayer: Lord, Today I lift up those giving care to a loved one. I know they are on a journey that may seem without end—or without an end that provides relief. You are not only the great Physician but the One who knows, the One who sees. I praise You for Your choosing and calling of each one who cares for someone they love. I thank You for equipping them for this wonderful, terrible task. Some of them are taking this journey willingly but sad that it is needed. Others never wanted to begin traveling but felt they had no choice. Some would love to find another road. Some are clinging to both the journey and the one for whom they provide care. Father God, You see their needs. You know their hurts and joys. Would You reach down today to touch those who care for loved ones? Would You give them a smile when circumstances bring tears? Would You add extra strength to all they extend? Would You rise up within them to give just the right word, just the right touch, just the right encouragement at just the right time? Our...

“No one is ever over-encouraged.” I’ve often heard my husband repeat that line. As an ordained minister for almost 25 years now, Tom knows. He sees people every day who are beaten down, drained, or disgusted. He hears stories of words that hurt rather than heal, of those who sow seeds of discord rather than unity, and of circumstances that, without extra care, threaten to suck away joy and peace. Tom understands because, of course, our lives are not exempt any of those things, either. But much better than our understanding is the truth that Jesus knows and cares as well. During the weeks leading up to Easter, I reviewed the Passion story through the various gospels and realized anew how often Jesus was misunderstood and mistreated. What happened in His last week was horrific, but even before that, He was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3). As I pray today, then, I’m praying for all of us. Will you join me? Father, today I lift up those who need a dose, maybe even a big dose, of encouragement. I thank You that You know each need, each hurt, each wound, and each cry. I thank You that for You, the little hurts are not little, because You care for us as a mother tenderly cares for her child. Lord, would You speak to those who need words of affirmation and hope? Would you let them know through people, through circumstances, through words and through Your Word that they matter to You? Please remind them that You love them as much as You love Your beloved Son. Lord, in order for them to hear the truth of encouragement, they will also need to stop listening to lies. Please, God, break any negative cycles or toxic patterns in their lives so they can truly hear from You. Remind them of their instant access to You by the shed blood of Your Son, and block the enemy when he tries to enter in. Give them Your grace. Give them Your power. And send them each that dose of encouragement that say, “You matter to me.” “You’re special.” “Your presence makes a difference.” “I’m so glad you’re here.” As we pray together and ask for encouragement, Lord, may we also surrender to be used as messengers of encouragement. Help us speak words of life and peace. May we be Your instruments of love and blessing. In Your holy name I pray, AMEN. Do you need encouragement? Does something or someone have you in the grip of doubt or despair? Feel free to share your prayer need in the comments below or email me through the link at the...

This week, I’m rereading the Passion accounts in all four of the gospels. And each day, I’m posting a prayer that relates to my reading in some way. Yesterday, I read of the woman who anointed Jesus for burial, so my prayer was for those who are pouring out their offerings. Today, I read of the betrayal of Jesus by one of His own. How must it have felt for Jesus to know his own trusted disciple was trading His life for thirty pieces of silver? How must it have felt to break bread with one who had such darkness in his heart? How must it feel today for Jesus to keep loving, serving, and giving to me when I turn away from Him at the slightest opportunity? When I pray for those who have betrayed Him, I’m praying for you. I’m praying for me. Will you join me? Father, the word “betrayal” carries such a dark burden. It implies a breaking of trust, a turning away from a relationship. And how often have I done that with You? Loving Lord, I know I have betrayed You with my words. Like Judas, I’ve allowed lines to leave my mouth that do not reflect Your heart. I’ve said what first popped into my head rather than waiting to measure it against Your standard. I’ve lied. I’ve cared more for my own reputation than for the truth. Forgive me. Forgive those who are like me. Walk with me into the future and teach me to lift up Your life and truth. Gracious God, I have also betrayed You with my actions. I’ve moved away from You and toward the enemy. I’ve acted as though You were not in charge. I’ve run with what I wanted rather than consulting or considering You. Forgive me. Forgive those who are like me. Teach us to deny not You but ourselves and our own heedless, helpless way. Grant us the grace to keep seeking after You. Sovereign Savior, help us who betray You without considering the depth of our actions, who deny You without counting the cost of our choices. Grant us Your grace that allows us to keep You at the forefront of our thoughts. Help us to put You first and ourselves last. Teach us know You in a deeper way, our Lord and our God, as we walk with You through this week where we remember your gift to us of living, dying, and rising from the dead. In Your holy name I pray—AMEN. I know you have betrayed Him, too—but even reading this prayer is evidence that your heart is turning toward Him. Feel free to share your prayer need or praise...