I have a READ review post scheduled for tomorrow, but today, I want to highlight one of my articles that now appears in More to Life magazine. “Finish Well: Parenting Teens through the Year” gives some practical tips for walking through each season of the year with your teen. Hop over to check it out, and feel free to leave a comment,...

Today, you’ll find me over on the blog for the Christian Authors Network, posting a thoughtful interview with author and speaker Maureen Pratt. Maureen, an award-winning playwright, has taken her struggles with hypothyroidism and lupus and turned them into a blog and books which minister to many. Check out the interview...

My late father was a fixer. He grew up on a farm and learned early to use his hands, a few tools, and his mechanical insight to fix almost anything. I’ve seen him take apart everything from dishwashers to riding lawn mowers and put them back together in better working order. As a child, I brought him countless broken toys, waiting confidently as he turned them over in his large hands to “Fix it, Daddy.” The past few years have brought a new sense of brokenness to my life. Circumstances, experiences, and relationships have made me aware of my own inability to manipulate, manage, or fix anything. Because I know I’m not alone in my weakness, I offer today’s prayer: Dear Father, I’m coming to you today as the only One who can “fix it.” I stand before you to place my brokenness, my weakness, my inability in your powerful hands. Lord, receive this offering as all I have to give. I ask you to take it and use it for your glory, no matter what. I believe you work all things together for good to those who love you and are called according to your purpose. I trust you to do that in your way and in your time. Thank you, dear Lord, for your enduring presence in my life. Thank you for not pushing me aside or telling me you’re dealing with more important matters. Thank you that you knew all about my shattered condition long before I offered myself to you. Thank you for your promise to pour out your grace and to extend your power through my weakness. Help me learn yet again that my inability is the vehicle for your support, my confusion the avenue for your wisdom, my lack the door that opens the way for your abundance. I praise you because you have it figured out. I praise you that I need not cling to the past. I praise you that I can relinquish the people I love and the situations I hate, the relationships that hurt and the ones that delight, all to you. Holy God, reveal your power. Show me your glory. And work, oh, please work, as only you can. In your mighty name I pray, AMEN. Do you have a broken place in your life? Are you asking God to “Fix it, Daddy?” Feel free to share in the comments so others may join you in prayer or contact me through the link to the right of this post.  I would be more than honored to add my prayers to...

Father, I love you. I praise you because you are sovereign and thank you for your unfailing love. I bow before you and lift up my hands unto your name, the great name that is above all others. Lord, I cannot give this New Year to you because you already own it. Instead, I come to you to acknowledge you as Lord over 2013 and over my life. I offer myself to you, day by day and moment by moment. I acknowledge your authority over me and surrender to your perfect will in every detail. Thank you, God, that you see the big picture and the many small details. Thank you for the ways you will press, mold, shape, and challenge me this year. Thank you for your Word which will be used of your Spirit to make me more like you. Thank you, Father, for my family. Thank you for the joys and concerns we share. Thank you that you intend each trial and triumph to bring us closer to one another and closer to you. I ask you to invade each of our days and to make your presence known in mighty ways. I ask for the fruit of your Spirit and the assurance of your love. Thank you for giving us each other. Thank you for giving us yourself. Thank you, Jesus, for my friends. You’ve blessed me with relationships old and new. May each one reflect your character and your purpose in our lives. As I move through this year, show me new ways to bless those around me, new freedom to proclaim your truth. There’s much more I could say, but I want to listen, too. Lord, grant me ears to hear your voice and a discerning spirit to block out all others. As I walk with you into the newness of this year, may I continue to hope in your goodness, trust in your plans, and love others in the wonderful ways you have loved me. Protect me from the evil one and keep me in your name, the powerful name of your Son in whom I place my life and my prayer, AMEN. Do you have a prayer request for the New Year? Please leave it as a comment below or, if you’d prefer to keep it more private, email me instead. May you experience his peace and know his power throughout...

A quick pre-Christmas post (my mom flies in today from Ohio for a visit) to send you over to the Christian Authors Network blog where I share an insightful interview with award-winning novelist (and my friend), Susan Meissner. Check it out...

In my quiet time today, I read the following: “My soul weeps because of grief, Strengthen me according to Your word” (Psalm 119:28). My soul weeps because of grief. This year, I understand that as never before. And so I offer today’s prayer for those whose souls also weep—and who are looking for strength beyond themselves. Feel free to pray it with me as your own. Dear Father, I confess to you my heavy heart. It’s weighed down with sadness for the losses I’ve experienced over the past several months. It seems I haven’t healed from one before another strikes. Loss has left me feeling alternately numb, angry, lonely, and just plain tired. Grief hurts. Lord, I don’t mean to complain. You give me daily reminders of your mercy and love. The beautiful sunrise this morning caused me yet again to look to you in awe. I know you’ve given me so much, and I am so grateful. In my walk with you and my relationships with family and friends, I have the most precious of treasures. But still, I hurt. I come to you now asking you to forgive this weakness and fill me with your strength. Replace my lack of trust with confidence in your plan, your will, and your ways. Use every bit of my sorrow to make me more like you. In your gentleness, make me great—great in spirit, great in love, that I may comfort others with the comfort you’ve given me. God, I need you today to show me your presence. I need you to reveal your power. Please do as you say and strengthen me according to your word. The Scriptures hold so much truth. Let me grasp on to them —and to you—as if my life depended on it. Because it does. Again, Lord, I don’t mean to complain about my sorrows. But I know the child who runs to you will never be turned away. Take me on your lap and hold me, Father. I long to find my comfort in you. In your holy name I pray—AMEN.  Has this been a season of loss for you? Do you find yourself bathed in grief or sorrow? Feel free to leave a comment below or email me at the “contact” link on my website, www.martipieper.com . I would be honored to pray for...