Only By Prayer

Where the sacred and everyday meet

Welcome to Only By Prayer!

Please Excuse our Mess! 
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We are in the midst of redesigning our site, so things are in a bit of a mess! We should be much better in just a day or two!

Grab a cup of coffee or tea, get comfortable, and explore what God has for you today. At Only By Prayer, we’re all about helping you to bring the sacred into the everyday. Perhaps you’d like to read a relevant blog post, listen to a short Reflections podcast, or learn something new about prayer. If you’d like you can also participate in our Prayer Across America Journey.  These and many other discoveries await you. Be sure to let us (Mary and Jane) know what you think by leaving a comment, and thanks for the visit!

Journey: A Good Name

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The birth of a baby is a joyous event! The parents to-be spend hours preparing the nursery, buying baby paraphernalia, baby-proofing the house and most importantly, choosing a good name. Today our Bible study focuses on the meaning and importance of names.

Psalm 23 Remix

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Psalm 23 is one of the the most well-known parts of the Bible. People who do not claim to be religious can quote parts of Psalm 23. Christians have become so familiar with this beloved psalm we almost cease to hear it. What we need is a Psalm 23 remix- a fresh look at an […]

life words

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youtu.be/fKSpSM1YUY0

you spoke your death words. how easily they dripped from your tongue. words without grace. words without love. words without hope. words without life. did you pray before you spoke to me? did you see the soul before you, so loved by God, before you let loose your darts? the enemy always comes to kill […]

journey: shelter in place

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The sky looked doubtful; the weatherman had forecast rain. Should I go or shelter in place? I glanced at the sky and decided to chance a walk anyway. I left the house and kept a watchful eye on the darkening sky. drip. drip. drip. Half way through my walk the rain began to fall. However, […]

peace

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Short and Sweet: Green Pastures by Mary Kane

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Nourishment and refreshment for the soul.

The LORD is my shepherd:I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Psalm 23:1-3

Because Jesus is our Good Shepherd, will lack for no good thing.

Knowing that God supplies everything we need pertaining to life and righteousness, our souls can find rest.

In order to experience His rest, we must lie down, but not just anywhere. According to our verse, God “makes His sheep lie down in green pastures.” I began to ponder why God made His sheep lie down in green pastures and why sheep find green pastures particularly peaceful. The answer?

Food.

The sheep rest peacefully because they are surrounded by their favorite fodder, green grass. The flock did not need to worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow was already provided for … as far as the eye could see.
We are God’s sheep. We also find peace by resting on our green pastures,  the word of God. “For man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” We can rest because our tomorrows are already provided for, and we can partake as often and as long as we like. The more we feast upon God’s word, the more peace we shall have.

If your life lacks peace, and your soul is troubled, come to God and rest in His Word.

Action Points:

  1. Set a consistent time to read God’s word. My favorite time is morning. Get up 15, 20, 0r 30 minutes early and start your morning feeding your soul with God’s Word. You will find healing and restoration for your heart and soul.
  2. Download an audible version of the Bible.  Listen while you are driving, running, or working out at the gym. I listen at night while I’m drifting off to sleep (double peace!).
  3. Set a goal for Scripture memory. Copy meaningful verses on note cards and memorize them while waiting at traffic lights, in checkout lines or while walking.
  4. If you’re a techy, you’ll enjoy  joining an online Scripture memory group such as Siesta Scripture Memory. Click on the link and sign up today!

Advent Devotional Wednesday, December 4

More Than A Baby coverKindleThank you for joining us for Day 4 of our Advent devotional. May I just say that if you need peace today, you will love the music selection for the day, Hope Is Dawning by Aaron Keyes. The lyrics and melody simply soothe the soul. If you’d like a bit of background about Advent, you can read Day One’s entry.

Simply click on the link below for Day 4. Feel free to share any thoughts in the comment section of this post.

Wednesday, December 4 Advent Devotional

Bible Study: May She Rest in Peace by Mary Kane

ID-10035297Over the past few months desperation has caused me to seek the heart of God concerning rest and peace and I believe that He has revealed to me three crucial factors pertaining to His rest and peace. When we incorporate these three things into our lives we will indeed experience the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding. To do the study, May She Rest in Peace, please click on the link.

 

Image courtesy of evgeni dinev / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A Little Sanctuary by Jane VanOsdol

Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Although I have cast them far off among the Gentiles, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet I shall be a little sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.”’ Ezekiel 11:16

I stumbled across this verse as I was reading this morning and was really struck by the phrase “yet I shall be a little sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.” The Hebrew word for sanctuary also means “sacred place” or “holy place.” God was judging Israel for its sin and had scattered His people among foreigners, yet God still was a sanctuary for them right in the midst of where they were.

Jesus is still doing that very same thing for us today. No matter where we are, through our faith in Jesus, God has planted in us His Holy Spirit who resides in each one of us. Are you a missionary living in a foreign land? God will be your holy place. Are you traveling for work this week? God will be your sanctuary of refreshment. Are you trying to survive in a hostile work environment? God is your familiar refuge. Are you living out your calling in your busy home with little children on your hip or teens coming and going? God is your oasis of peace. Perhaps you’re in your golden years. God is your inspiration for serving others.

No matter where your corner of the world is, remember that God is your sanctuary, your holy place, your home. Nestle your heart in Him and draw from His well of love and security as you serve others today in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Pray on!

Image: dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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