The changing season isn't just right outside my window, its also right inside of me.

October 6, Dan will be a guest preacher for our annual church revival. I love that here in the south churches have revivals. He will be talking about a couple different pieces of the armor of God. I'm so excited for him. He is so great. This next Tuesday in preparation for the revival, our home will be a prayer cottage to pray for this event. I'm so so so excited about this. I've already started getting my home ready to welcome all my wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ. I'm so excited to bring them in and go to God with them. I've already bought some different teas (already have coffee) and will be making chocolate chip pumpkin bread (maybe a loaf with some nuts). The pumpkin candles are out as are my cozy quilts, autumn wreaths and garlands, throw blankets and pillows...autumn is God's most precious season to me...until February... then it's spring. ;)

God has been drawing Dan and I out and doing an overhaul on our perception of what this life is supposed to be like and I feel like this opportunity to open our home to those we have come to love so very very much is just so much a special part of all of that. Call me crazy, but my eyes well up just imagining people here in my home going to the LORD in prayer and petition and thanksgiving. Oh how Dan and I prayed this home would be used for such a precious purpose. Two years we have been in this house and we have used it for ministry and to just welcome our friends but somehow I feel like that prayer hasn't really been answered until now. I believe that even though the house was ready for ministry, Jesus' home in our hearts wasn't. God has been doing a massive remodel in our hearts (which won't end until the day we see Him face to face) and I am just so humbled and blessed at this time to see things happening the way He is making them.

There is so very very much to be praying for. My heart is burdened for the financial burdens many of those I love are facing. My heart hurts for those I love with struggling marriages, way ward children, self centered hearts. I want to scoop them all up like I do Sarah in my arms and hold them close and sing Jesus Loves You into their hearts. I want to be a safe place for the weary and heavy laden. I'm so insufficient to the task but I know God's Holy Spirit lives in me, I know He is able. My prayer is that I grow, that God's light grows brighter in me.

Not that I'm known for a schedule, I talked a while about the awesome plans for September. Things haven't exactly happened the way I planned. I think that is OK though, 'cause they are happening the way God plans I think. Next week I just might focus on sharing prayers here, posting prayers and sharing prayer topic links. Here is my first prayer to start it off.

Heavenly Father,

I pray You make me poor in spirit so that Your Holy Spirit will shine rich and strong in me. Help me to know how to mourn, to share my sorrows and frustrations that I will not build walls around my soul or harden my heart to the mourning of others. Use me as a comforter as I learn to be comforted by others. Lord, as I walk with You and You reveal Your character, love and justness to me, I will become more meek and humble before You. Wipe away the pride and my stubborn attitude so that in my meekness You will be mighty, bold and sure in me.

Father, this world is so full of tempting idols, style, popularity, success, money, food, addictions for every fleshly desire from drugs, alcohol, and porn to recognition, wealth (fame) and happiness. I have no doubt that their is not any sin or temptation from Satan that I am resistant to. So I pray LORD that You fill my every particle, corner and hidden nook with a hunger and thirst for righteousness. I want You to be what consumes my every thought and drives my every action.

You are merciful and mighty God. You have shown me great mercy Father. I want to have that same mercy for Your children regardless of where they are in their journey; pit, valley or mountain top. Father, it is my sin and flesh that makes Your full character and the fullness of Jesus not clear to me. I pray on this journey together, You daily and step by step purify my heart that You become more and more known to me and I grow more and more in-love with You. With all the strife, conflict, pride and other sin in this world (and in my own heart), Lord, war division is rampant. Marriages, partnerships, churches, countries are divided and broken. I pay You use all of Your work in me and Your Holy Spirit to make me a peace maker to this world. Not a peace keeper that avoids conflict, but face the conflict head on and stop Satan in his tracks. Use me as Your ambassador to this earth to bring reconciliation and healing so that this world will turn back to You.

I am reminded Father, as You make me into what is the result of such a prayer that I will be persecuted. It will all be seen as radical to Your enemies and crazy to those who don't know you. Be strong in me Father, for I know it was persecution and even death that made You shine brighter in the lives of Your disciples. So very many many Christ followers who have suffered for your glory are rejoicing with You even now and will for all eternity. I do not ask for persecution, but neither do I want to hide from it. Be strong in me. Shine ever brighter in me.

Amen

Praise be the name of God forever and ever. Power and wisdom are His. It is God who changes times and season, deposes kings and establishes kings. He reveals wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things. He knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with Him. Daniel 2:20-23