Megan's prayer: Rich Mullins' "Hold Me, Jesus"

Although I have been in school for over 15 years now, there was something about this semester that had me terrified. Last night, the night before classes started, I was worried about all the new classes, the new teachers, the pending assignments and exams. There was no one particular thing that worried me so much, but just the idea of jumping into something new again.

This morning wasn’t much better. I was so nervous that I was feeling physically sick to my stomach. My hands were sweating, and my heart was racing. Looking back, that would have been the perfect opportunity to turn to God, to pray for peace, to talk to him and have him help calm my nerves. It would have been the perfect time to listen to today’s song.

So hold me Jesus, ‘cause I’m shaking like a leaf.

What a simple and wonderful thought. Just being held by Jesus, allowing his presence to calm my nerves. Allowing his arms to wrap around me, offering me the comfort and support I so desperately need. It almost makes me look forward to next time that I’m feeling worried or anxious.

Erinnicole's Prayer: Rich Mullins' "Hold Me, Jesus"

i absolutely love this song. it encompasses everything i want faith to be...because when i am scared, i like to be held. the physical and personal attachment is a really strong reminder that i'm not doing it alone. but like in the song, its really difficult to just give it all up.

Surrender don't come natural to me

again with the whole thing about me having the do things on my own and not being able to accept help. but i think...keeping in mind this song...that Jesus wants to help me. and i know that seems like it should be so obvious but its so easy for me to forget. to remember that He is my Prince of Peace and He will help me when everything seems lost and the mountains seem so much bigger than my faith. God, my prayer is for You to remind me daily to trust in Your Love for me, just like we discussed on my REAP retreat yesterday.

Marie's Prayer: Rich Mullins' "Hold Me Jesus"

When the mountains look so big
And my faith just seems so small

Sometimes, like this past week I feel like my problems and my past are these huge mountains. I feel like I need to climb over them but my faith and hope don't seem big enough to last. What I need to learn is that God can help me build these things and that when the time is right I will make it over them.

Sometimes I feel that other people have such strong feelings about different things. Some people have a very firm belief in love or hope or even in belief. I don't even know if I feel that strongly about anything right now, when all I want is something I can cling to and hold on to. My goal is to find that.

Chris' prayer: Rich Mullins' "Hold me, Jesus"

I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want
Than to take what You give that I need

I would come as no surprise to those that know me best that I can be extremely stubborn. In fact, it should come as no surprise to the readers of this blog, either, as I've mentioned it before. The need to be in control is something that I struggle with constantly. It even affects my faith life. Rather than following God's plan for me, I often feel the need to steer my own life, to have some kind of input into what I end up doing or who I end up being. Rather than being content to follow, I force my way to lead.

Fortunately for me, hope comes just a couple lines later, where we find out just how persistent and strong Jesus is:

Your grace rings out so deep,
It makes my resistance seem so thin.

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