Jen's prayer: Jars of Clay's "Weighed Down"

And are we illuminating?

I was talking to a friend tonight about how important it is for us to be a light to others. It's so easy for us to be in our bubbles and be with the same, like minded people all the time. We get in our comfort zones. At least I do. Maybe it's different for you. But when I read these lyrics that's what really stuck out to me, "Are we illuminating?" Jesus should be shining bright in us. And if that isn't what's going on, why not? What is weighing us down? That's something I'm going to be thinking about tonight and into tomorrow.

Megan's prayer: Jars of Clay's "Weighed Down"

I had so many prayers in my heart throughout the day. So many different things that I needed to talk to God about. Prayers asking for forgiveness, prayers of thanksgivings, and all sorts of other things I needed to talk to him about.

I had the opportunity to attend adoration tonight. In a very short hour and a half, I was able to talk to God about all of these things. I went into the night feeling weighed down, but a weight was definitely lifted during adoration.

Chris' prayer: Jars of Clay's "Weighed Down"

Our hearts … moved on by winds of everything

I know that this is certainly true in my life. My heart will be captured by something and I'll be so excited about it and so into it and ready to give my all to it, and the next moment, something else comes along and steals it away. My attention and effort turns to that thing until it is ultimately stolen away by yet another "passion." Anything and everything can grab my heart, my attention, but very few things can hold it for any length of time.

Unfortunately, my spirituality isn't as much one of those "few things" as I would like it to be. I am always conscious of my faith, and how it is going, and I really never feel like abandoning it, but if I took a look at my choices, and particularly my effort, I know I could tell when I was distracted by something else going on. I keep waiting for Jesus to grab my heart and not let go, failing to realize that I'm really the one who decides where it stays. I need to work on that.


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Katie's prayer: Jars of Clay's "Weighted Down"

I've gotten into this habit of listening to the song of day throughout my entire day, beginning by listening to it non-stop during my shower. It's a great time to be alone with me, my thoughts, my prayers, and the song for the day. The only down side is that I can't really look at the lyrics. Normally, that isn't a problem, today was different. I couldn't understand a thing except for the 4 "weighted down"s at the end. Everything else sounded like just mumbling.

So whilst taking my shower and not understanding a thing being said, I began to think that was very relevant to my life right now. God has closed a few doors for me, but also opened more. In the past when it was time to make big decisions, I'd ask God for his advice, and my reply would be a big neon flashing sign "do this!" Not the case right now. All I'm hearing is "youth ministry." Ok God, how do you want me to fulfill that? Where am I supposed to do this youth ministry? The answer: mumbling. I'm starting to get worried God's not going to let me in on the secret of my life. God's kinda in a way abandoning me.

As I'm formulating this thought more, it's time to exit the shower. I turn off the water and suddenly, I understand every word being said. I hear it all! No more mumbling. And I realize, God's not abandoning me. God's not mumbling the answers to my questions. I just hear mumbling because of all the noise around me. I'm not focusing solely on God. I'm allowing the pressures and deadlines and issues of the world around me to cloud the voice of God who's telling me exactly what to do.