Megan's prayer: Cheer Up Charlie's "We Cry Out"

…to be whole again…

I’m not sure where this idea originally came from, but I remember learning that there is a hole in our hearts that only God can fill. I simply love this idea. It is one area in our lives in which we are all on a level playing field. Money won’t buy us something to fill this hole. Our looks and our achievements aren’t the solution to filling the hole. The answer is God. He is waiting for us, waiting to fill that hole in our hearts. He wants to help us to be whole again.

Lord, help me to be whole again.

Marie's Prayer: Cheer Up Charlie's "We Cry Out"

We cry out for your grace and love again
We cry out

When I am praying at night before I go to sleep, I cry out. Not just for me and the things I feel are unjust in my life, but for everyone I know who are worse off than I. As some of you may know I am not very graceful...but I ask God every night for His grace so I can go one more day. I cry out for Gods love because there's this weird feeling in me that I don't have it. I am ashamed to admit that I doubt even though I know I shouldn't. I feel like I need to fit in somewhere and I sometimes feel like I don't belong anywhere. Like I'm putting on an act in front of everyone, even myself, telling people I'm fine or even when I tell them I'm not fine I feel like I'm making a big show of my suffering. I hate feeling like I'm too focused on me and I don't say anything. I let myself fall back into that place of complacency. That is when I cry out to God like I do now. To help me, no matter what.

Erinnicole's Prayer: Cheer Up Charlie's "We Cry Out"

I was trying to truly listen to this song with an open heart and really focus on the words today. Each day, I try to do this, but today it seemed especially important. The message that I found was nothing earth-shattering - quite the contrary. As I logged on to get the song 'o the day, I was thinking to myself, I have a tendency of relating my faith life to how God works in my life through my struggles. Which I have noticed many people tend to do - which is great because it is only praising the triumphs of our Lord, of course!! But I have so many blessings that were merely bestowed upon me because God loves me, not as a result of something hard I needed to overcome.

from dark to light

I think I too often focus on the dark and how to escape it...and even though I typically do that through God, I should pray for the sight to see the light! Not with my typical viewpoint of light to dark...it isn't that God gives me good things, and then sends a hardship. It is that He gives me both but when the struggles get to be too much, He pulls me back into the light to remind me it is there - because I so often forget. My prayer is one that I am reiterating from a retreat a few weeks ago, that God may introduce me to the darkness, so I learn how to rejoice in the light! He has given so much and there is so much for me to return. I cry out of this darkness and INTO the Light.

Chris' prayer: Cheer Up Charlie's "We Cry Out"

There are many times in my life where I find myself complacent. I don't like how something is going or how something ended up, but I'm too apathetic to bother changing it. Instead, I tell myself that I'll get to it later, or that it will change itself eventually. I'm actually pretty good at convincing myself that it will.

The problem is, of course, it rarely does. Things change only when they are forced to change, myself included. I can only stop this cycle of complacency and apathy, whether it be at work, in my social circle, or in my prayer life, when I am forced to change.

Fortunately, today God reminds me that I am always able to find a way to change in Him. He is there waiting for me, urging me, and, at times, forcing me to cry out to Him. He is waiting to help me grow, to become a more loving and gracious person. I just feel like I need that push in my life right now.

There’s no changing tide
That will shake our lives
So in Him we’ll find a way

iTunes | Lyrics

Megan's prayer: Chris Tomlin's "King of Glory"

Love is a great thing. Really, I love it. And I am fortunate to be surrounded by it constantly. I feel the love that others have for me, and I know of the love I have for others. I feel God’s love pouring down on me. I am even aware of the love that I, and others, have for inanimate objects. It’s true, I "love" pizza.

And yet, with all of this love surrounding me, sometimes I think I forget to share it. I’m just so happy with the love that I am feeling, I forget to show others how much I love them, how much God loves them. It’s not like the love is going to run out, it will only keep growing; yet sometimes I just want to be selfish and keep it to myself.

Today’s song suggests a different approach:

Tell everyone
How great the love

Obviously, this makes the most sense. I should be shouting out on the streets how much I am loved, and sharing with others how much God loves them. It is something to rejoice in, to share with everyone.

Chris' prayer: Chris Tomlin's "King of Glory"

Sometimes when I'm asked to pray in front of others, I get nervous. When asked for volunteers to lead spontaneous prayer, I often shy away. I can do great with a piece of paper, a pen, and some time, but I often feel like the prayers that I make up on the spot aren't "good enough." Or, at least they aren't to the quality that I've heard of some of my friends, family, and mentors. My prayer-leading abilities pale in comparison to theirs, or so I sometimes think.

God is here today to tell me, through this song, that that is simply not true. A magnificent prayer sung by Tomlin, this song contains two three-syllable words. Every word in this song is one that most are able to read before second grade. This song, this prayer, contains no magical or difficult words, no overly scholarly poetic phrases...just words. The power in those words lies with the One we are singing about. He is what makes these words, and everything He touches, strong and mighty.

My words, no matter how small or elementary, are plenty good enough.


YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Erinnicole's Prayer: Chris Tomlin's "King of Glory"

The Lord, strong and mighty

The word "mighty" is one that I have heard at least once a week since I was born. It is really abundant in the Bible and in any description of the Lord. But it never meant anything to me, that is to say I have never stopped to consider what the word "mighty" truly means. How much power it actually holds - or that fact that it is almost never used to describe any human thing, because it holds so much weight that we cannot comprehend. a few things pop into mind, some are exaggerations from the media and some are things that could be "mighty" in an Earthly way. But none are MIGHTY in the truest sense of the word.

Last weekend, there was a REAP retreat for members of the REAP team (as opposed to us giving one). It was presented by Oddwalk Ministries (I recommend checking them out, they are very talented) and it was basically just a day of fun and light prayer. A lot of praising God for all that He has blessed us with. But at the end, they closed with what was to be the Gospel the next day, which was Jesus being baptized by John. They projected the words up onto the screen and instructed us to hold onto a word. "ONLY one word, not a phrase or sentence....just one word that speaks to you."
When we began the prayer, nothing jumped out at me, but i stared a the screen and prayed for an open heart. The word 'Mighty' sprung out from the first few lines of the passage and stuck with me. Toward the end, the word 'voice' became evident too. I could very easily tell that I had chosen the word 'voice' and God had chosen for me the word 'mighty'. So that is the one I stuck with. But I didn't know why. Next instruction was to illustrate it, so I pictured a broken heart (my heart) so broken that only a hand as mighty as God's could fix it, and He did.
Here again, in this song, I am reminded that many people can be strong, many people can be incredible, or amazing, but solely God is 100% Mighty, and only He can take on all of the triumphs and trials of the world - He is Mighty to save.

Megan's prayer: MercyMe "Word of God Speak"

With the freezing temperatures outside, one of my favorite things to do is snuggle with a blanket and just relax. I don’t need the TV or movies or a book to keep me occupied; I just enjoy the stillness, and the chance to just “be.”

Tonight I am giving myself that opportunity. I am going to bed relatively early for a Friday night, I’m going to wrap up in some warm blankets, and just be in God presence. It is during these times that I feel the most loved, and it is my chance to catch up with God, and just talk to him about my life. This song was the perfect way to end a wonderful day, and start, what I hope to be, an amazing night.

To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness

Chris' prayer: MercyMe's "Word of God Speak"

I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise

Ah, how I wish that this blog would have started with this song! For these, these are the lyrics which represent what this entire project is for me: the opportunity to find myself in the presence of God, and hopefully to do so in a way that extends beyond the scope of this project, to find myself in His presence whether I'm listening to the music He gives me, the noise of the world, or the sound of my own voice. I pray that the Word of God may speak to me at all times.


YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Marie's Prayer: MercyMe's "Word of God Speak"

I'm finding myself in the midst of You

I want to be in the midst of God, see his love all around me. I want to look at what He's done and know that He's there and always was and will be.

Beyond the music, beyond the noise

I want to get past all the noise of life around me. It's not even limited to noise, but any distractions. I am beyond the distractions of worry and stress and just, everything. No longer letting anything in or out, but just being there. I find it easier to see God in the world in the quiet that comes with letting go of every distraction.

All that I need is to be with You

With letting go I see that all I need is You, God. I don't need that anger or worry that I've been holding onto. I just need to be alone with God and give my all to Him.

And in the quiet hear Your voice

Erinnicole's Prayer: MercyMe's "Word of God Speak"

I'm finding myself at a loss for words

i hear that. so often, i sit down to pray and i have no clue what to say. i can relate....

And the funny thing is it's okay

that...i cant relate to. what? it's okay that i don't know that to say?
that was my honest thought process when i read the lyrics to this song. i am so familiar with not being able to find words in prayer, which annoys me to no end because i am a writer. that means, words are my gift. they are my talent. the strongest and sometimes only way i can express myself is through poetry. so when i sit down to talk to God and can't even use the gift He gave me, how am i supposed to feel? i feel bad. i feel like i have let Him down, in the fact that i can talk to everyone but Him.
but the fact that "it's okay"...just like yesterday's song...the more i listen to it, the more it makes sense. and it makes sense because i am listening and not talking. perhaps i should apply that to my prayer life. that i don't need to ask God what to do, because if i would spend more time listening and less time attempting to talk...i would understand and i would actually hear him. i pray, Lord, that i can listen better and more often.

the last thing i need is to be heard.

Erinnicole's Prayer: Kutless' "Passion"

it's comforting to me

my first thought when i read that, and then heard it, was what? how could someone suffering that much for me be comforting?! nothing about that is comforting. it is shameful that He would go through all of that agony; i've done absolutely nothing to deserve it. but, after the last few times i have listened...while the image still shames me...there is oddly some level of comfort in the love that is truly depicted there. all of my troubles can seem to drift sort of away because i know that i am never suffering alone. not after that. not after someone would willingly lay their life down for me. in life, i surround myself with friends who are protectors, people that will be there for me and to stand up with and for me when i need it. and i am realizing that i do that for the sense of comfort it gives me. and Jesus as a protector is the biggest comfort and peace i could ask for.

it's comforting to me

Marie's Prayer: Kutless' "Passion"

I know I've had trouble with identifying God in my life lately, but I realize now that how can I doubt? How can I question all of my good memories? I know that God has to be there and that He's working and helping me along this road of life. Even with failed relationships I know that He's the only one I really need, no matter what.

And in my heart I know that you're the only one
Who could of came and died, a sacrifice

Chris' prayer: Kutless' "Passion"

Nail pierced hands they run with blood
A splitting brow forced by the thorns
His face is writhing with the pain

I remember when I first saw The Passion of the Christ, the impression that stayed with me was just how much Jesus suffered. I'd read and heard the story in the Bible a hundred times, but the movie put me in that place, allowing me to witness, sort of first hand, the pain that Jesus endured. Suddenly, it was something I'd never seen or heard before. I winced each time the whip dug into His skin, tearing it to pieces. I cowered when they drove the crown of thorns into His head. I gasped when they nailed Him to the cross. I was awestruck. It is and was anything but comforting to me.


YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Megan's prayer: Kutless' "Passion"

Jesus…
… created a paradox in me

Within the past few months, I have realized that my faith, more specifically my view of my personal faith life, is somewhat of a paradox, somewhat contradictory.

I am happy that I am unhappy with my faith life.

On the most recent retreat I attended, I shared this sentiment with the teens in my small group. Instantly after I shared it, I felt I should take it back. I thought I was supposed to be playing the part of the leader; the one who has their faith figured out and was there to help the teens with their struggles, but I realized that sharing something so personal with the teens only helped to bring me closer to them.

I can’t imagine a time in which I was happy with my faith. I constantly look at my prayer life and realize I could be doing more. I want to be in a much deeper pursuit of Jesus. I feel that if I ever come to a point where I am happy with my faith, that it would then just be put to the side, checked off the list of things to accomplish. No sense in trying to fix something that isn’t broken. But I don’t want that to happen to my faith, I don’t ever want to push it aside. I want it constantly to be a top priority in my life, forever at the top of my “to-do” list. This dissatisfaction in my faith life will only lead me closer to where I want to be.

Marie's Prayer: Falling Up's "Broken Heart"

Words that paint the legacy of life
A different picture will unfold

Words are very interesting. I find myself at ease writing and/or typing them way more easily than I can say them. When I read or write something I tend to visualize things in my mind but draw blanks when someone tries to describe something using words. I am sure you all are tired of hearing about this, but with all that's been going on with my past a different picture is shown to me than the happy one I used to remember. Now things make awful sense and I realize how stupid I was for thinking they could have been any different. Most of the story is now unfolded before me and I just have to find a way to make sense of it and hopefully move beyond it. So each night I find myself asking God for a way to show me how to get beyond this and even my communication with Brad is helping me to see how his family dealt with this. He has moved past it even though it was visibly tougher on him than anyone else. So I ask God to help me move past it too.

Erinnicole's Prayer: Falling Up's "Broken Heart"

this song just made my day. i love every thing about it; the music is amazing and the words make so much sense. im truly connecting. i mean, my heart has been more or less broken since november...different reasons but basically i haven't been up to my normal happiness level. it not like life has been terrible, just disappointment is kind of a trend.
BUT this weekend, i went to a bunch of different church things and like...spiritually renewed myself and gave my struggles to Jesus and just tried to let things go. and it worked. suddenly, my whole focus on everything is different. i can see that things haven't really changed too much but suddenly i have this whole new perspective and can see all of the blessings and feel God's Presence in my life. it is awesome, i feel so joyous!

There's a Healer waiting to begin

i think so often, i keep waiting for God to step in and fix things. but then i continue living my life the way i choose to live it and not listening to anything He says. He is always waiting to begin, to make a change in my life. i don't even have to invite Him; He is already here. He is just patiently waiting for me to love and want Him there. my prayer is to remember that more often and just let God work.

Chris' prayer: Falling Up's "Broken Heart"

A healing finds its way through …
So heal my heart …
Father, Healer …
There's a healing calling from the wind …
There's a healer waiting to begin …
Father, Healer …
You can heal …
Father, Healer …

In true "broken" fashion, I'm finding it hard to put words together today.

It is clear, though, that God as Healer and His healing touch is the message today. He is calling me to reconcile my brokenness, my broken heart, my broken love, with His perfect love, His perfect heart, His perfection. To replace my life with His. How can I live for him today, and, in the process, heal the brokenness in my life?


YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Megan's prayer: Falling Up's "Broken Heart"

As much as I enjoy living on my own, sometimes it gets lonely. Even if I have had human interaction throughout the whole day, I might still feel alone when I get back to my apartment. Even though I know that there are many people out there who care about me, when they aren’t present, sometimes it’s hard to remember or realize just how much I am loved.

Maybe it has something to do with the fact I’m a visual learner, but I am much more convinced of someone’s feelings if they are there with me, sitting with me, or holding me in their arms, rather than trying to believe how much they care about me without having them present. Those times, being in someone’s company, are the times I feel most loved.

Today’s song echoed some of my feelings.

Stay here, closer, let me hear your voice of love.

Megan's prayer: Jeremy Camp's "Take My Life"

During my Senior year in high school, I was one of the co-founders of a new class – Prayer Class. A few of my friends and I made a deal with one of the teachers that if we got enough students to sign up for the class, that he would teach the class. Within a few days, we had a full class.

In the first class, we talked about just how scary prayer can be. Growing up, we all ask God for things, and sometimes remember to thank him for the blessing in our lives, but this class, prayer class, was going to be a new type of prayer. We were going to be challenged to give ourselves over to God. To allow him inside of us, and let him work through us. We were told that this type of prayer could be scary because it led us to the unknown, but in the end it would be very rewarding.

It was scary, but slowly, and through the support of the others in my class, we all found ourselves beginning to let God take a more active role in our lives, to allow him to be in control. It was an absolutely amazing semester of prayer.

Somehow over the past three years, I have lost that feeling. I find myself trying to keep control of my life instead of giving it over to God. Today’s song reminded me of that wonderful semester, that time when I was able to give all of myself.

Take my life, take my mind
Take my soul, take my will
Cause I am yours now, I give it all to you