The Lord’s House of Prayer

Posted on September 15, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


Isaiah 56:1, 7 (NIV)
This is what the Lord says:
“… my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.”

 

Our places of worship are the Lord’s house of prayer — be it at church, at home or even a vacation destination. Our prayers include our praise and gratitude to God, honest evaluation of our own actions and requests for ourselves and others. 

My personal house of prayer includes this website. Wherever you live, wherever you are at the moment, come pray with me.

 

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for this open door to Your house of prayer. I can enter and connect with You anytime, anywhere — from the stained-glass glory of our sanctuary, the comfort of my couch or my darkest place of panic or despair. You hear my praise, my frustration, my hopes, my disappointments and my concerns. I speak, You listen. You speak, I listen, so be it. Amen.

Share
Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Delight in the Lord’s House

Posted on September 14, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


I went to church yesterday — as I do most Sundays.

It’s tempting to sleep late, stay in my jammies and lounge at home. But once I get up and get going, I enjoy the worship, the music and the fellowship.

 

Psalm 122:1 (ESV)
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

 


Good morning, Lord. I am glad I went to the house of the Lord. Teach me to shut down the enemy’s whispers about sleeping in, staying home or going elsewhere. When we gather together as believers, You are there. May we all delight in our time together.

Share
Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , | 2 Comments

The Enemy at Work

Posted on September 11, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Let’s end this week with a look at Satan’s work.

It’s rooted in lying, deceit and destruction.

 

John 8:44 (NIV)
… He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Work based on lies — never a good thing.

 


Good morning, Lord. Close my ears to the whispered lies of the enemy; open them to the truth of Your Word. Teach me to work whole-heartedly, as You direct, with compassion and integrity. May the words of my mouth and the work of my hands reflect Your love and righteousness.

Share
Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Good and Bad Work

Posted on September 10, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Early in the book of Genesis, we find good and bad work.

 


Noah did good work.

Genesis 6:22 (NIV)
Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

Not so the people of Babel.

Genesis 11:4
Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves …

They were building a city and a tower. Problem was, they worked for the wrong reason – to glorify themselves. They didn’t give God any credit for their skills or their resources.

When it comes to work, attitude matters.

 

 

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for my work, and for the skills and resources that equip me for the job. Teach me to do good work with the right attitude, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Share
Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Creative Work

Posted on September 9, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 


God gave Adam, the first man, an interesting job.

 


Genesis 2:15, 19 (NIV)
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. . . Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

Naming the animals? Sounds like a fun, one-of-a-kind job.

 


Good morning, Lord. You created mankind with creative minds: the ability to draw, invent, write stories, make up new recipes, fix what’s broken, design bridges and buildings … the list is endless. Thank You for the unique skills You’ve given me, may I use them well, for Your glory.

Share
Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Gift of Work

Posted on September 8, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


Some folks hold a negative view of work, counting it as a necessary evil. Work is necessary, and it’s not necessarily evil. Per the Bible, work is a gift from God.

 

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (NIV)
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.

How do you feel about work?

 


Good morning, Lord. Thank You for Your gift of work: my job, housework, creative work, volunteer work. It fills my time, provides for my family, helps others and contributes to my wellbeing. Grant me the satisfaction of a good job well done.

Share
Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , | Leave a comment

First Work, Then Rest

Posted on September 7, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Here in the US, today is Labor Day, a tribute to American workers.

It’s a good week to ponder work.

 

Genesis 2:3 (NIV)
Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

God did His work of creation and then He rested. The Hebrew word for “rested” is shabath, meaning brought to an end, ceased. Our good God worked and then ceased working.

What do you do when you’re not working?

 

 

Good morning, Lord. Teach me to work eagerly, and then rest without guilt. Forgive my reluctance to start or stop working. Help me maintain the right balance, for Your name’s sake, amen.

Share
Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Mountains Sing and Trees Dance

Posted on September 4, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


Isaiah 55:12 (NIV)
…the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.

 

I love autumn. Every year we get a sneak preview of a glorious concert yet to come … when mountains sing and trees dance.

 


Good morning, Lord. Every season provides a glimpse of heaven’s glories: spring’s delicate beauty, summer’s blazing sun, autumn’s dancing leaves and winter’s glittering snow. Together, they sing a complex melody of praise. Give use ears to hear nature’s tribute to the Creator. 

 

Share
Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

In God’s Hands

Posted on September 3, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 


God’s hands shaped the world as we know it.

 


Psalm 95:4-5 (NIV)
In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.

It can be reshaped any way and any time, as He directs or permits.

 


Good morning, Lord. You notice every little change I make to my flowerbeds. No natural disaster, earthquake, flood or wildfire catches You by surprise. Truly, You’ve got the whole world in Your hands. In spite of all the trouble it has seen, our planet continues to spin as it did from the beginning. Great is Your faithfulness!

Share
Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Disguised Blessings

Posted on September 2, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


“What we count the ills of life are often blessings in disguise, resulting in good to us in the end.”
Matthew Henry (1662-1714)

 

This wisdom still applies … to me.

 

Good morning, Lord. As I look back on my life, I see how You used what I didn’t want or like to get me out of a rut and back on the right road, or slowed me down enough to catch the right opportunity, or cut me off from a path leading to trouble. Thank You for these disguised blessings. Forgive my complaining heart, O God; teach me trust in Your goodness.

Share
Posted in Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged , | 2 Comments