Private Prayer

Posted on June 2, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Mark 1:35 (ESV)
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he [Jesus] departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.


Jesus set a high standard for private prayer. He didn’t squeeze it into his spare time. He didn’t look for a convenient moment. He didn’t make a big show of it.

He planned ahead, got up early and found a place free from distractions. Then he prayed … likely for hours, not minutes. 

 

Good morning, Lord. I thank You for these morning conversations. Albeit short, they are consistent. What I lack, O God, are longer spaces of time devoted to prayer. Teach me to make a date with You and keep it, over and beyond the quick prayers I squeeze into my schedule or my frantic callouts in moments of crisis. You hear my every prayer, and I am grateful.

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Prayer Songs

Posted on June 1, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


As I stood singing along at church Sunday, I suddenly realized the words on the screen were directed TO God, not ABOUT God. They were, in essence, a prayer. My mind, however, wasn’t engaged in a conversation with God.

Psalm 138:1 (ESV)
I give you thanks, O Lord,
with my whole heart.

A song can be my prayer, and my prayer can be a song — as long as I sing from the heart.

 

Good morning, Lord. I can sing my prayers, whisper my prayers, think my prayers, shout my prayers. Not matter how, You’re always listening … thank You. Forgive me for producing words on autopilot, for focusing on getting the notes perfect, or making it into a performance for others. Teach me to pray whole-heartedly.

 

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My Teacher

Posted on May 29, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

I have the world’s best Teacher. I should leap out of bed every morning, raring to get started. Truth is, I long to hit the alarm’s off button, roll over and snooze. I drag myself to the coffee pot, fill my cup and swipe my phone. I put the Holy Spirit on hold.

Friends, it should not be this way! 

John 14:26 (NIV)
… the Holy Spirit … will teach you all things.

The Spirit is ready, willing and able to teach. The question is, am I ready to learn?

 


Good morning, Lord. Thank You for my great Teacher, the Holy Spirit. Open my eyes to see the wonders of Your Word, open my ears to hear Your direction for my life, fill my mind with Your wisdom. Pour into my heart love for You, others and myself (Mark 12:30-31). Teach me everything I need to know, in Jesus’ name. 

 

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My Advocate

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


John 14:26 (NIV)
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

“Advocate,” paraklétos in Greek, means helper, comforter, counselor, intercessor. Para—to the side of, klē—to call. The Holy Spirit is God-at-my-side, in my corner, answering my call. He’s my shoulder to cry on, my strong support when I’m weak. He speaks the words I can’t say for myself, the heart-prayers I don’t even know I need.

 


Good morning, Lord. Your Spirit is by my side as I trudge through my trials and celebrate my successes. You put good words in my mouth, You help me hold my tongue if necessary. And when I don’t know what or how to pray, Your Spirit speaks for me (Romans 8:26). Thank You.

 

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My Breath of Life

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

John 20:22 (ESV)
… he [Jesus] breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

 

The word “spirit” is tied to “breath.” The Old Testament Hebrew word ruach is translated breath, wind or spirit. The New Testament Greek pneuma also means wind or spirit. The Holy Spirit is God’s breath in me. That’s the way it’s been from the beginning:

Genesis 2:7 (GNV)
The Lord God also made the man of the dust of the ground, and breathed in his face breath of life, and the man was a living soul.

 


Good morning, Lord. Just as the oxygen I breathe keeps my body alive, Your Spirit empowers my soul. I recognize when I am short of breath physically, but I often fail to notice when I’m short of breath spiritually. Fill me with the Breath of Life. Holy Spirit, dwell in me.

 

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It’s All about the Holy Spirit

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


Last Sunday commemorated Pentecost, the anointing of the Holy Spirit as recorded in Acts 2 — the birthday of the Church (upper-case C, meaning all believers in Christ, over time and around the world). 

“Without the Spirit of God we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind or chariots without steeds. Like branches without sap, we are withered. Like coals without fire, we are useless.”
Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)

Happy birthday, Church! God gave us the gift of power.

 


Good morning, Lord. Thank You for the wisdom of the Father, the love of the Son and the power of the Spirit — at work in Your people, at work in me.  Every day, everywhere, You are with me and in me. I am not alone.

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Remember the Heroes

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

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Strife of Tongues

Posted on May 22, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 


God is the antidote to the strife of tongues.

 


Psalm 31:19-20 (ESV)
Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you
and worked for those who take refuge in you,
in the sight of the children of mankind!
In the cover of your presence you hide them
from the plots of men;
you store them in your shelter
from the strife of tongues.

God is our safe space.

 

 

Good morning, Lord. I need less strife and stress in my life. Teach me to step into Your presence, where I will find peace of mind. You are my refuge and shield (Psalm 119:114). You are my safe space, ever and always.

 

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Blessings and Curses

Posted on May 21, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

James 3:9-10 (ESV)
 With it [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

As I read the news and scroll through social media, curses seem to outweigh blessings. That’s not how it should work.

 

Good morning, Lord. Keep watch over the words I speak. Put a stop to my curses, inspire more blessings. As much as it depends on me, let me live in peace with everyone (Romans 12:18). Show me how to love those who don’t love me, those who disagree with me and those who walk the wayward path. Teach me to reach out to them with godly grace.

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War of Words

Posted on May 20, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Proverbs 15:1 (NLT)
A gentle answer deflects anger,
but harsh words make tempers flare.

 

A war of words requires at least two people.

 


Good morning, Lord. When someone shoots angry words at me, I want to shoot angrier words back. When taunts and curses fly to-and-fro like flaming arrows, grant me wisdom to step away from the war of hurtful words. I want to be a peacemaker who speaks gentle words of healing, comfort and encouragement. Make it so, in Jesus’ name.

 

 

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