Shirlee Abbott

Graduation Gratitude

Posted on June 15, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

‘Tis the season for graduations … when students step into the next chapter of their lives.

‘Tis the season for gratitude: parents are grateful their kids reached this milestone, teachers are grateful another class made it through, and students are grateful to cross the finish line.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ERV)
Whatever happens, always be thankful.

Good morning, Lord. I thank You for the young men and women who are graduating from high school or college. Open the right doors for them. Give them ears to hear the voice of Your Holy Spirit telling them the way to go (Isaiah 30:21). Lead them on paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake (Psalm 23:3).

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged 1 Thessalonians 5:18, graduation, gratitude, Isaiah 30:21, Psalm 23:3 | Leave a comment

Jerusalem Future

Posted on June 12, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Let’s take a peek into the future:

Revelation 21:2-3 (NIV)
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”

The best is yet to come!

Good morning, Lord. I look forward to the hope of heaven, to the absence of evil and the glory of Your unending presence. Meanwhile, O God, walk beside me here on earth, fill me with strength and wisdom. Be my light in the darkness and my joy in hard times.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged New Jerusalem, Revelation 21:2-3 | 2 Comments

Babylon Future

Posted on June 11, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

The last book of the Bible reveals the end of Babylon’s evil empire.

Revelation 18:9-10 (ESV)
And the kings of the earth … will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning. They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say,

“Alas! Alas! You great city,
you mighty city, Babylon!
For in a single hour your judgment has come.”

Good morning, Lord. Evil may prosper temporarily, but ultimately judgment will come. Teach me to know evil when I see it, empower me to turn away from any temptation to join forces with wrongdoing. Show me the path of righteousness, help me live within the guardrails of Your truth.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Babylon, good and evil, Revelation 18:9-10 | Leave a comment

Jerusalem Past

Posted on June 10, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Jerusalem, destroyed by the Babylonians, was later restored. During His time on earth, Jesus lamented over her future destruction.

Matthew 21:37-38 (NIV)
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate.”

Jesus found no joy in the destruction of the city where He would be put to death.

Good morning, Lord. You find no joy in the discomfort that follows my poor choices. Like a parent who says, “This hurts me more than it hurts you,” You suffer when I suffer. The discipline that comes my way is always for my own good.

You died for my sin. Teach me to live whole-heartedly for You.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Jerusalem, Matthew 21:37-38 | 2 Comments

Babylon Past

Posted on June 9, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

As a consequence of His people’s disobedience, God allowed Babylon to destroy Jerusalem and carry them into captivity. But Babylon’s power didn’t last.

Isaiah 21:8-9 (NIV)
And the lookout shouted,
“Day after day, my lord,
I stand on the watchtower;
every night I stay at my post.
Look, here comes a man in a chariot
with a team of horses.
And he gives back the answer:
‘Babylon has fallen, has fallen!
All the images of its gods
lie shattered on the ground!’”

Evil kingdoms rise with God’s permission, and they fall at His command.

Good morning, Lord. I wish we didn’t have to witness evil at work … but that’s for the future, not the present. In the meantime, evil sometimes prospers. It isn’t a surprise to You, O God, and You can use it to make us better people. Grant me the discernment to know what’s evil, and plant my feet on the path of good.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Babylon, evil kingdoms, good and evil, Isaiah 21:8-9 | Leave a comment

A Tale of Two Cities

Posted on June 8, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

This week, we’ll take a look at two Old Testament cities. The first is Babylon, the site of the Tower of Babel.

Genesis 11:4 (NIV)
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 …”

The second city is Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 3:17
At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the Lord, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the Lord.

Babylon: built to honor men. Jerusalem: built to honor the Lord.

Good morning, Lord. Where’s the line between doing good for Your glory and doing good for my own glory? It comes down to pride and motivation. You see both, even when those around me don’t. Fill me with the desire to honor You in all things. Without the talents You’ve given me and the power of the Spirit to put them to good use, I accomplish nothing.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Babylon, Genesis 1:14, Jeremiah 3:17, Jerusalem, Tower of Bable | Leave a comment

Comprehensive Prayer

Posted on June 5, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
Don’t worry about anything;
instead, pray about everything.

If it’s on your mind, talk to God about it. There’s no problem too small, no person too well-connected, no predicament too complicated to discuss with Him.

Good morning, Lord. I replay my words and actions. I worry about future events. I plot fixes for every problem. Forgive me, O God, for seeing You as my last resort. Teach me to always start with prayer. I know I should talk with You before, during and after every problem.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Philippians 4:6, pray about everything, problems and worries | 2 Comments

Corporate Prayer

Posted on June 4, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

After Christ’s ascension, the believers kept each other company.

Acts 1:12-14 (NLT)
When the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives … they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying … They all met together and were constantly united in prayer.

How did that work? Surely they came and went, ate and slept, shopped and did chores … while being constantly united in prayer. I imagine them talking with one another, letting the conversation morph into prayer and then back to conversation.

Good morning, Lord. As I pray, whether privately or in the presence of others, remind me that You are near. I’m not sending my prayers to a far-distant ear, but to God-at-my-side, Emanuel, God with us. Anytime, anywhere, here You are. Thank You.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Acts 1:12-14, corporate prayer, Emanuel | 2 Comments

Public Prayer

Posted on June 3, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

How NOT to pray in public.

Matthew 6:5 (MSG)
And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for fifteen minutes of fame!

Are you reluctant to pray in front of others? Fear not, it isn’t a speech. You simply talk to God while others listen in on the conversation.

Good morning, Lord. Teach me, when I pray, to focus on You and not the people around me. Help me shut down the enemy’s whispers telling me my words aren’t good enough or that others will think less of me. Banish my self-consciousness, fill me with an awareness of Your presence.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Matthew 6:5, praying in public | 3 Comments

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.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged early morning prayer, Jesus prayed, Mark 1:35 | Leave a comment