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| Marianne Evans |
With
so many things vying for my time, energy and attention these days, I’ve found
myself convicted of a very important shortcoming:
A lack of dedicated prayer
time.
Why
is it when life turns crazy busy, when I struggle with the process of moving
matters forward smoothly and participating in valuable commitments, etc., I
lose sight of the need to go still, and pray? Lately I realize I need to make
sure I spend time communing with God. I need to tell Him about my joys and
victories, sorrows and failures, then listen carefully, in that ordained
silence, for His loving voice.
We’ve
recently moved and are still in the process of settling in our new home. We’ve
welcomed our first grand baby into the world – a happy, healthy, completely
awesome angel named Lukas! – There’s been so much going on that I’ve focused
too hard on ‘getting things done’ or ‘being where I need to be.’ In the chaos I’ve
been leaning on my own strength rather than God’s. Oh, believe me, I thank him,
I rejoice in his provision throughout my days, but over and over again I keep
receiving the message to P-R-A-Y. In fact, my daily devotionals of late have
mentioned it repeatedly. This one came my way the other day really thumped me
on the head:
Luke 5, 15-16: ‘But the news about Him was
spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be
healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the
wilderness and pray.
Wow. Jesus, struggling like we all do with the needs
of others. The disciples needed his teaching and example. The sick needed
healing. The oppressed and possessed needed freedom from their burdens.
Everywhere Jesus went, he came upon people—people he loved beyond human knowing—in
need of HIM. How did He discern? How did He regain strength? How He hear His Father’s
call and stay true to his purpose?
Prayer.
Jesus purposely found a quiet place to communicate with God. A deserted place, where He could be alone with God. A quiet place where He could not only pray but listen. A place where his heart could be still to absorb God's will. I believe it is in that stillness we can most clearly hear God's call and receive the grace of discernment.
Jesus purposely found a quiet place to communicate with God. A deserted place, where He could be alone with God. A quiet place where He could not only pray but listen. A place where his heart could be still to absorb God's will. I believe it is in that stillness we can most clearly hear God's call and receive the grace of discernment.
And so, I’m trying hard to return to the feet
of My Father in a more consistent way. I need to bow my head and pray in
earnest, not just before going to sleep, or waking in the morning, but also
before my fingers touch the keyboard. What God has given me as a writer is a
gift. My mission isn’t just about telling a story, it’s about ministry. It’s
about sharing a message and revealing God’s love to my readers. It’s about Him,
and them, not me.
That’s not something to take lightly. That’s
something that requires prayer. Deep, abiding prayer.
CLICK TO TWEET!
Let's discuss the power of Prayer!
Overwhelmed? Go still...and pray.
CLICK TO TWEET!
Let's discuss the power of Prayer!
Overwhelmed? Go still...and pray.
~~~~~
All she wants for
Christmas is her Master’s Degree. All he wants is a one-way plane ticket back
to Los Angeles.
Tiffany Zelling’s mission is to become a crisis therapy counselor using specially trained animals as comfort tools. She's focused on reaching the end of her school career, and nothing will stand in her way—not even a fantasy-world attraction to colleague Mitch Alexander.
After a year as interim Director of East Coast Operations Mitch's tenure has been a resounding success. Now, he’s set to return to California and lay claim to a well-deserved promotion. He can’t wait to leave behind the cold and snowy darkness of Manhattan, but when corporate bullying and a massive snowfall throws him together with Tiffany Zelling, Mitch wonders if heading west is his best future.
As two hearts build a pathway to love, goals shift and evolve. But as Christmas joy and hope move through the streets of New York, critical decisions must be made. Can their lives truly meld? Can Christmas at Tiffany’s be God’s answer…for them both?
Tiffany Zelling’s mission is to become a crisis therapy counselor using specially trained animals as comfort tools. She's focused on reaching the end of her school career, and nothing will stand in her way—not even a fantasy-world attraction to colleague Mitch Alexander.
After a year as interim Director of East Coast Operations Mitch's tenure has been a resounding success. Now, he’s set to return to California and lay claim to a well-deserved promotion. He can’t wait to leave behind the cold and snowy darkness of Manhattan, but when corporate bullying and a massive snowfall throws him together with Tiffany Zelling, Mitch wonders if heading west is his best future.
As two hearts build a pathway to love, goals shift and evolve. But as Christmas joy and hope move through the streets of New York, critical decisions must be made. Can their lives truly meld? Can Christmas at Tiffany’s be God’s answer…for them both?
~~~~~
Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian
romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s
love through the stories He prompts her to create. Devotion, earned the
Bookseller’s Best Award as well as the Heart of Excellence Award. Hearts
Communion earned a win for Best Romance from the Christian Small Publisher's
Association. Finding Home won the Selah award for Best Novella. Marianne is a lifelong
resident of Michigan and an active member of Romance Writers of America, most
notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President.
