Rhythms of Grace

Dear Praying Friends,

This is my first post for 2026. If you have been reading the previous posts you will know that in December the Lord was teaching me about weeping. I had a conversation during December with other Christians and we agreed that the Church doesn’t teach “lament” well. Some concluded that this might be because of the wide spread “prosperity gospel” in the Western Church.

I knew that the tears I was shedding in December were holy tears. Some have referred to these seasons of weeping as “liquid tears.” I knew that my tears were not a sign of weakness but actually strengthened me to depend on God. I knew that I was weeping for the lost of my city and beyond.

I know that things in our world seem pretty dark right now. When January 1, 2026 dawned I felt that the Lord spoke and then confirmed from Psalm 30 that after the weeping “joy comes in the morning.”

I don’t know what is ahead in 2026 but I know Who is there every day with us if we will just call out to Him.

Let’s keep praying for Nation and Neighbor.

Show Us Your Glory, Lord. Let us be Your “candles” in this dark world. Light our “wicks” in 2026!

Blessings, Gina

Scripture readings: Isaiah 61:3, Psalm 126:5

Prayer “Pointer” to Think/Journal/Apply: When we experience sorrow, it is comforting to know that God’s promise of joy is never far behind. He assures us that joy will return after our hard times. We are reminded that, even in our darkest moments, there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow. God holds our sorrows and provides us with the promise of rejoicing again. By trusting Him, we are reassured that we will experience joy, just as He has promised. We need to cling to this promise to lift our spirits and provide us with strength through trials. ~40 Bible Verses About Joy After Sorrow (With Commentary) (think about this and let is inspire your prayers and journaling)

Prayer “Starter”: Lord, help us to remember in weeping and in laughter that You are Lord of all. Let us feel the heart of Heaven, Your heart, when we intercede for our Nation and our world. We trust You with the future because we know that You hold the future. Let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done through each of us in 2026. (add your own prayers) Show Us Your Glory, Lord. Let us be Your “candles” in this dark world. Light our “wicks” in 2026!

As You Have Time: Check out more scriptures from https://bibleoutlined.com/bible-verses-about-joy-after-sorrow/

A Worship Song: Joy Comes in the Morning

Dear Praying Friends,

As I spent some extended time in silence with the Lord today an image began to form in my mind. I saw a Christmas tree with gifts under it. Jesus opened one of the gifts and out of it came His glorious light. Then a globe appeared over the tree and the light reached up to it. I recognized again that Jesus is the true gift of Christmas. That gift didn’t contain clothes or toys or a banquet. The box contained Jesus.

As I have asked the Lord about weeping and in particular what makes Him weep, I think that the “muddied” message of Christmas makes Him weep. I’m asking the Lord to help me get back to Him as my “first love” and to let go of everything that leads me away from loving and serving Him.

Let’s keep praying for Nation and Neighbor.

Show Us Your Glory, Lord. Help us to thrive in 2025 and help us worship You as the greatest gift of all.

Blessings, Gina

Weeping…part 4… A familiar scripture but take another look…John 3:16 NKJV

Prayer “Starter”: Lord, Jesus forgive us for the places where we have replaced Your story with our own. Christmas isn’t about clothes or toys or even banquets. Christmas is Your story, it is about You. How You must weep over the distraction of Your Church. Help us to return to You as our “first love” and to release the things that have become idols in our lives leading us away from You. (add your own prayers)

Show Us Your Glory, Lord. Help us to thrive in 2025 and help us worship You as the greatest gift of all.

Prayer “Pointer” to Think/Journal/Apply:

God has not called me to be successful; He has called me to be faithful.” 

— Mother Teresa

(add your own thoughts/prayers)

A Worship Song: Gifts from God

Dear Praying Friends,

It has been awhile since I have written anything here because life has been particularly challenging in these days. But even in the challenges, I feel compelled to pray on. Maybe even more so!

This post has been in my heart since early December and today I feel that I should try to articulate some things I feel God is saying to me. I don’t know if this will resonate with anyone else, but I feel that I have been to some deep and hard places with the Lord recently.

If you have followed the blog at all, you may know that over the past weeks, I have been asking the Lord about “weeping.” I have known for years that weeping is a form of prayer. Some call weeping, “liquid prayer” and I can resonate with that.

A few weeks back, I felt the Lord told me that I need to weep, but I found that with the condition of our world and with the challenges of personal life, I felt numb and couldn’t shed a tear. So I asked the Lord to help me. I recalled that when Jesus looked at Jerusalem, He wept.

Early in December, I found myself in downtown Denver, Colorado for a family event. I had an unsual encounter that night in the hustle and bustle of the big city. All of a sudden I saw a “sea” of faces and the people in the cars and high rises were no longer strangers to me. I felt the Lord say, “These are people that I died for.” I felt weeping begin to rise in my heart and I felt the Lord was weeping through me for His lost sheep. I whispered to the Lord, “Please bring a spiritual awakening to Denver, Colorado and to Laramie, Wyoming. If you need to weep for these places, You can weep through me.”

I guess my prayer prompt for you today is to ask the Lord to really help you “see” the people that you encounter in your day to day life as those that He died for. I believe that His Church must be “tenderized” towards the lost of our world.

Let’s keep on praying for Neighbor and Nation:

Show Us Your Glory, Lord. Help us to thrive in 2025 and help us to pray for the lost.

Weeping…part three…Luke 6:21

Prayer Pointer:

Prayer Starter: Lord, help Your Church, help me. We are numb with the hurt of this world and sometimes it is hard to care about anything anymore. Take out our heart of stone and put a heart in us that beats with Your heartbeat. Help us to see the “sea” of people around us everyday that You died for. (add your own prayers)Show Us Your Glory, Lord. Help us to thrive in 2025 and help us to pray for the lost.

Think/Journal/Apply: The joy of the Lord isn’t pretending everything is fine. It’s the deep strength of knowing God has not walked away. You don’t have to wait for a perfect day to know that joy. You have a faithful God who is your strength in this one. -Our Daily Verse (add your own thoughts/prayers)

A Worship Song: Hymn of Heaven

Dear Praying Friends,

Some days I just feel “numb” with the hurts of this world. In my last post, I spoke about the need to “weep” over the things that break God’s heart. What are those things? Well, I believe when God looks at lost and broken humanity, He weeps. Do I? Does His Church? It is so easy to become caught up with my own “stuff” that I forget why the Lord has left me here. I am here to share the love of Christ.

We all feel overwhelmed and numb sometimes, but we don’t have to stay there.

God tells us to be strong and courageous because He is with us. (Joshua 1:9) He promises if we lack wisdom, He will show us the way. (Jas. 1:5)

Is there one thing that you can do to make a difference in this hurting world? Consider doing a kind act for a neighbor or a friend. Maybe bake a batch of cookies or send a kind, handwritten note.

If we all did just a small act of kindness, it could really change the spiritual atmosphere of our world. Perhaps we could dry some of God’s tears over this broken place.

Let’s keep on praying for neighbor and Nation:

Show Us Your Glory, Lord. Help us to thrive in 2025 and help us to pray!

Weeping…part two! Psalm 34:18

Prayer Pointer: When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, count your many blessings; name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” 

— Johnson Oatman Jr.

Prayer Starter: Lord, You say that You are close to the broken-hearted. I want You to be close to me, so break my heart with what breaks Yours. And let this lead to God-directed actions that will bring Your Kingdom to this world. Show Us Your Glory, Lord. Help us to thrive in 2025 and help us to pray! (add your own prayers)

Think/Journal/Apply: How might today look different if I filtered every decision through the lens of love? 

A Worship Song: Kindness

Dear Praying Friends, I haven’t posted on the prayer blog for over a month because I have felt depleted spiritually. I realized this week that I haven’t been able to weep and weeping is what is needed. I have prayed, “Lord, help me to weep!” I know that sounds very strange, but I know that weeping is a powerful spiritual weapon that draws us closer to God. I would think that closeness to God is what every believer longs for…I know that I do! So as I come back to a season of “weeping”, I encourage you to continue praying for Nation and Neighbor with me.

My Prayer prompt for this post is:

Show us Your Glory, Lord! Help us to thrive in 2025 and help us to press on!

Show us Your Glory, Lord! Help us to thrive in 2025 and help us to press on!

He Was Faithful Then…He’ll Be Faithful Now

Dear Praying Friends,

The word “faithful” has come up several times over the past few weeks. I think the Lord is reminding me that I need to keep reminding myself of His faithfulness. Maybe you do, too.

The circumstances of the world can be very wearying. I heard a pastor even refer to them as “numbing” and I agree. It may not be the news that gives you the “blues” but maybe just your day to day living. I find myself especially exhausted today as I consider my mom’s celebration of life this week and also traveling to and from with Stan.

A hymn at church today had words that caught my eye:

“…I shall not fear the battle, if thou are by my side, nor wander from the pathway, if thou wilt be my guide.”

This past week, I recalled a beautiful show of God’s faithfulness on my recent trip to Washington, DC. I felt I should write the story down for the writer’s group where I meet and I thought Love Nevers Fails…A Reflection from Washington DC would encourage you, too.

Take a moment and remember God’s “faithfulness” to you. AND…

Let’s keep praying for Nation and neighbor…SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD! HELP US TO THRIVE IN 2025 AND HELP US TO BRING BEAUTY FOR ASHES!

Sunday, October 12, 2025: Psalm 111

Prayer Pointer: Every worry, every decision, every hope—place it all in His care. Trust in Him to guide you, to provide for you, and to show you a path where you might not see one. ~Our Daily Verse

Prayer Fuel: Lord, help me to remember and to keep on remembering Your faithfulness even in the midst of “life-numbing” events. Help my brothers and sisters, too, to keep their eyes upon You this day and in the days ahead remembering that even the darkness is not dark to You. You have cared for us day by day and Your faithfulness has not changed even in the midst of these difficult days. Thank You. (add your own prayers here) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD! HELP US TO THRIVE IN 2025 AND HELP US TO BRING BEAUTY FOR ASHES!

Think/Journal/apply: How can you cultivate a posture of watchfulness and thankfulness today?

As You have time: I’ve Seen God’s Faithfulness

Worship Song for Today: Great is Thy Faithfulness

For more prayer “fuel” for October, let’s pray for our churches:The Gospel Coalition:18 Things to Pray for Your Church

Help us get the word out for National Day of Prayer 2026! You can download the theme artwork seen above here. I encourage you to use it in your email signatures to help everyone prepare to pray with us on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Praying, praying, praying…Gina

When You Can’t Fight the Good Fight…

Dear Praying Friends,

I listened to a song this morning that says that God will fight for me when I can’t fight for myself. But then I thought, “Am I supposed to be fighting for myself?” Scripture does tell us to “fight the good fight of faith.”(1 Timothy 6:12) But I have always felt that is not possible without the power of the Holy Spirit. So what do we do when we can’t fight? Well, I’ll tell you what I do…I pray again. I cry out to God again. I recognize again that He is my all in all and that I can’t really do this thing called faith without Him. As I have been pondering all of this today, I did a search on “weakness.” One of my favorite “findings” is from the Apostle Paul: “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10.

Let’s keep praying in the power of the Holy Spirit…

SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD! HELP US TO THRIVE IN 2025 AND HELP US TO BRING BEAUTY FOR ASHES!

Let’s keep praying for Nation and neighbor…

Sunday, October 5, 2025: Another good scripture about God fighting for us: Exodus 14:14

Prayer Pointer: “Trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.” — Corrie Ten Boom

Prayer Fuel: Lord, help us to fight the good fight of faith in the power of Your Holy Spirit. There is really no other way to fight. Help us when we become self-sufficient to become God-sufficient. You are the One Who supplies all our needs and we thank You! (add your own prayers here) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD! HELP US TO THRIVE IN 2025 AND HELP US TO BRING BEAUTY FOR ASHES!

Think/Journal/apply: In what ways can I show real trust in God as I go about my day? 

As You have time: A God Who Fights for Us

Worship Song for Today: Battles

For more prayer “fuel” for October, let’s pray for our churches:The Gospel Coalition:18 Things to Pray for Your Church

Help us get the word out for National Day of Prayer 2026! You can download the theme artwork seen above here. I encourage you to use it in your email signatures to help everyone prepare to pray with us on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Praying, praying, praying…Gina

Make Just One Someone Happy…

Dear Praying Friends,

For several days now I’ve had the song “Make Someone Happy” running in my head. I think we’d all agree that our Nation and our world is a pretty turbulent place right now. I believe that we don’t have to engage with the anger and strife but that we as believers in Christ can be the ones who bring some happiness to someone. I encourage you to pray about it this month and to ask the Lord whose burden you can lighten. And I encourage you to pray with me:

SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD! HELP US TO THRIVE IN 2025 AND HELP US TO BRING BEAUTY FOR ASHES!

Let’s keep praying for Nation and neighbor…

Wednesday,October 1, 2025: Nehemiah 8:10

Prayer Pointer: Do everything in love. Four words that capture the essence of following Christ—not just in grand gestures of faith, not just when people deserve it, and not even when it feels natural—but everything. -Our Daily Verse

Prayer Fuel: Lord, thank You for the good things You provide in our lives. Help us share some joy with others through acts of generosity and love. Show us someone that we can make happy today. (add your own prayers here)SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD! HELP US TO THRIVE IN 2025 AND HELP US TO BRING BEAUTY FOR ASHES!

Think/Journal/apply: Consider sending a kind text, or better yet, a hand written card to someone who may need a little encouragement today.

As You have time: Happiness a devo by Billy Graham

Worship Song for Today: Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God

For more prayer “fuel” for October, let’s pray for our churches:The Gospel Coalition:18 Things to Pray for Your Church

Help us get the word out for National Day of Prayer 2026! You can download the theme artwork seen above here. I encourage you to use it in your email signatures to help everyone prepare to pray with us on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Praying, praying, praying…Gina

Love Never Fails… Part 2

Dear Praying Friends,

It’s been some days now since I wrote a blog post. I don’t think the Lord is saying “done” but He has given me some space and time to rest and grieve at the passing of my mom.

I think most of you know that my mom passed just days before I headed to Washington DC earlier this month. I knew I had some important things to do there and that I would have to delay my grieving process until I returned.

I would appreciate your prayers for our family as we will celebrate Mom’s life on October 18 in our “home place” in western PA.

This past weekend, I led a group in a community prayer walk of the University of Wyoming. It was a powerful event with the theme “Love Never Fails.” Before we set out, we sang together the precious children’s song “Jesus Loves Me.” When I went onto the campus I imagined many there joining our “choir” and singing “Jesus Loves Me” alongside us. I knew that this was God’s heart and I began to pray for that.

He continues to remind me that “Love Never Fails.” He doesn’t want us to rejoice at the demise of the wicked, He wants us to weep over their lost souls. He reminds me constantly that I am to pray for my enemies and exhort you to do the same.

As we finish September let’s keep praying:

SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD! HELP US TO THRIVE IN 2025 AND HELP US TO DREAM YOUR DREAMS!

Let’s keep praying for Nation and neighbor…

Friday,September 26, 2025: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Repeating this from my last post:

Prayer Pointer: 

Prayer Fuel: Lord, as the world seems more and more confusing for us, help us to look to You for Your direction. Fill us with Your love for others and help us to pray for our enemies, too. That is hard, Lord, and so we rely on Your strength, courage and wisdom in our relationships with others. Keep reminding us that Your love is the greatest weapon. (add your own prayers here) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD! HELP US TO THRIVE IN 2025 AND HELP US TO DREAM YOUR DREAM

Think/Journal/apply: Ask the Lord to bring to mind someone who is hard for you to love. Ask Him to show you them through His eyes.

As You have time: Love Never Fails

Worship Song for Today: This song ministers deeply to me…I hope is speaks to you, too. Love Never Fails

For more prayer “fuel” for September, let’s pray for our schools: I Can Pray for My School calendar

Praying, praying, praying…Gina

Love Never Fails…

Dear Praying Friends,

I am home from WDC and it has been a bit of re-entry as I process all the Lord showed me there. I know that many were praying for me as I went to pray with our US Congressmen. I was feeling overwhelmed the morning of the day that I was to see them but I knew that the Lord was telling me to go in faith. He answered in more than abundant ways and I am still walking in the “glory cloud” from those prayer meetings.

Someone commented that is was “amazing” that they allowed me to come. I asked the Lord about it and heard Him say, “Love never fails.” He has been reminding me over and over again to “build bridges and tear down walls.” We are to love what God loves. God loves people. That doesn’t mean we are to compromise on His truth when we see things that clearly grieve Him.

This has been a tough week in our Nation and He also has reminded me that disagreement can be the breeding ground for hatred. I exhort you to spend much time in prayer as you see news and hear comments from others. I believe that we will still see another spiritual awakening in the USA but we have to trust God through the difficult days we are navigating. It is by the help and guidance of His Holy Spirit that we stand. Let’s keep asking Him to show us His dreams

As we continue through September let’s keep praying:

SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD! HELP US TO THRIVE IN 2025 AND HELP US TO DREAM YOUR DREAMS!

Let’s keep praying for Nation and neighbor…

Sunday,September 14, 2025: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Prayer Pointer: 

Prayer Fuel: Lord, as the world seems more and more confusing for us, help us to look to You for Your direction. Fill us with Your love for others and help us to pray for our enemies, too. That is hard, Lord, and so we rely on Your strength, courage and wisdom in our relationships with others. Keep reminding us that Your love is the greatest weapon. (add your own prayers here) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD! HELP US TO THRIVE IN 2025 AND HELP US TO DREAM YOUR DREAM

Think/Journal/apply: Ask the Lord to bring to mind someone who is hard for you to love. Ask Him to show you them through His eyes.

As You have time: Love Never Fails

Worship Song for Today: This song ministers deeply to me…I hope is speaks to you, too. Love Never Fails

For more prayer “fuel” for September, let’s pray for our schools: I Can Pray for My School calendar

Praying, praying, praying…Gina