His Voice

Lord, You speak to us in whispers and thunders, through the might and beauty of nature, and the quiet compassion of a friend. Help us to hear You today. Amen.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Conquer

When each day dawns with a new mountain to climb, it helps to remember that we are loved, that we never travel alone, and that our strength comes from the Savior who has conquered every evil.

What is your daunting challenge today?

Dear Lord, we need You. Help us to more than conquer each hardship today because of Your love and mighty presence in us. Amen.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Refreshed

Dear Lord, on days when our bodies, minds, or hearts are weary, we rejoice in the gift of Your presence. You are the Water of Life, and today we invite You to refresh us. Turn our souls to You, so we are open to receive Your grace. Amen.

Blessings,
Sharon Hinck

Wings of the Dawn

"If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:9-10 (NIV)

Lord, when I feel lost, forgotten, or invisible, remind me that You know where I am, that you remember me in your love, and that You see every struggle in my heart. Thank You for holding me today. Amen.

Lifting my Hands

When I think of dear friends, I'm often moved to send them a greeting card to let them know I'm thinking of them. Today I decided to create a card to send to my heavenly Father.

Feel free to share it, if you like.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

My Only Hope

"And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you." Psalm 39:7 (NLT)

Do you ever feel hopeless? Yesterday I was putting excited expectation in something that could effect positive and needed change in my life, but I soon saw the answers wouldn't come--at least not from political committees, medical advances, or my own efforts. I felt a wave of hopelessness. 

As I prayed, God reminded me of His love, and the many ways He has enacted that love in my life. I have had other times when I've lost hope in people, organizations, my abilities. They can all let us down. But God's relentless love never stops. I can have faith in what His love is doing behind the scenes...in my life and in the world.

Sometimes it's good to lose hope, when our hope is misplaced. 

Lord, today we look to You. We lay before You every hurt, every need, every plea. Our hope is in You. Amen.

Daily Bread

Lord, you taught us to pray for daily bread, and later you said you ARE the Bread of Life.
Help me hunger to know You. Nourish my soul. Amen.

Caught up by Grace

"But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it." --Ephesians 4:7 (NIV)

Lord, thank you for swooping us into the delight of another day of life in You. Amen.

Living Water

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,  but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14 (NIV)

Lord, I'm too often thirsty for things that leave me empty. Give us all Your living water. Refresh us so we can serve others with joy. Amen.

Advent Devotional Booklet

Last year, I was invited by Creative Communications for the Parish publishers to write daily prayers for the Advent season. Our Lord Emmanuel: Daily Prayers for Advent  booklets are now available to order. Congregations and small groups can order bundles, or you can order one for your Advent quiet times this fall.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Grateful

Heavenly Father, my heart swells with awe at the beauty of what You have created, and beats with gratitude that You could love a child like me. Help my life bring You glory. Amen.

The Bridge

"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," I Timothy 2:5 (ESV)

Lord Jesus, thank you for being our bridge, for restoring our communion with the Father. Help us walk with You today. Guide our steps and let Your light shine in our hearts. Amen.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Seeking

I have sought your face with all my heart;
    be gracious to me according to your promise. Psalm 119:58 (NIV)

Lord, thank you for promising that when we seek, we will find. Thank you for wanting to be found by us. Reveal new things about Your nature today. Help us see more of Your grace. Amen.

(Feel free to share this using any of the buttons below the post)

Sneak Peek - The Deliverer Morning Prayer

“As my eyes first open, may I open my heart to the One who painted first light across the darkness and allows me to see.”  

-- Kendra's childhood morning prayer in The Deliverer by Sharon Hinck

Feel free to share this using any of the buttons below the post.

Sunlight and Storms

Years ago, I took this photo of a storm blowing past in Manasota Key, Florida. A beautiful sunset had begun to color the world. Then clouds banked in like a dark hand wiping across the sky. Soon after, the storm traveled onward and the threat disappeared down the coast.

Sometimes my life holds the contrast of breath-taking sunsets and frightening storm clouds. The wind whips my hair and if I stare into the dark, it seems to absorb the entire known world. Yet if I wait, it blows over and vibrant colors return, and I wonder what had me so frightened.

Our lives take courage. Courage to see both beauty and darkness. Courage to stand on the shore and wait for the clouds to pass.

Lord, help us all today. Give us courage to serve you in our roles as parents, waiters, managers, receptionists, salespeople, artists, singers, ministers, construction workers. Everywhere we walk on this planet we see reminders of the amazing beauty of your creation, as well as the devastating clouds of our fall and rebellion. Thank you that the storms are temporary and your grace and love are eternal. Amen.

(Feel free to share this post using any of the buttons below)

So Great a Love

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth,    so great is his love for those who fear him." Psalm 103:11 (NIV)

Lord, You beckon us to look up, to look beyond, to embrace the knowledge of how complete and boundless is Your love. May that awareness strengthen us for the less-than-ethereal challenges of our pilgrimage on this earth. Amen.

(Feel free to share this verse and prayer by using any of the buttons below the post)

Remarkable Breakfast

^"Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.' None of the disciples dared ask him, 'Who are you?' They knew it was the Lord." John 21:12

The Gospel of John recounts a beautiful reprise of previous fishing experiences with His disciples. After His resurrection, Jesus directs their catch and then serves them breakfast. 

Lord, when You provide my nourishment today, let my heart rejoice in knowing it is You who grants every blessing. Amen.

The Heaven's Declare

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1 (NIV)

Dear Lord, the vastness and beauty and mystery of the night sky remind me of the vastness and beauty and mystery of Your love. Help me hear the declaration of the skies each day. You are glorious. Amen.

Blessings!

Sharon Hinck

Our Shepherd

"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?" Matthew 18:12 (NIV)

Dear Faithful Shepherd, I am so prone to wander. Thank you for pursuing me, rescuing me, and carrying me home. Amen.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
author of The Deliverer

Art as Reflection

"Art is a reflection of God’s creativity, an evidence that we are made in the image of God." -- Francis Schaeffer

Lord, thank you for allowing us the blessing and joy of creating. May our artistic creations bring You glory. Amen!

Sharon Hinck
author of The Deliverer