Prayers of My Heart Prayer Journal Archives | Debbie Taylor Williams

Good Year? Bad Year?

12/30/2023

FRIENDS, IF YOU RECEIVE DUPLICATES OF THIS DEVOTIONAL, PLEASE ACCEPT MY DEEPEST APOLOGIES. WE ARE WORKING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. HANG IN HERE WITH US & PRAY IT CAN BE QUICKLY RESOLVED. THANK YOU!

As you look at the past year, are your thoughts, “It’s been great!” Or are your thoughts more along the lines of, “It’s been a rough year”? Perhaps the “rough” is related to health issues, finances, work, marriage, children, parents, and friendships. It may be related to your frustration with yourself, that you continue to struggle with the same issues. Whatever the case, God wants us to be mindful of the fact that just as He was there for us in the past, He’ll be there for us in the new year. That’s something for which to be grateful!

Why not be intentional about developing a more grateful attitude in the new year? Why develop a more grateful attitude? Consider – who would you rather be around? A negative person or a grateful person; someone who takes advantage of your kindness or someone who expresses their appreciation? Psalm 63:4 says,

I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

Are you daily blessing the Lord by recalling what He does for you each day? I’m not referring to generalities such as, “Thank you, God, for this food and our home and family,” although we should express our appreciation to God for those things. Rather, I’m referring to blessing the Lord by gratefully celebrating how He has worked in your day and in the lives of those for whom you have prayed. I hope you have a copy of Prayers of My Heart journal so you can begin the new year daily lifting your hands in praise, lifting your pen to paper, and journaling God’s character traits and what He has done each day. It is not too late to order. Make this next year distinct by making it the year you daily bless God with your thanks.

Here’s a good place to start: Our Heavenly Father is

just and justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:26

We bless you, Lord, for being both just and for being our justifier. We are so grateful!

Share

Check Your “Ask/Worship” Ratio

11/23/2023

During the Thanksgiving season we often emphasize the need to be thankful, grateful people. But how is our ask/worship ratio most days of the week? In other words, do we recognize God’s hand in our everyday life and thank and worship Him? Or, are we guilty of barely acknowledging God’s many blessings and only saying an occasional, “Thank you” over a meal? In other words, from God’s perspective, are we grateful or ungrateful? Second Samuel 22:14 records how David cried out to God. God’s response? “The Lord thundered from heaven, and the MOST HIGH uttered His voice.” David’s response? He worshipped God. His words of praise are found in 2 Samuel 22. Among the many ways David acknowledged God, one was as “the Most High” God. David’s example of worship should prompt us to examine our prayer life. Are we full of asks but short on worship? If so, consider journaling. Recording your prayer requests and then words of praise to God as He answers them will increase your “worship/ask” ratio. Follow David’s example, a man after God’s own heart.

Lord, Most High God, forgive us for asking but not worshipping You with thanksgiving. Holy Spirit, prompt us to be grateful, thankful believers who worship more than we ask.

Share

The Difference in Slow and Fast

09/18/2023

Are you hot-tempered or does it take a lot to get you angry? What kind of person would you rather be around – a hot-tempered or patient, loving one? What kind of Heavenly Father do you prefer? One quickly angered by your shortcomings or slow to anger? If you said you’d rather be in a relationship with someone who is slow to anger and great in love, you’re on the same page as Psalm 145:8. Psalm 145 encourages us to give thanks for God’s name and to praise Him. Why?

The Lord is gracious and merciful; SLOW TO ANGER and great in lovingkindness.

Prayers of My Heart journal is a great place to record your thanks to God for all the ways He is revealed in the Bible. It is also a thoughtful and meaningful gift for someone who is going through a hard time. Share with them the benefit of focusing on who God is and because of who He is, the many ways He can help them.

Lord, thank You for being SLOW to ANGER. We love You and thank You for revealing Yourself to us in the Bible. Each of Your character traits encourages us. Our souls are at peace knowing You are an ever-present help.

Friends, I’d love to have you join me any week on Wednesdays or Thursdays for our weekly Bible Study of John. Click here for more info.

Live outside of the Texas Hill Country? No problem! My weekly teachings and Listening Guides will be added HERE each week so you can follow along or use it for a group study.

Share

Are You a Tommy or David?

05/26/2023

Standing in the checkout line, I noticed the child from the corner of my eye. You couldn’t help but notice. He was throwing a temper tantrum. “I want it!” he wailed at the top of his lungs. The bedraggled mother tried her best to wrestle the package of M & Ms from his hands while apologizing to the cashier. She didn’t dare look at the customers in line behind her. Tommy “wanted” the M & M’s. That was clear. But his mother knew full well that her child wasn’t “lacking” for food. His temper tantrum wasn’t unfamiliar to me. Although I don’t like to admit it, sometimes I can be like Tommy. When I get my mind around what I think I want and I don’t get it, I may complain. I may whine in my spirit. What makes me different from Tommy? Height and weight. There’s something else, though, that can and should make believers different from Tommy. The renowned shepherd, David, points us to the key to being calm and trusting God rather than demanding and complaining. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 David grasped something I sometimes forget. There’s a difference between what I “want” and what I “lack.” Psalm 23:1 is best interpreted,

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack for nothing.

In other words, David was aware that the Lord was watching over him, leading him, and protecting him. He was mindful of his Shepherd’s provision. If there are times you focus more on what you want rather than on God’s provision and you want to develop a more grateful attitude, consider journaling what you are grateful for every day in Prayers of My Heart prayer journal. Why? It will help you. 7 Benefits of Journaling. Begin today looking more like Christ and less like Tommy.

Jehovah-Ra-ah, thank You for being our Shepherd. In You, we lack for nothing.

Prayers of My Heart HERE.

Share

Good Year? Bad Year?

12/30/2021

As you look at the past year, are your thoughts, “It’s been great!” Or are your thoughts more along the lines of, “It’s been a rough year”? Perhaps the “rough” is related to health issues, finances, work, your marriage, children, parents, friendships. It may be related to your frustration with yourself, that you continue to struggle with the same issues. Whatever the case, God wants us to be mindful of the fact that just as He was there for us in the past, He’ll be there for us in the new year. That’s something for which to be grateful!

Why not be intentional about developing a more grateful attitude in the new year? Why bother? Consider – who would you rather be around? A negative person or a grateful person; someone who takes advantage of your kindness or someone who expresses their appreciation? Psalm 63:4 says,

“I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.”

Are you daily blessing the Lord by recalling what He does for you each day? I’m not referring to generalities such as, “Thank you, God, for this food and our home and family,” although we should express our appreciation to God for those things. Rather, I’m referring to blessing the Lord by gratefully celebrating how He has worked in your day and in the lives of those for whom you have prayed. I hope you have a copy of Prayers of My Heart journal so you can begin the new year daily lifting your hands in praise, lifting your pen to paper and journaling God’s character trait and what He has done each day. It is not too late to order. Make this next year distinct by making it the year you daily bless God with your thanks.

Here’s a good place to start: Our Heavenly Father is

“just and justifierof the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:26

We bless you, Lord, for being both just and for being our justifier. We are so grateful!

Share

The Difference in Slow and Fast

10/06/2021

Are you hot-tempered or does it take a lot to get you angry? What kind of person would you rather be around – a hot-tempered or patient, loving one? What kind of Heavenly Father do you prefer? One quickly angered by your shortcomings or slow to anger? If you said you’d rather be in a relationship with someone who is slow to anger and great in love, you’re on the same page as Psalm 145:8. Psalm 145 encourages us to give thanks for God’s name and to praise Him. Why?

The Lord is gracious and merciful; SLOW TO ANGER and great in lovingkindness.

Prayers of My Heart journal is a great place to record your thanks to God for all the ways He is revealed in the Bible. It is also a thoughtful and meaningful gift for someone who is going through a hard time. Share with them the benefit of focusing on who God is and because of who He is, the many ways He can help them.

Lord, thank You for being SLOW to ANGER. We love You and thank You for revealing Yourself to us in the Bible. Each of Your character traits encourages us. Our souls are at peace knowing You are an ever present help.

Share

Are You a Tommy or David?

06/05/2021

Standing in the checkout line, I noticed the child from the corner of my eye. You couldn’t help but notice. He was throwing a temper tantrum. “I want it!” he wailed at the top of his lungs. The bedraggled mother tried her best to wrestle the package of M & Ms from his hands while apologizing to the cashier. She didn’t dare look at the customers in line behind her. Tommy “wanted” the M & M’s. That was clear. But his mother knew full well that her child wasn’t “lacking” for food. His temper tantrum wasn’t unfamiliar to me. Although I don’t like to admit it, sometimes I can be like Tommy. When I get my mind around what I think I want and I don’t get it, I may complain. I may whine in my spirit. What makes me different from Tommy? Height and weight. There’s something else, though, that can and should make believers different from Tommy. The renowned shepherd, David, points us to the key to being calm and trusting God rather than demanding and complaining. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 David grasped something I sometimes forget. There’s a difference between what I “want” and what I “lack.” Psalm 23:1 is best interpreted,

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack for nothing.

In other words, David was aware that the Lord was watching over him, leading him, and protecting him. He was mindful of his Shepherd’s provision. If there are times you focus more on what you want rather than on God’s provision and you want to develop a more grateful attitude, consider journaling what you are grateful for every day in Prayers of My Heart prayer journal. Why? It will help you. 7 Benefits of Journaling. Begin today looking more like Christ and less like Tommy.

Jehovah-Ra-ah, thank You for being our Shepherd. In You, we lack for nothing.

Prayers of My Heart HERE.

Share

Be a Psalm 63:4er this YEAR!

01/01/2021

As you look at the past year are your thoughts, “It’s been great!” Or, are your thoughts more along the lines of, “It’s been a rough or bad year”? Perhaps the “rough” or “bad” is related to the pandemic, finances, work, marriage, children, parents, or friendships. It may be related to your frustration with yourself, that you continue to struggle with sin. Whatever the case, something that God wants us to be mindful of is that He was there for us in the past and He’s not going anywhere. He’s staying by our side. As Romans 3:26 reminds us, He is “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” It’s important for us to have an increasingly grateful heart for who God is and for His presence in our lives. It’s important for us, but it’s also important because of how we affect other people. For instance, who would you rather be around? A negative, cup is always half empty, grumbling person or a grateful person who is mindful of the blessings they have in Christ? Psalm 63:4 says, “I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.” Would you join me in making this year one in which we are intentional about living out Psalm 63:4? If you have Prayers of My Heart Journal, a great place to daily lift your hands in praise of God is in the Month at a Glance section. That’s where I daily write three+ praises to God. A second place to continue your praise is in the first column of the Week at a Glance section. That’s where I will record today’s character trait of God, “Justifier.” While I am writing it in my journal, I will lift up my heart and soul to Him and thank Him for justifying me in Christ Jesus. Yes, we can kick start our day with or without intentionally directing our spirit to bless the Lord and “lift up our hands in His name.” What will it be for us this year? Order Prayers of My Heart today for a donation of any amount. JOIN the POMH Gathering on Facebook for additional encouragement. Love you and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Debbie

We praise you, Lord, for being both just and our justifier. We are so grateful!

Share

The Difference in Slow and Fast

10/02/2020

Are you hot-tempered or does it take a lot to get you angry? What kind of person would you rather be around – a hot-tempered or patient, loving one? What kind of Heavenly Father do you prefer? One quickly angered by your shortcomings or slow to anger? If you said you’d rather be in a relationship with someone who is slow to anger and great in love, you’re on the same page as Psalm 145:8. Psalm 145 encourages us to give thanks for God’s name and to praise Him. Why? “The Lord is gracious and merciful; SLOW TO ANGER and great in lovingkindness.” Prayers of My Heart journal is a great place to record your thanks to God for all the ways the Bible describes Him. It is also a thoughtful and meaningful gift for someone who is going through a hard time. Share with them the benefit of focusing on who God is and because of who He is, the many ways He can help them.

Lord, thank You for being SLOW to ANGER. We love You and thank You for revealing Yourself to us in the Bible. Each of Your character traits encourages us. Our souls are at peace knowing You are an ever present help.

Share

Are You Like Tommy or David?

06/01/2020

Standing in the grocery store check out line, I noticed the child from the corner of my eye. You couldn’t help but notice. He was throwing a temper tantrum. “I want it!” he wailed at the top of his lungs. The bedraggled mother tried her best to wrestle the package of M & Ms from his hands while struggling at the same time to apologize to the cashier. She didn’t dare look at the customers in line behind her. Tommy “wanted” the M & M’s. That was clear. But, his mother knew full well that her child wasn’t “lacking” for food. His temper tantrum wasn’t unfamiliar to me. Although I don’t like to admit it, I’m a lot like Tommy. I may not lay on the floor and kick and scream. But when I get my mind around what I want and I don’t get it, I may complain. I may whine in my spirit. What makes me different from Tommy? Height and weight. There’s something else, though, that can and should make believers different from Tommy. The renown shepherd, David, points us to the key to being calm and trusting rather than demanding and complaining. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 David had grasped something I sometimes forget. There’s a difference between what I “want” and what I “lack.” Psalm 23:1 is best interpreted, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack for nothing.” In other words, David was keenly aware that the Lord was watching over him, leading him, and protecting him. He was mindful of his Shepherd’s provision. If there are more times you focus on what you want rather than on God’s provision and you want to develop more of an attitude of gratitude, join me in daily journaling your gratitudes in Prayers of My Heart prayer journal. Discover the 7 Benefits of Journaling. Our Heavenly Father wants us to grow closer to the image of Christ and less like Tommy. Will you begin today?

Jehovah-Ra-ah, we praise You, our Shepherd. In You, we lack for nothing. May we set our minds on the things above according to Your Word. Get Prayers of My Heart HERE.

Share