Reflection: Doubts: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. In what ways have past failures stopped you from taking on a new possibility?

2. How have you turned to prayer to seek His guidance and counsel when fears once again attack?

3. What word of promise enables you to resist and trust?

4. What decision are you struggling with today?

Doubts: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Jeremiah 31: 22, “’How long will you go here and there, O faithless daughter? For the Lord has created a new thing in the earth—A woman will encompass a man.’”

A new thing,

Forgive us, Lord, that we still allow doubts and fears to infect our choices and decisions, or perhaps indecisions is the more realistic word.

You have created all things new and nothing is beyond your hands.

And yet we still falter.

Maybe because we know You have given us free choice and we are afraid to fail again. To go the wrong path again.

Can our choice be that You will override any wrong plans we make and keep us on Your highway no matter how much we try to resist—whether actively by actions or simply in our hearts?

We don’t want to go randomly here and there. We want to be in the place You choose for us and live by Your Spirit’s guidance.

Lord, please forgive us our unfaithfulness to You, especially as we see daily Your protecting grace. Please remove the fear that keeps us from a whole heart of trust and faith. Please give us Your strength to step into our new life with hope and commitment.

Your thoughts,

Highway: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

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                                               Highway

                                                Many roads

                                                many highways

                                                some of scenic beauty

                                                some filled with danger

                                                hardship and loneliness

                                                heard of one

                                                called by some Holy

                                                God’s invitation.

                                                No traveler, it is said,

                                                not even a fool,

                                                shall go astray

                                                should they falter.

                                                Highway protected

                                                His hand sustains

                                                regardless of distance will

                                                reach destination safely.

Romans 8:21, “that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”

Reflection: Return: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. Have you ever taken a wrong turn and ended up confused or lost?

2. What decisions and choices did you need to make to get back on track?

3. What kind of roadmarks and guideposts will help you to stay on God’s highway without false distractions?

4. What is the next turning point before you?

Return: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Jeremiah 31: 21, “Set up for yourselves roadmarks, Place for yourself guideposts; Direct your mind to the highway, The way by which you went. Return, O virgin of Israel, Return to these your cities.”

Return,

Roads go in both directions. There is always a way back—a way to return.

The landscape may have changed. The trip may now be more difficult, yet there are still markers to guide us. Turning points that give concrete arrows to destination. An internal map is also added as hope.

And each time we pause to rest we gain a new perspective. Some of our past completely forgotten, some just as remembered, but now we can see through a different lens. His roadmarks—His destination—His eternal promise—forgiveness.

“A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools shall go astray.” Isaiah 35:8

A road that leads to ongoing life even if the road is a path of boulders.

Lord, please show us the roadmarks we are to walk. Give us Your vision we pray to see through our dimness and confusion. You have gifted us with extended life, Lord. Please show us how to live into it without further waste.

Your thoughts,

Still Remember: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

                                    Still Remember

                                    Those we love

                                    are never gone

                                   

                                    whether life or death

                                    or distance has

                                    separated.

                                    The yearning endless,

                                    a joy overflows

                                    whenever reunion

                                    or connections are made

                                    sustaining our hearts.

                                    So the Lord

                                    still remembers

                                    searches for each missing

                                    soul wrapping us up with His

                                    sacrificial mercy.

Romans 8:20, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope.”

Reflection: Yearns: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. Have you ever felt forgotten or abandoned?

2. Have you ever felt you abandoned someone?

3. What brought about reconciliation or could bring about reconciliation?

4. How has the Lord brought His mercy to reconnect with you?