I’ve been really sad for a while.
I’ve found myself choking back tears as I watch and listen to Facebook feeds, the Twitter battles, the comments of friends, neighbors, strangers.
The vitriol. The toxicity. The accusations. The harshness. The distrust.
Relationships shatter like beer bottles tossed onto a busy interstate.
Friendships severed. Families splintered. Unity dismantled.
I’ve felt torn apart inside. Helpless. Paralyzed.
I’ve prayed and waited and waited and prayed.
I know that on March 1 we will dive into The Lent Challenge by reading Beloved Gospel of John together for 40 days. I’m expectant for what God is going to do in and through this intentional study and reflection. (By the way, your Beloved booklets are in the process of being shipped to you for everyone who pre-ordered. We have a few extra if you slip your order in fast!)
I expect God to move in big ways then, but I want to be wildly alive to His presence and faithfulness today. Each and every day.
I don’t want to live in this sadness.
And I think I’ve found a way forward.
This past week, Leif and l talked for some time. Together, we decided to begin each day with a simple prayer:
Holy Spirit, what do you want me to do today?
Then do the first thing that comes to mind.
Some days, nothing emerges, so we echo the prayer throughout the day.
We want to lean into the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We want to walk in greater obedience. We have this deep sense this matters now more than ever.
And we secretly wonder, “What if you joined us?”
What if we all began praying this prayer each morning?
Imagine how our churches would be different. Our communities would be different. Our world would be different.
I’ve put together a FREE DOWNLOAD for you to join us.
Simply print out the free download. Commit that for the next 7 days you’ll begin each day asking:
Holy Spirit, what do you want me to do today?
You may have an act of kindness, a word of encouragement, or a simple word come to mind. The Holy Spirit may be encouraging you to start writing your story. If what you’re sensing doesn’t go against Scripture or harm others, respond in obedience.
I’m becoming increasingly convinced that as believers we can’t afford to worship or follow a binary God. We must lean into the fullness of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Will you join me in praying this simple prayer for the next 7 days?
Will you courageously share what you sense each day?
Let’s do this together. Grab the download here.
Recommended Resources:
I’m so relieved. When I saw the introduction and title to your post, I thought that if it contained more “vitriol, accusations, toxicity, harshness, distrust” that I would feel despair that you, also, would join in the fray. So, your approach to the situation was such a breath of fresh air, of the Holy Spirit moving in you to reach out to us, the readers. Thank you for your commitment to prayer, to gentleness, to kindness, and to His Way. I will join you in the daily prayer to the Holy Spirit and where He leads.
So glad you will join me in praying! Hugs!
Reading your comments about all the negative things that are going on, just reminded me why I don’t watch TV. You know the enemy is using all of this to take your eyes off of where they should be.
FATHER, thank you for another beautiful day.
Let’s keep our eyes focused on the One that matters!
This “vitriol, accusations, toxicity, harshness, distrust” isn’t new. This has been going on for more than 8 yrs. It’s just becoming part of every one’s daily life due to the media and social media. I decided years ago to remember that is president but Jesus is my king. I pray for the presidents. May their hearts turn to God.
So true. Thank you for sharing your comment, which adds a great insight to the post!
Thank you for that reminder, Mary!
Thank you Margaret! This BLESSED my SOUL! Each day I ask, “Father, what are you saying to me today?” But to ask, “Holy Spirit, what do you want me to do today?” is a beautiful way to follow up with ACTION…to act on LOVE. I appreciate you!!
Love it, DaNae! Hugs!
Yes, yes and yes again!
Hugs, Tara!
I prayed your prayer this morning and the first thing that came to mind was to forgive someone. An employee of my husband’s called in saying that he couldn’t work today because he didn’t sleep well. This happens to be a day that they are shorthanded anyway and I was furious. I started spouting off to my husband first of all and he said, “if I’m not worried why are you ?” That made me even angrier until I read your post. Thank you and I know that might not be what you have in mind, but the Holy Spirit got a hold of my spirit and now I will have a better day with forgiveness in my heart and be able to do other things the Holy Spirit asks of me today. I’m praying for all of us believers that we will walk in the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Thank you so much for your post and I relate to your sadness.
Thanks for sharing, Kathy! Hugs!
Dearest Margaret, My deep thanks for this that you have published on this subject. With all of the brutal remarks and behaviors that are rampant at this time, I have been praying that you would bring us your insightful perspective. God’s people need to hear from folks like you who have a deep experience of God in Spirit and Word as well as a steeped-in expertise in the helping disciplines, especially Psychology that is filtered through a sound and life-giving Theological lens. I am refusing to accept horizontal point of view on the Lower Story scenario. I am striving to give my full attention to what the God of all and Savior of the world is doing in our chapters of His Story through the Upper Story lenses. Your voice matters… with gratitude, Catherine Turner Bismuth
Thank you for the encouragement, Cat! Hugs!
#COUNTMEIN
My pastor just said yesterday, “If you can’t hear the voice of your Heavenly Father, there’s a pretty good chance you aren’t where you are supposed to be”.
i can’t wait for my BELOVED study to arrive!
Thank you Margaret.
So excited to start our study of John! Thanks for joining us!
Hello Margaret,
Great post and I will definitely be asking the Holy Spirit what He wants me to do today.
I also wrote a blog that you might find interesting that touches on the same extreme and volatile conditions that exist in the world today. Here is the link: https://warrriorforchrist.wordpress.com/2017/01/23/the-monsters-are-due-on-maple-street/
Thanks for sharing, Christine!
Margaret, I am so relieved and blessed by your post. When I saw this come through my email, I thought, “Oh no…more negativity.” I’m so glad you are encouraging us to keep our eyes on Jesus and pray for God to use us. I’m very excited to focus on the Lent season and thank you so much for the download. Many blessings to you!
Thanks for engaging, Julie! Definitely looking forward to this Lenten season! Hugs!
I know that the evil one would rather I focus on the negative things that are spouted and I choose to guard my Joy in the LORD and focus on what is lovely and true as scripture suggests that we do. You encourage us all–I am devouring FLOURISH right now and I can’t wait to walk through Lent with you! Let us shine brightly with the joy of the LORD as it will draw men and women to Him and that is our goal. Much love! xoxo
Thanks for joining the conversation, Tracey! So happy you are enjoying Flourish! Hugs!
Just followed your directions regarding the Holy Spirit. I asked what He would have me do today. I heard the name Marg, a dear friend who I haven’t connected with for a long time and asked her to meet for coffee. We did and we had a marvelous time talking about the Lord and many other things. She is separated from her husband and has had her 2 sons pass away. She has no family left. Today is “family day” in BC and she said she was so glad she could spend today with me and she said she considers me to be her sister, her family! My heart is full! Thank you Margaret!
So sweet! Thanks for sharing!
Amen Sister!
Joining you …
Thank you, Kathleen!
joining in the asking, the seeking, the knocking…
Happy to have you join in, Karin! Hugs!
Margaret, What a fabulous way to start the day , speaking to our Holy Spirit! My Holy Spirit really has helped remind me who I am and have been.
Blessings on sharing with us your concerns and sadness of the world. We all needed to come together turning our world back to God.
Thank you Margaret for being our voice!
Thank you for the encouragement, Nancy! Hugs!
Thank you Margaret. Your words are spot on. People are turning to the wrong things in this world and spewing so much meanness instead of turning to the One True God! Much love to you!
Hugs to you, Kim!
I am going to join you in the daily prayer asking the Holy Spirit what to do. I am taking this post from you as a sign from the Holy Spirit for me to join in. I have been feeling torn apart too. I have stopped watching the evening news. I have stopped reading news on the internet. I have switched to a different church service with a new preacher who is more encouraging than critical. And my One Word for 2017 is “Forward”! I keep seeing this word everywhere, as well as this post. So here I go, Forward!
Thank you for joining us, Janet! Hugs!
Hello – this is my first time reading your blog. However, the subject line really resonated with me. It seems as if the ‘lid’ had been removed from a boiling pot and everything is spilling out. When I read some of the articles and then the comments that follow, I am stunned at the negativity and the viciousness that’s in front of me. I was so upset that my daughter had to remind me to stop reading the comments beneath the articles. I was held captive in horrified fascination. Thank you for letting me know, I wasn’t the only person struggling and thank you reminding me of the solution that’s been there in front of me. I’m late but I will be seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit daily, as to what he wants me to do.