May 13, 2026 – Mind-set
Streams – Romans 8:26 – “We do not know what we ought to pray for.” From selected sources, Cowman starts with this concerning, but true statement, “Often it is simply the answers to our prayers that cause many of the difficulties in the Christian life. We pray for patience, and our Father sends demanding people our way who test us to the limit, ‘because…suffering produces perseverance’ (Rom. 5:3).” She offers more virtues that we pray for and how God works with us to cultivate them in us and then she offers, “The way to peace and victory is to accept every circumstance and every trial as being straight from the hand of our loving Father; to live ‘with him in the heavenly realms’ (Eph. 2:6), above the clouds, in the very presence of His throne; and to look down from glory on our circumstances as being lovingly and divinely appointed.”
Power – Hebrews 10:36 – “For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.” Joyce follows Cowman’s thoughts and offers, “Don’t get discouraged if forming a new mind-set seems difficult in the beginning. You may have to say you will trust God and not worry thousands of times before you start to feel the effects of saying so. There’s nothing wrong with that! Each time you come into agreement with God in your thoughts and words, you are making progress…. You are training your mind to work for you instead of against you, which takes faith and patience. Don’t forget: Where the mind goes, the man follows.”
Speaking of the mind perhaps wandering off course, I keep getting distracted by Instagram posts this morning (very unlike me). One popped up as Don and I were texting (he’s out of town ready to meet up with his youngest who just went through a rigorous elite Army selection) and each time I go to check texts, I take the bait and check the feed again. It has definitely cut into my writing time, but I don’t think it has been wasted time. Everything that has popped up has been inspirational in some way: clips of children (prodigies) playing instruments and singing, a man happy dancing (to “Islands in the Stream”) with uplifting thoughts, and then this list of prayers, by mei_linusa, to start the day with:
- Prayer of thanks – Heavenly Father, thank You for waking me up today and for the gift of life and for protecting me through the night.
- Prayer for protection – Lord, place Your hand on my life today, protect my mind, my heart and my path, shield me from harm.
- Prayer for wisdom – God, guide my thoughts and decisions, give me clarity, patience, understanding.
- Prayer for peace – Father, when stress or worry tries to enter my mind remind me that You are in control, let me walk through this day calm, focused and trusting in you. Amen.
JC – “Do you trust Me to orchestrate your life events as I choose, or are you still trying make things go according to your will? If you keep trying to carry out your intentions while I am leading you in another direction, you deify your desires. Be on the lookout for what I am doing in your life. Worship Me by living close to Me, thanking Me in all circumstances.”
Prevail #133 – Larson uses Psalm 19: 1-2 to point out that, “King David wisely understood the dichotomy between his own smallness and God’s greatness. The more David reflected on God’s majesty, the more he realized his own tendency to miss Him. God has made sure that anyone who wants to know Him, will know Him…. His magnificent creation reveals His lavish love and meticulous attention to detail…. He speaks through His Word, through others, through the inward nudge of the Holy Spirit within us, through a song, a sense, and even a subtle shift in circumstances. But we’ll miss Him if we’re not watching and listening for Him…. Slow your pace today and look for evidences of God all around you.”
JL – “Cherished Jesus, I’m so thankful that You are committed to the renewing of my mind…. Please help me remember that You are always near – and train my mind to seek You in every moment, every situation…. As I seek You and communicate with You, You renovate my mind – transforming me! In Your magnificent Name, Amen.”
