Good morning, DearHeart.

Our Liv is an intense little soul. She goes full throttle, she thinks full throttle, and we pray full throttle for her … mostly that her big personality will stay on course to always bring her Maker big glory. It is important to me that she learns to pray that for herself, too. To be used by God for His purpose.

Do you pray for yourself? I mean seriously–

pray …

for …

yourself.

I’m horrible at this in my prayer life.

Think about all the people you pray for and the intensity with which you pray for them. Do you pray for yourself in the same way?

In my quiet time a couple of weeks ago, I read through Psalm 90 in the New Living Translation. It’s a familiar psalm, but when I got to the last verse, I stopped in my tracks. I grew up reading and studying the New American Standard Bible and the New International Version. I love both of them. But I’m growing to to love the NLT. Its freshness is easy to read. Sometimes, however, the translation is completely different than what I expect.

Here are the two translations of verse 17 that I am most used to:

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands. Ps 90:17 NIV.

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands. Ps 90:17 NASB.

Establish the work of our hands.

Confirm the work of our hands.

I pray these words over my man and his work almost every day. He works all the time. Never stops. So, I decided long ago that if he is going to devote so much time and energy to it, then I want his work to have meaning and I want it to last.

But, then … the New Living Translation sheds new light.

And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful! Ps 90:17 NLT

This struck a new chord … OUR EFFORTS. I stopped and journaled all that was on my heart. This writing is part of it. I rarely pray for myself. And, I certainly don’t pray that God would make my efforts successful! How selfish. Why, that would be promoting myself!

Or, would it?

I have this blog. My goal for this blog is to encourage others in their walk with Christ. My desire is for anything I write to bring glory to God!

Of course I want it to be successful!

Of course I should pray that God will grant favor on my efforts so that He is glorified (Proverbs 16:3) Not to advance “my kingdom,” but to advance His Kingdom–so many would know Christ and see Him in the story of their life each day, too.

Do you pray for yourself that God would bring success to your efforts so that He is glorified in your life?

About a week ago all I needed–was good sleep. Good sleep does not come easily anymore. Hot flashes and night sweats are my evening companions. Ugh. TMI 🤷🏼‍♀️

As I closed my eyes, I asked God for the gift of sleep for that night. You know what? I slept all night. The first time in weeks, or months! When I woke up, I realized–I rarely pray for myself! Do you?

Do you pray for yourself to sleep well at night? The psalmists prayed for sleep (I was curious and looked it up) (Ps 3:5 & 4:8)

I told Dale I slept so good – he knows – and experiences my nightly gymnastics meet 😂. You know what I realized? I rarely pray for myself and the healing of my physical body.

When you are sick or injured (especially in minor situations), do you pray for yourself to be healed or to recover quickly?  We should follow the example of the woman who squeezed through the crowd, simply to touch Jesus’ robe. She was healed immediately – one of my favorite miracles – Mark 5:25-29.

So many people need prayer. My husband, my children, my parents, our families – nieces, nephews … so many friends – many of you who are walking through deep trenches of suffering.

The list goes on … with so many other people who desperately need prayer, who am I to focus on myself? That is the voice of the adversary – shut him out by praying for yourself. If I don’t pray for myself, and you don’t pray for yourself, then, we are not going to be the best deal for others who need us.

Wake up.

Self care = self prayer.

Do it now.

Go.