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How Prayer Ignited Our Hope During The Covid Pandemic

At 9-centimeters dilated and laboring, police escorted my support out. Covid-19 was changing hospital protocols by the minute. Heartbroken and tired I was learning the hard way that life in lockdown would look different than the plans we made. 

2020 for my family was like a scene from the movie Cast Away with Tom Hanks and his volleyball friend, Wilson. My husband and I hunkered down at home with days between showers, feeling lost, ignorant, scared, and desperately reaching out for rescue with a newborn in our hands. Being stuck on our own private island wasn’t a fantasy anymore. 

Family canceled flights and friends stayed home. My husband and I were forced to celebrate our little girl alone. The long days in isolation turned into weeks of postpartum tears and despair. We were facing baby battles on the outside and feeling fear on the inside. 

Finding time to read my Bible for encouragement and strength was incredibly difficult. Under a slew of sleepless nights and strenuous, tear-soaked days, my thoughts were growing weary and my role as a mom was feeling heavy. 

In a frantic SOS text, a friend responded, “God equipped you with His Word in all the days leading up to this moment. He knew back then what you would need today. His Word is in you.” The wrestling in my soul went still as I recalled Psalm 23 in my mind: 

“’The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.’” Psalm 23:1-6 ESV

Friend, if you feel yourself drowning under the hardships of life or you feel overwhelmed by the battles you’re up against, draw on what the Lord has planted in you out of this season. Recall His faithfulness in all the moments that brought you here. God was planting His seeds of hope back then to grow in this season you’re in. The Helper is in you and has equipped you with what you need to live in His presence today. 

Everything you need you already have.

During stay-at-home orders, our church started mid-week prayer calls on Zoom to help connect the congregation outside of Sunday online services. Every Wednesday my husband and I logged on to see our spiritual family face to face through the screen and partner with Jesus and the Church in prayer for our city, our nation, its leaders, and the pandemic. It was like a breath resuscitating our dry bones.

In the fabric of our being, we were all created to come to the Father with our praise, our pleas, and to just be. Present. Listening. Longing. Not the kind of self-centered prayers that focus solely on how our situation could be better. Our hearts need to be advocating for the Church with the Church, praying for the lost and those struggling through a pandemic without Jesus. 

The problem was my perspective. Seemingly overnight my heart of gratitude turned into grumbling. I was giving too much attention to what wasn’t working and missing the bigger picture. It’s easy to let emotions consume us in the valley of our circumstances. We might complain, become bitter, and get angry. The enemy deceives us into thinking our pain is too great, our strength too weak, and our burdens too heavy to possibly care for others. What more can we give when everything we have has been taken? 

The world looks a lot smaller when all we can see is our own struggle. When we’re staring at the trenches of our situation, we miss the Truth. I did have more to give. I had gifts of prayer stored up inside. I had songs of worship and blessings to give praise for. 

Prayer and worship are what held my family together when the world was falling apart.

Burying our thoughts in prayer instead of complaints kept us free and moving forward when we felt like giving up. Prayer renewed our minds and our hearts. Prayer was God’s grace and it gave us hope again.

Personally, motherhood turned out to be much different than I had planned. I had to release my grip on what I considered my purpose with work and writing and accept this new assignment in ministry as a full-time stay-at-home mom. This was my lane to run in and thrive. I realized that I can still change the world from here. And that brought me great peace to know that I am fulfilling my purpose and God-appointed assignment.

The global pandemic helped develop my prayer life and taught me to lean in and trust the Lord for perseverance. Marriage and motherhood in lockdown have both taught me to keep my focus on God. They have forced me to spend a lot of time on my knees and to be thankful for the moments I have in God’s Word. The more I pray and the more I seek God’s will, the better my ministry to my family becomes. 

‘Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.’ Psalm 112:4 ESV

© 2021 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

First Published on Empowered Women Faith Club

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How To Cross-Examine Your Life With The Bible

Taking up your cross

He was given one sentence in scripture but that one line says it all. 

“’As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross.’” Matthew 27:32 ESV

Simon’s final walk with Jesus was no doubt heavy and long and yet carrying His cross offered Simon a very intimate encounter with the Savior of the world.

I wonder if we are missing out on a deeper connection with Jesus when we refuse the crosses that lay in the way of our path in life?

‘Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’ Matthew 16:24 ESV

Just after Jesus foretells his own death and resurrection, He uses this phrase, “take up his [your] cross and follow me” as a command to his followers to dethrone any human desires and self-interests and enthrone His perfect plan and ways.

Practically Speaking

Taking up our cross might be saying ‘no’ to a particular ambition, dream, or career. The cross can be a stronghold or persistent struggle with sin. Our cross is anything that comes between living in complete obedience to Jesus. It is where our will and desires come in direct opposition to God’s will and divine plan. 

For some, the cross might include surrendering television shows or social media scrolling if it’s taking the place of prayer or time with Jesus. Maybe our cross is praying for those who are far from God. In the daily rhythms of life, taking up our cross is often simply setting aside what is most comfortable or convenient and doing the thing that brings the most honor or glory to God.

The cross is dying to ourselves. 

It might be showing compassion to those who are hurting when we don’t share the same views about their pain or perhaps walking away from our busy work to be present with our children. Our cross may be looking past an offense to forgiveness when we don’t want to let go of a grudge because Jesus is never more on display than in our choice to love and forgive.

We cannot say we follow Jesus while we elevate our own self.

As a parent, sacrifice might feel like all we ever do. Maybe as a people-pleaser, saying ‘no’ to ourselves is all we know. Taking up our cross goes beyond our daily submissions. This is a request to look beyond the actual sacrifice and ask ourselves if this surrender points to Jesus. Our crosses in life are what serve to advance the gospel.  

Is there a reflection of Christ in our giving? Does our sacrifice leave an aroma of Christ’s love and hospitality with our spouse, our neighbors, the waiter, or the grocery store clerk?taking up your cross

Staying Surrendered In Your Suffering

Opportunities to take up our cross sit outside of our limits. We might look at our watch for the time to serve or check our wallet for the resources to give, but carrying the cross will always ask for more. That’s why we must partner with Jesus, who sits outside of time and provides all our needs, to help us bear what we cannot do alone. 

For me, I find my cross in what frustrates me the most. When I feel weak or my spirit feels heavy, Jesus reminds me that I’m limping with the cross on my own. It’s important to stay surrendered to Jesus every step of the way in our suffering. He will bear the heavy lifting and persevere us through it. 

As we make difficult choices that reflect Jesus and honor God, the Holy Spirit will chisel away at our character, mature our spiritual development, and work these trials out for our good. We may not be called to missions in a foreign land or daily persecution for our faith, but as followers of Jesus, we all have a cross to take up with Christ. 

If you were given one sentence to summarize your life, what would that line say? Would we read about Jesus and the cross you carried together? Every day we have an incredible opportunity to walk intimately with the King of Kings and be a living sacrifice to a hurting and searching world. Our cross is what we have in common with Jesus.

In Your Life:

Taking up our cross is unselfish living. What excuses do I get trapped in when an opportunity to serve and share Jesus is available?

Sacrifice brings suffering. What am I afraid of when it comes to taking up my cross? 

Taking up my cross goes beyond sacrifice. It’s a deliberate choice to share Jesus. Where is one place I can lean in and listen like Jesus, give or serve like Jesus, and submit to God’s leading today?

 

© 2021 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

First Published on Empowered Women Faith Club

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How to Change Your Life

The power is in your praise and prayer

When the Covid crisis began last Spring, my husband and I were expecting our first child. Dreams for that glorious day when we would meet our little girl were dashed when we learned of hospital restrictions, airline cancellations, and lockdown procedures. My husband and I were getting a taste of parenthood during a pandemic.

Just over 24 hours after delivering our little one, we were packing up and heading home where there were no visitors waiting, no extra hands to help out, and no hot meals being delivered. Isolated, sleep-deprived, and puzzled by all the unknowns with a newborn, my spirit struggled to call this joy. Streams of postpartum tears were the only expression I had left in me.praise and prayer change your life

About halfway through the book of Acts, we find the apostle Paul in Philippi sharing the good news of Jesus. Paul encountered a slave girl with an evil spirit and he cast the spirit out. This cost the owners of the slave girl some fortune-telling money and they had Paul thrown in jail.

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.” (Acts‬ ‭16:25-26‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

When all is stripped away, we still have everything we need to praise and pray.

Paul lost his freedom but he didn’t let a dark place pull him down. When pressed, Paul responded to his trial with praise and prayer; two things that could never be taken away.

In his difficulty, Paul decided to sing. He didn’t dwell on his dire situation, the darkness, or the detour from his mission, but instead placed his thoughts in a position of praise and prayer.

A change of heart

This summer in the middle of isolation, my pastor stood on the stage of our empty sanctuary and begged the Church not to lose hope. He said, “fatigue is the great enemy of faith.” He urged us to grab a notebook and use entire sheets of paper to write out encouraging reminders to hold fast to our faith. He told us to tape them to our refrigerator where we would see them often. Two of those reminders included “sing a little louder” and “fill me Holy Spirit.”how to praise and pray

For seven months my husband and I kept our reminders up. Daily we drew strength from singing praises and praying for the Holy Spirit to fill us up. We praised God for delivering a miracle and we prayed for the eyes to see it. We praised God for providing for our family and prayed for opportunities to share it. We praised God for our spiritual family and prayed for those living without it. Those praises and prayers purified our own hearts.

Praise and prayer are two of the most powerful privileges we possess that no circumstance can take away.

My heart, and my words, changed when I chose to live life from a place of praise despite the question marks looming over my circumstance. My prayers went from “save me, God” to “I trust you, Jesus.”

There is rest in my soul knowing the Lord will not let even the changing of a single dirty diaper go to waste. He is chiseling my character out of the trials of motherhood.

Friend, if you have stumbled into a dark place or are struggling through a difficult season, my hope is that your spirit will be lifted when you think about who Jesus is and how much He has saved you and me from. May you find the strength to lead your days and all the moments in between with praise. I pray you will find the courage to sing a little louder to our Creator, our Savior, our Truth, and Light. God sees you. He knows your situation. And He longs to be gracious to you. May you lean into His love with your prayers and rest in the assurance that He’s got you in the palm of His hands. And may your heart stay ready for the “immediately” or “suddenly” that typically follows close behind.

So where will you start with your praise? Your health? Your home? Our Faithful Father? Our Savior, Jesus?

What are you holding control of that needs to be surrendered in prayer? The choices your children make? The way your spouse expresses love? How a friend, family member, or neighbor responds or doesn’t respond to your request?

Not sure your prayers are making it to heaven? Here’s an article to remind you of the power behind a common man’s prayer: https://trishakeehn.com/the-miracle-in-a-common-mans-prayer/

© 2020 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

First Published on Empowered Women Faith Club

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What the bible says about anxiety

Humility Preserves Peace

Stepping out from a doctor’s appointment, my heart was racing with thoughts of being so unprepared for this part of my story. Soothing words wrestled with my emotions, but it didn’t take away the feeling of losing control.

Flipping my bible open to verses on anxiety, I read 1 Peter 5:6 and my heart sank with the first two words: “Humble yourselves.” Was my anxiety stemming from pride?

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV)

humilityAnxiety and stress can tempt us to lose sight of the sovereignty of God. Fear might overcompensate with pride and persuade us the outcome can be controlled. The problem with these emotions is that they will wear our human hands and hearts out.

A humble heart acknowledges the mighty hand of our Sovereign God and can accept that we’re not in control. Humility helps us let go of the questions and cast our cares with confidence in a loving, powerful God.

When we’re willing to release our grip on life and pray from a place of surrender and humility, we see the Truth that God cares enough for us to work it all out for our good.

The Almighty God who got us here can also take us there. He cares that much for us.

Are you still holding onto control in an area of your life, as if you can handle all that is coming your way? When those anxious feelings come up, think about where your future rests. Will any of your decisions change what God already has in mind?

If you feel like you’re drowning in anxiety, here’s a good place to refocus those thoughts: Father God, I know You are for me and not against me. You hold my past, present, and future in Your hands and will not let me stumble. Help me step down from the throne of control and humbly accept Your love and peace. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

© 2020 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

First Published on Beloved Women

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The unconditional truth about love

No Conditions Attached

An eye for an eye.

It feels like it’s been built into the fabric of our being. When things aren’t equal and balanced, an internal sensor alerts us that we are giving too much and receiving little in return. The trouble with condition-based living is that we serve a no-conditions God.

Our pride or our past might have us stuck believing we have to earn grace and good standing with God. We might feel like we have to justify His mercy with merits and good works.

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”(Hebrews 10:16-17 ESV)

Here is an unconditional Truth we must reconcile within our hearts:

God sacrificed his son, Jesus, on the cross to pardon our sins. He didn’t wait for us to jump through hoops or hold us accountable to conditions before He wiped our slate of transgressions clean.

No conditions attachedOur gracious God gave His Son, and then He gave some more. When we accept this kind of lavish love from a giving God, we don’t have to strain to be perfect or cringe at perceived conditions. When we accept what Jesus has done for us, we are free to allow others to be who they were created to be. No conditions attached.

Often our relationships on earth are a direct reflection of our relationship with God. Let’s examine our hearts for a conditions-based mindset with others. Are there any activities or groups you’re a part of because you feel it’s earning you more salvation points with God?

Father, I admit sometimes I try to earn my salvation and favorable circumstances with my giving and good works. I confess that I even treat others with this same condition-based logic. Realign my mind and heart with Your truth, God. Help me accept that You gave once and for all without conditions so I can be fully who You’ve called me to be. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

© 2020 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

First Published on Beloved Women

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A Calling For All Believers

What have you been called to do with your life?

That can be an intimidating question for any believer. It can also bring us to our knees, often as doors we were so sure of close, and new surprising opportunities swing open.

Overthinking God’s calling in our lives or comparing it to what others are doing, can make this simple question more complicated than it is. Isaiah 61 outlines God’s calling for all of us, no matter what our education level is or what skills we have.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;’” (Isaiah 61:1-2 ESV)

calling for all believersIt says we are all called to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to open prison doors for those who are bound, to proclaim the Lord’s favor, and to comfort all who mourn.

This is our calling today, no matter where God has planted us. Our work, family, community, and church have all been orchestrated by God with the purpose of living out our calling.

How we live this calling out is what makes all of us unique.

Think back on your day. Is there an Isaiah 61 person in need that you missed along your path today? How will you live in your calling tomorrow?

A good place to start in prayer could be: Father God, thank You for giving us Your Word that spells out the mysteries of Your will and Your calling for our lives. Help me to search out those who are brokenhearted, faint in spirit, prisoners to thought patterns, and slaves to their situations. Equip me with Your Word to set them free, Jesus. Open my eyes and give me the strength to slow down to comfort those who are mourning, that You may be glorified. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

© 2020 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

First Published on Beloved Women

 

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Love Leads With Forgiveness

From what I could see, the situation didn’t seem fair. The longer I stewed over the details, the more animosity and frustration grew. Deep down, I knew I needed to forgive, but self-preservation and the fear of being taken advantage of were resisting the right thing to do. “Help me, Jesus,” I cried.

Just the name of Jesus reminds us of all the right things to do.

‘And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.’ (Luke 23:34 ESV)

love forgivesWhen Jesus was hurt or taken advantage of, He led with forgiveness. Even in his death, Jesus put forgiveness first.

The flesh has a tendency to lead relationships with our eyes and emotions, but the love of our Savior leads His relationships with forgiveness. Jesus trusted God for the deeper spiritual work in the offender and the offended. He didn’t need to control or coerce people with explanations. Jesus let his love lead with forgiveness and let God be God.

If we say we believe Jesus’ way of life is the only way to live, but yet we cannot find forgiveness for the relationships that have wronged us, do we really believe His way is the best way?

To love like Jesus, we must begin at the cross of our rights and forgiveness.

Where do you need to stretch to forgive someone who has hurt you? How quickly does it take you to forgive a relationship that has offended you? What would life look like if you led with forgiveness instead of the flesh?

Here’s a place to start in prayer: Father God, when we think about how great Your love is for us, we think about how much You have forgiven us. Jesus, when we think about how deep and wide and vast Your love is for us, we see the cross and Your sacrifice on the cross to cover our sins in forgiveness. Help us, God, to love like You do and lead our relationships with forgiveness because we believe Your way is the only way to love. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

© 2020 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

First Published on Beloved Women

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You Have God For That

Sometimes the responsibilities of each day and to-do lists of tomorrow can consume us. School, work, marriage, kids, etc. They all require time and focus. With endless to-do lists tugging on our time, it’s easy to forget that you and I have a God who wants to be God over it all.

“And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” (Jeremiah 32:38 ESV)

From the beginning of time, scripture records humanity as a forgetful people. Our attention is easily distracted. In God’s infinite grace, He continues to call us His children. He promises to be our God even when we forget.

In the situations that might make us stumble, He wants to be our Sustainer and Defender God. When we feel lonely, worried, anxious, or afraid, He wants to be our Comforter and Companion God. When we feel confused, He wants to be our Shepherd God.

When we stay close to God, all that He is, and all that He has will work for our good.

As we prepare for today, let’s return our minds to this God of grace and love. God will provide us with the perseverance we need for the day. We don’t have to muscle our way through never-ending demands when our Sovereign God has His grip on it all.

What concerns can you release to God knowing He is your God over the situation? Memorize this verse in Jeremiah for the next time fear and stress pull on your thoughts. When worry plagues your mind, remember, you have God for that.

Pray about releasing control: Father God, unite my heart to serve and worship Your name above the noise in my day. Your word, Lord, reminds me that everything You require of me You also work in me. Help me remember that I am not tackling this life alone. I am your beloved child, and you are my Almighty God. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

© 2020 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

First Published on Beloved Women

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God Is Doing A New Thing

A new thing

At this moment when we feel more separated than usual and it begins to feel uncomfortable, I hope we can refocus our attention from the desperate circumstances to a new horizon where God is still on the throne. He’s still fighting for us. He’s still going to do what He promised, which is to work all this together for our good. Nothing on this earth can change who our God is.

‘Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.’ Isaiah 43:19 ESV

A new thing

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Are You Really Surrendering Your Prayers?

trustHim

It’s difficult to maintain inner peace when life is filled with so many unknowns. Will my job still be there tomorrow? Will my kids return home safely today? Will I have the money to pay my bills next week?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6,7 ESV)

trustHimThese two verses can make life sound like a fairy tale. We pray, and peace comes. But how many times have you prayed and the inner turmoil didn’t let up? Maybe it’s because giving up our requests to God requires surrender of the anxieties and outcomes to God. How often do we actually do that?
When we open our hearts and lips to pray, we also have a responsibility to let go of the results.

Jesus is willing to shoulder our worries when we’re willing to trust Him.

Paul urges us in Philippians to go to God with gratitude and let our worries, concerns, and anticipations be made known to God. When we let go of those requests, the next verse tells us the peace of God will stand guard over our hearts and minds.

When we understand the gravity of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness to his children, we can sit gratefully at His feet with our simple prayers and fully surrender to His will. Then we will experience the kind of peace we’ve been longing for, the peace that surpasses all understanding.

What has you anxious or worried today? Have you tried to speak them out loud and visualize laying them at the foot of the cross as they come to mind?

Here’s a place to begin your prayer: Father God, I surrender. I let go of the things keeping me up at night. I lay at Your feet the worries weighing me down during the day. Jesus, I declare my trust is in Your love and faithfulness as soon as the words leave my mouth. I ask for Your peace that surpasses all.

© 2020 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

First Published on Beloved Women.