Category Archives: Prayers

These posts include prayers. Prayer can pivot a problem faster than a phone call. Speak these prayers over your life, and learn how to make them yours.

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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 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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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.

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The Miracle in a Common Man’s Prayer

Moving mountains with an expectant heart

‘Elijah was a man with a nature like ours [with the same physical, mental, and spiritual limitations and shortcomings], and he prayed intensely for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.’ James 5:17 AMP

God loves to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things. You might be tempted to make excuses for the extraordinary events in the Bible, but James points out that Elijah was a common man just like us with the same limitations. When Elijah prayed, God was listening. And when you pray, God is leaning in with anticipation too.

No matter what weakness you think you have, God wants you and I to believe a persistent prayer is enough. Our Almighty God wants to bring heaven down to earth to reveal His incredible power and glory through your faithful, fervent prayers.

Even if our prayers aren’t answered in the way we asked, God reaches down with His grace to comfort and strengthen us through the trouble. Sometimes the mountains He moves are within us. Heaven longs to touch Earth so that His power is made perfect in the very places we are most weak.

When you look in the mirror you might see “average”, but with God, you’re a powerful warrior with a quiver of mighty prayers at your disposal.

Pray on. Heaven is listening.

Your prayers hold the same kind of power as Elijah’s requests to stop the rain.

When ordinary people pray, it’s an extraordinary move in faith. Our belief combined with God’s power can multiply on earth as it is in heaven. That’s the supernatural power of prayer.

expectant prayers move mountainsGod can use ordinary people with expectant prayers to move mountains. 

Are you letting feelings of inadequacy keep you from believing God can work extraordinary things through you? What audacious prayer are you holding back from God because you don’t believe He can use you?

You have access to incredible power through prayer.

Surrender your requests, offer Him your dreams, and wait in expectancy. Faith believes even when things don’t work out the way we had wished, God is always moving exponentially for our good.

Prayer: Father, I commit every area of my life to you. I know that you are not limited because of my shortcomings or setbacks. I am confident that you, God, will make up the difference and supply everything I need to fulfill Your purposes in my life.

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The Power Is In A Prayer

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops. (James 5:13-18)

Just like Elijah prayed a supernatural prayer, you can do the same. When you pray, God hears that. When you’re sick or down, prayer is the powerful and effective elixir. Your prayers produce results. If you don’t pray, you don’t get results. You have not because you ask not.

Pray about everything.

Nothing is too small to bring to God.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

power of prayer, trishakeehn.comWhen we pray, God hears. If you have any need in your life, be encouraged; God is listening.

When you take a step of faith and join hands with a prayer partner, something shifts in the supernatural realm. The bible reminds us that prayer is stronger when there are more people petitioning to God on our behalf (Matthew 18:20). It’s hard to be honest about the struggles, but when you can set aside your fear and pride, there’s a level of power a team of prayers can tap into that a single prayer doesn’t have.

The healing power of God is available. The anointing power of favor from the Holy Spirit is present. Whether you feel it or not, the Lord is here.

Your prayers can bend the Lord’s ear. Your whisper for His help can break the bondage and every chain that has you hostage in Jesus’ name. If you’re looking for a mate, start with a prayer. When you’re in search of purpose, place your hope in a prayer.

You don’t need eloquent speech to come before God or lengthy paragraphs of requests. The only thing He asks is for you to come. Bring the genuine heart He created in you and the authentic words that come out of your mouth. That’s how He wants you to come.

If your struggle has you tongue tied, here’s a place to start…

Heavenly Father, I come before you in this moment and ask for strength in the struggle. I know that when I call on Jesus’ name, every addiction and power that has a hold on me must come down. And so I declare Jesus’ healing power over the things that are luring my mind and heart away from your best, Lord. Any ounce of me that is craving the old life, I denounce right now in the saving blood of Christ. I declare that it has no hold on me that Jesus hasn’t already overcome. And so I call on the strong tower of Christ over this stronghold and walk in His mighty power lifted high above any grip on my mind, on my soul, and on my will. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“Do not dwell upon your inner failings… Just do this: Bring your soul to the Great Physician – exactly as you are, even and especially at your worst moment… For it is in such moments that you will most readily sense His healing presence.” – Teresa of Avila

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Take the Limits Off God

take the limits off God, ask for the courage to expect more, courage of expectation, trishakeehn.comIt’s tempting to ask for the strength to endure the demands in front of you, but the next time you come face to face with a fight, I challenge you to ask for the courage to expect more than enough from the hand of God.

You were promised a land flowing with milk and honey. Be careful that your vision doesn’t twist your expectation.

Your circumstances can cause you to come to the throne praying for a ‘barely get by’ solution when you’re asking an ‘abundant’ God.

It’s tempting to ask God to make a broken vase useful while He holds the power to give you five new ones.

Let’s take the limits off of God and pray for His promises; full restoration of your health, fulfillment in your days, beauty for the ashes, joy in the morning, surrounded by favor, blessings that will chase you down, goodness and mercy following you all of your days, that whatever you touch will prosper and succeed, you’ll be paid back double for the unfair situations, and you’ll be given the desires of your heart.

No more ‘just help me’ pleas. Trust Him. And expect His promises to propel you into your purpose beyond your circumstances.

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Your Guide to God’s Provision

your guide to God's provision, God's provision, Jehovah Jireh, God is our providerMaybe you’re like me when you’re going through a struggle, you know you need to turn to the bible, but a blank stare glazes over when you flip through the pages. Where do you start? You know what you want. You’re pretty sure you know what you need, but where in this giant book of ancient theology do you begin?

Recently I’ve been studying the descriptions of Jesus, from Genesis to Revelation. In my research, I stumbled across a list of Jesus’ names according to His character attributes (there’s a book by Tony Evans that also contains this list as well).

For instance, when Jesus was healing, the word Hebrews used for Him meant “Healer”. When Christ was called upon for victory, they called out to Him as “triumphant one”. His name changed for the circumstance, though He was always Jesus.

This happens in our life. Your mother’s name might be Doris. But at home when her care is needed, she is called upon as ‘Mom’. In the workplace though, they may refer to her as ‘manager’ or ‘director’. Her friends may know her as ‘Doris Day’. Depending on how you know a person, and what you need from them, will determine what you call them.

Back to the Bible now, if you can identify what your need is and then pinpoint in the pages of scripture wherever Jesus is showing up clothed in this character reference, that would be a starting place for your spirit.

The character and purpose attributes of Jesus are God’s provision to you.

When you need love, the Lord shows up as Companion. Father. Friend.

When you’re struggling through loneliness, God shows up in Song of Solomon, in Ruth, and in Amos as Lover, Kinsman, and Husband.

What are you seeking in life or asking God to provide for you? The Lord is always several steps ahead of you. Whatever you’re asking for, He has already prepared it to meet your request.

If you’re not familiar with the stories in scripture, below is a list of where the Lord shows up as the supply to the demand. Allow these parables and adventures remind your weary heart that God will always show up as the One you need. Quiet your anxious thoughts and allow the Holy Spirit direct you with His peace. Pray over these stories as you apply the Living Word to your own life.

In Genesis, He is the Creator God.

In Exodus, He is your Redeemer.

In Leviticus, He is your sanctification.

In Numbers, He is your guide.

In Deuteronomy, he is your teacher.

In Joshua, He is your mighty conqueror.

In Judges, He gives you victory over your enemies.

In Ruth, He is your kinsman, your lover, your Redeemer.

In 1 Samuel, He is the root of Jesse.

In 2 Samuel, He is the son of David.

In 1 & 2 Kings, He is King of kings and Lord of lords.

In 1 & 2 Chronicles, He is your intercessor and high priest.

In Ezra, He is your temple, your house of worship.

In Nehemiah, He is your mighty wall, protecting you from your enemies.

In Esther, He stands in the gap to deliver you from your enemies.

In Job, He is the arbitrator who not only understands your struggles but also has the power to do something about them.

In Psalms, He is your song and your reason to sing.

In Proverbs, He is your wisdom, helping you make sense of life and live it successfully.

In Ecclesiastes, He is your purpose, delivering you from vanity.

In the Song of Solomon, He is your lover, your Rose of Sharon.

In Isaiah, He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

In Jeremiah, He is your balm of Gilead, the soothing salve for your sick soul.

In Lamentations, He is the ever-faithful one on whom you can depend.

In Ezekiel, He is your wheel in the middle of a wheel-the one who assures that dead, dry bones will come alive again.

In Daniel, He is the Ancient of Days, the everlasting God who never runs out of time.

In Hosea, He is your faithful lover, always beckoning you to come back-even when you have abandoned Him.

In Joel, He is your refuge, keeping you safe in times of trouble.

In Amos, He is your husband, the one you can depend on to stay by your side.

In Obadiah, He is Lord of the Kingdom.

In Jonah, He is your salvation, bringing you back in His will.

In Micah, He is judge of the nation.

In Nahum, He is the jealous God.

In Habakkuk, He is the holy one.

In Zephaniah, He is the witness.

In Haggai, He overthrows the enemies.

In Zechariah, He is the Lord of hosts.

In Malachi, He is the messenger of the covenant.

In Matthew, He is King of the Jews.

In Mark, He is the servant.

In Luke, He is the Son of Man, feeling what you feel.

In John, He is the Son of God.

In Acts, He is the Savior of the world.

In Romans, He is the righteousness of God.

In 1 Corinthians, He is the rock that followed Israel.

In 2 Corinthians, He is the triumphant one, giving victory.

In Galatians, He is the liberty, setting you free.

In Ephesians, He is the head of the church.

In Philippians,He is your joy.

In Colossians, He is your completeness.

In 1 Thessalonians, He is your hope.

In 2 Thessalonians, He is your glory.

In 1 Timothy, He is your faith.

In Titus, He is God our Savior.

In Philemon, He is your benefactor.

In Hebrews, He is your perfection.

In James, He is your power behind your faith.

In 1 Peter, He is your example.

In 2 Peter, He is your purity.

In 1 John, He is your life.

In 2 John, He is your pattern.

In 3 John, He is your motivation.

In Jude, He is your foundation.

In Revelation, He is your coming King.

May the Father take you by the hand and guide your thinking as you read from His manuscript He left for you. May the Author’s hand weave threads of His Truth through the fibers of your bones and may Hosanna in the Highest show Himself to you as you dig deeper into His heart.

In Jesus’ name, I lift up ever heartache and troubling mind to you now, Father God, and ask for the leading of your Spirit. You are the Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, and we call out to you by that name, asking you to untie the knotted up struggles that we’ve wrestled with. We trust the Bread of Life; you will never let us go hungry or thirsty when we believe in the Almighty name of Jesus and the loving, providing hand of God. So it’s in the name of the Most High that we pray, Amen.

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Comfortable Keeps You From God

prayer changes things, prayer heals, prayer is an invitation, prayer is powerful, www.trishakeehn.comMark: You prayed and believed your whole life. Never done anything wrong. And here you are. You’re the nicest person I know. I am the meanest. You have dementia. My life is perfect. Explain that to me!

Mina’s Mother: Sometimes the devil allows people to live a life free of trouble because he doesn’t want them turning to God. Their sin is like a jail cell, except it is all nice and comfy and there doesn’t seem to be any reason to leave. The door’s wide open. Till one day, time runs out, and the cell door slams shut, and suddenly it’s too late.

(Movie Quote from “God’s Not Dead”)

More than a quote though, that’s the honest truth. Whatever you’re facing, draw even closer to God. This wasn’t meant for you to brave alone. It’s an invitation to lean on something more powerful than you and watch a story of His glory be told. Sometimes what brings Him the greatest glory won’t be in healing you, but it may come from drawing in just one more witness to the hand of God being leaned on and lifted up.

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What Goes Up Will Come Down

blessings, praises, rain, what goes up, will come downIf He never did another thing, the very Truth that He saved my soul is enough for ceaseless praise.

But then He went further and gave a family who loves me, friends who would die for me, and a job that fills my hands with something to do.

If He never healed the diseases inside… If He never sent a spouse to share life with or a sweet child to care for… If He never answered another prayer, the life He’s already given is enough to fill all of time with praise.

When your praises go up, He sends a rain of blessings pouring down.