Prayer - The Good Shepherd (Psalm 23)

 Lord Jesus, You are my Good Shepherd.  You make me lie down in the green pastures of Your word on which I can stand because Your promises are sure.  Your still waters - the water of your Word - of which I can drink, are refreshing and renewing. They restore my soul, and lead me in paths of righteousness for Your name's sake.

I'm so very thankful for Your presence with me in the valley of the shadow of eeath.  In times of evil You are with me.  And even though it may not feel so good, the fact that when I go astray, Your rod and staff bring me back and I'm comforted that I'm back and walking with You again.

In the midst of my enemies, You have prepared a table for me despite them.  You anoint my head with oil for I am one of  Your sheep and royal priesthood.  You've set me apart for use in Your service,  Jesus my King.

In this I see Your goodness and mercy which follow me, and that all the days of my life.  I have seen this again and again and so I trust You with my future too.

I do so look forward to dwelling in Your house, LORD, forever though.  Thank You, Good Shepherd, for You did not run away but willingly laid down Your life for me and You never leave me alone.

You are worthy of all honor and priase!

Thank You.

Amen.

                                                    ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Psalm 23 and John 10:1-18 ESV.

Sing, The Lord's My Shepherd, along with New Scottish Hymns.

Lord's Day Devotion - Belonging

 If you have been an outcast, or displaced person or are an alien or foreigner and stranger in a country not of your origin, it can be very trying.  It can be disorienting.  It can be unsettling because one can never ever fully settle, or so it seems.

Even after decades spent in a foreign land, you are still seen as a foreigner and access to certain local citizens' rights, privileges and advantages may be denied.  So sigh ... that caused one to realize, "Hey, I'm not home yet!"  Heaven is my home and I'm just a passin' through, as a line of a hymn goes.

Paul reminded the Ephesians by telling them, 

"So you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household  of God" (Ephesians 2:19 ESV).

They entered, and so does each believer in Christ Jesus, the household of God where we belong.

How precious this is!

Belonging ...

Fellow citizen ...

"We ... have access ..."

This is

 "access in one Spirit to the Father" (vs 18).

And it is, 

" ... built on the foundation of ...Christ Jesus Himself ... the chief cornerstone"              (vs 20 ESV/KJV).

Access and whole-hearted acceptance into God's country and kingdom is a healing balm.  What's more, there's growth

 "into a holy temple in the Lord" (vs 21).

In this temple we are being

 "built together."

I repeat, "built together"!  It is all encompassing.  It is all comforting, too.  In these words is, 'belonging'!

We are

 "being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit".

Does this give you a great sense of rest and peace?  It does for me.

Jesus had had no where to lay his head (see Luke 9:58).  We may find some small flickerings of belonging in certain instances here on earth in an 'adopted country' but we look forward more to that city built without hands (see 2 Corinthians 5:1 ESV).  That city with foundations, whose builder and maker is God (see Hebrews 11:10 KJV).

This is where we belong and will no longer be strangers or foreigners.  I long for that day and that place.

There is a secular song that I came across.  It has an Irish lilt to it.  The chorus' lyrics run like this,

"This is my homeland, the place I was born in

No matter where I go, it's in my soul

My feet may wander a thousand places

But my heart will lead me back home to Donegal."

O course, Heaven is our Home and Jesus will lead us back Home to where He sits even now.

Jesus made this possible through His death and resurrection.  He built it.  The foundations are rock solid.

This Lord's Day, let's remember Him in the partaking of the broken bread and drinking of the wine.  He has made us belong.  Let's remember that and all He went through to give us acccess into His Kingdom and as fellow citizens and saints.

Thank You so much, Jesus!

                                                ~  ERC  August 2026  ~

Based on Ephesians 2:18-22 ESV/KJV.

Sing, On Christ the Solid Rock, I Stand, along with Reawaken Hymns, and This World is Not My Home, along with GleamHarmony.

A Psalm's Prayer (Psalm 70)

 

Oh Lord, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  It is also a sword to be wielded in prayer.  It is an "invaluable tool".  Your word never fails.  Your promises never fail - it stands forever.  Therefore, we can claim Your words and use them even as we speak to You.

On behalf of Your church in Iran that is currently suffering a double whammy, I implore You, Father God, deliver Your people!  Make haste to help them!

Let them not be ashamed, nor confused, rather, those who seek their lives, their possessions, their all, because of their faith in Your Son Jesus, may they be the ones to be ashamed, confused and dishonored because they delight in hurting Your people.

In turn, may all who seek You, rejoice and be glad in You!  May those who love Your salvation that came through Your son Jesus Christ exclaim from their inner beings, 

 "God is great!" (ESV)

 and

 "Let God be magnified" (KJV) [vs. 4]!

May Your name be praised because You hastened to help and deliver them.  O LORD, have mercy, do not delay!

Then may this witness of Your love, care, protection and deliverance also be magnified, bringing many more sons and daughters, even from among their tormentors, into Your Kingdom and family.

May Your Kingdom reign and rule!  

In Jesus' name I beseech You.  Amen.

                                               ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Psalm 70, Psalm 119:104; Hebrews 11:12, Ephesians 6:17 and Isaiah 40:8, and PRAYER - The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen.

Sing, Psalm 70 Song - Help Me, along with Jason Silver Music and Come Quickly, O Lord God along with The Psalter's Voice.

Re-Escalation Prayers (War)

 At the re-escalation of the USA-Iran conflict, my heart shuddered in helplessness and concern and even fear for my brothers and sisters-in-Christ in Iran.  There has apparently been an upscaling of persecution against the Christians since the war began.  The conflict has added greater heart to what had already been ongoing oppression and abuse.

Crackdowns on churches.  Seizures of churches.  Threats of arrest of church leaders and so forth escalated.  AI Overveiw, if it is to be believed, which I do believe is true for the most part, blames some of abuse on religious stances and the regime's belief that those who turn from the mainstream religion are apostates.  Underground, rapid church growth is seen as conniving with the enemy.  The war emboldens efforts to stamp Jesus and His people out.

If you do not have a favorite country, where believers are persecuted for their faith in Jesus, to pray for, you might pray for our brothers and sisters-in-Christ in this country.  As Brother Andrew and Al Janssen encourage in their booklet, keep abreast of the news, secularly as well as through Christian channels, when and where available.

Interceed for them until you are even sacrificing your time and energy.  Be devout in these prayers and pray without ceasing for our 'family members' and for those who would come into the kingdom of God.

Heavenly Father, make a way for them.  Put Your covering over them Lord.  Have mercy upon them.  Give them courage to steadfastly hold Your name and continue to be faithful to You.  Give them light in their nightmare of persecution.  I beseech You in Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                                ~  ERC  July 2026 ~

Based on John 15:13 ESV and PRAYER The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen.

Sing, More Than Tongue Can Tell, along with Mike Masubo Jr.

Committed to Persistent Prayer

 Have you ever cried because of suffering or because of some loss?

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has been attributed to having said,

"You see things differently through eyes that have wept."

She'd had her share of suffering and loss despite being a Queen.  She knew the heartache firsthand.  She'd lost a husband and a son.  And also on her and her family's account, someone trying to harm them in a crowd, fatally struck bystanders just a few feet away from them (see AI Overview).

We can read this and feel some kinship at the tragedy.  Our imaginations can help with some of it too.  And when we think of what's going on in Goma where the M23 continues to strike terror into the population, cutting down innocent citizens, slaughtering them and/or beating them near to death; going into private homes in the middle of the night and snatching young men straight out their beds, forcing them to join their ranks.

Or in the Ukraine with the continued conflict with Russia.  And now in Iran being mercilessly bombarded.  Can you imagine all the fallout:  all the injured, maimed, wounded physically, mentally, and emotionally?!

And we cried, "Abba Father, WHY!?"

"Lord, have mercy!!"

And hopefully we cry out on the behalf of the suffering Church in these places.  Give them courage to remain faithful due to these travesties and when the furnace of persecution is turned up seven times hotter because the brothers and sisters-in-Christ get blamed for the wars, pray our brethren, the family of God - will continue to faithfully and with great courage, stand firm and be a light shining in the darkness to lead others to Christ.  No doubt they are crying and weeping.

Remember to weep with them.  Weep and watch and pray.  Pray too for any of the pastors and the missionaries that walk among them.  Uphold them in prayer.

What is your country and people you want to pray for?  Perhaps there's even a people group in your own country that are looked down upon and bullied.  Pray for them.  Pray for those who wish to bring the true gospel of Jesus Christ to them, that they can enter the Kingdom of Heaven that does not ostracize them.

Will you be willing to consistently, persistently persevere in prayer for them, daily?  Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  Weep with those who weep until He comes (Roman 12:15 ESV).

                                                     ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and Romans 12:15 ESV and PRAYER - The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen.

Sing, A Tribute Song To All Persecuted Christians, along with and Pray Without Ceasing Pray - Hymn along with Tabernacle Cardiff.

Book Review - The Reluctant Healer of Halifax - By Terrie Todd - Publication Date: 1 August 2026

 

Having grown up in the Halifax, Nova Scotia region myself, and knowing some of the street names named in the story and having learned a smidgen or two about the Halifax Explosion years ago, this work of historical fiction made the tragic happening of yore all the more real to me.  It must truly have been a horrific and devastating period of time on top of the chaos and heartache of the ongoing WWI of that timeframe.  Not knowing many of the facts of the explosion and its aftermath, as detailed in this tale, made me appreciate this book all the more for adding to my general knowledge. 

As I read, I liked how the author carried the reader through the story as the before, during and aftermath of the explosion unfolds.  The author, at least in my opinion, brings the reader through as if you'd lived through it all yourself.  You really feel like you are at ground zero.

I believe that potential readers must be prepared to read some graphic word pictures; learn of the pyschological effects, the blindness from glass shards, the loss of family members, homes and be prepared for tears that may come, but also feel the joys.  There were wicked people who took advantage of vulnerable people but also the kind and compassionate ones like Pearline, Daisy, Mrs. Hamilton and soldiers like Oliver and Murphy, who in turn all had substantial losses of their own.

Frustrating romance, and a strong faith and trust in God coupled with prayer were laced through the narrative in good, satisfying quantities, making the whole story an extra special read for me.  The blind got very honorable mention, in fact, a school for the blind and the very newly made blind are highlighted and given good dignity and placement in the story.  

I feel that this is a well-written work and it gets a 5 Star rating from me.

                                        ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                         July 2026

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Pray Day and Night

 " ... as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith" (1 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV).

Looks like this is a very determined and sincere manner of praying.  It was Paul's way of supporting the Thessalonian believers even when he wasn't among them in person.  He prayed for them, not so much for material things but that God would supply whatever was lacking in their faith.

To pray 24/7 sounds like a tall order, however.  How would it even be possible (see 1 Thessalonians 5:17)!  Learning from Brother Andrew and Al Janssen in their booklet PRAYER The Real Battle, it's more like being ever digilent and alert to prayer opportunities as they come along.

There can be earnestness and sincerity in such a stance and in each prayer.  They suggest that whenever and whereever and even during whatever you are doing or undergoing, when you hear news reports for example, pray.  Pray for the general populace of course in natural disaster situations, in places of persecution and so forth.

Then ask yourself, "What about the church in those places?"  And "What are they experiencing?  What do they lack?"  Pray that that lack will be supplied.

Pray for the Lord's mercy to be upon them and the situation they are in.  Pray that God's great name will be honored through it all, that His kingdom will be evident.  How will it affect the church?  Pray there will be church left even if it is a small flicker of light in the surrounding darkness. Above all, pray that any lacking faith will be supplied!  

Pray they will endure.  Pray they will have courage to speak for the Lord and honor Him.

Pray that the "fourth man in the fire" shows up for them (see Daniel 3:24-25).  And that they will come forth as gold.

In the news today, I saw there's major flooding in another part of the country I'm in.  Folks struggling to go to and fro work and home.  There is loss of life, and home and possessions.  There is displacement.  Then there's the re-escalating conflict between the USA and Iran and all that fall out.

Stop and pray.

Or we can pray even as we work in the office, at the job site, or sweeping the floors at home.  No doubt it's good to have a specific 'time out' to pray but we can continue our prayers when we get up from our knees.

There's a song we used to sing as children,

"Whisper a prayer in the morning,

Whisper a prayer at noon,

Whisper a prayer in the evening

To keep your heart in tune."

Keeping our heart in tune with our heavenly Father's will and desires and for the good of His family everywhere - especially for those who live under difficult circumstances where it is very dangerous to have faith in Jesus.

Here's a quote by one Karl Barth made by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen,

"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world."

There's is so much havoc and upheaveal in the world, prayer is a weapon and defence against all the disorder especially as it relates to and affects the church, and missionaries as they go about their Kingdom of God work.

Let's partner with them in earnest prayer that any lack needed, will be supplied, especially in their faith.  One day, we may see them face to face and be glad we supported them.  What's more, that the Lord worked wonders on their behalf.

Set aside daily prayer time but also pray without ceasing as the opportunities occur.  Pray earnestly day and night.

Father in Heaven, You are the God of mercy.  Have mercy on Your children in Iran, especially where the country is being bombed out.  It's a terrible thing happening there.  In all the devastation and rubble, Father, bring good out of it for Your people, Your church.  Keep Your light on there and help them and help them help the helpless and those lost in sins and darkness Satan has them bound and yoked under. 

Additionally, those who are suffering from the current flooding, have mercy on them.  May Your people be on hand to help in whatever way needed.  May Your church grow and You be glorified.

I ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

                                                  ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on 1 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV and PRAYER The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen of Open Doors.

Sing, Whisper A Prayer in the Morning, along with Cedarmont Kids.