#day22 {with elaine taylor}

{27 days of prayer}

#day22: isaiah 6:8

So, when we first started our "Send Sam to Africa" campaign/coalition whatever you'd like to call it, it was basically just a group of us who are really, super excited about our friend, Sam Johnson finally having the opportunity to do something she's dreamed of doing for a long time, to go to Africa.

You've gotten to hear a lot from me, but part of my vision for our little coalition on facebook and the {27 days of prayer} series we started last week was to provide a place where various people from Sam's life could share verses, stories, prayer requests, support-raising updates.

But, one of the things I've been looking forward to the most is something we are kicking off this week: having some of Sam's friends, roommates, family share some of what makes them most excited about Sam having the opportunity to serve with Africa Inland Mission this summer. And it is with great honor that I introduce our first guest writer, Miss Elaine Taylor!

::

Sam is one of my roommates and best friends. I've been on this college/faith/renewal journey with her for the past six semesters we've been here in COMO.

In that time I've seen God do huge work in her heart, igniting her passion for Him and for His people. I've seen her dig into the Word, become very intentional in her prayer life, and be encouraged by her community and by dozens of Gospel-centered books.

I first heard Sam voice her desire to share the love of God in Africa our freshman year and it is so encouraging for me to see her still so intent on this God-given pursuit.

 
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
“Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
- Isaiah 6:8

{Elaine Taylor}
{Photo by Casey Batezel}

i am abba's child

this is how i feel right now. safe. held. fought for. protected. loved. secure in his hands, simply who i truly am, abba's child. don't have words to describe the victories and miracles that have taken place the last few weeks and years made that much more clear tonight. in awe of who he is and of his glory.

i am abba's child.

#day23 :: abide

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
 
{27 days of prayer}
special edition :: women's retreat

We are currently in the midst of the women's retreat at The Rock, the church Sam Johnson, her friends and I attend. I just got dropped off here at home a bit ago to sleep, since with my medical issues sleeping at home will be better for me, and I have written and processed so much and experienced His presence in powerful and personal ways I cannot even begin to explain. I have to write something. Something or I will literally burst at the seams. 

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

Our retreat is called "abide" and it is based off of the verse above, John 15:4, and as I've been looking at the invitation the last couple weeks and just camping on that word "abide." It has evoked many images for me, but none as powerful as the one tonight that intersected with several places the Lord and I have been over the course of the last few years.

Tonight, there was a moment when I flipped back to the end of the retreat booklet and saw the theme verse and my eyes could just imagine that of a tiny child swaddled and completely wrapped up in that of a blanket, an image that I cannot get out of my head or stop thinking about when I hear and think about that word, abide.

Today's verse, which I wasn't even planning on having us do one till after the retreat, but though I've had a busy day and literally haven't stopped moving since I left the house at 7:30 this morning, I could not not write.

This verse is like water to my soul right. Springs of living water and an intimate invitation from the One who sees and knows our hearts. An invitation to simply come, live in me. We will do this together. You're not in this alone. Abide, live in me. And I in you. I am here and I am with you. Will you dare to simply trust in me, trust and dare to believe and rest, like this of a tiny child, surrounded, enveloped, and safe in my loving arms. Abide in me. I don't think I have ever heard sweeter words.

Praising and celebrating our amazing Heavenly Father tonight, the One who is truly able and DOES do immeasurably more than we could ever ask for or imagine, our God who hears, our God who sees, our God who fights for us, our God who longs to provide.

Praying this verse over us today, that this would be real in our lives and in our hearts and praying this over Sam today as she continues to look to Him and trust Him with her every need, not just something she started doing when she began support-raising, but a faith that has been burning in her long before that and we commit our dear sister to the Lord and His incredible plans for her life. That by His mercy and grace, she would fall even more deeply in love with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and continue to live a life of abiding in Him.

In the precious name of Jesus,
Amen.

#day24

{27 days of prayer}

#day24: ephesians 3:20

"Now to him who is able..."

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurable more than we could ever ask or imagine..."

I LOVE this verse. Especially those words, "to him who is able" and "immeasurably more."

It reminds me to keep my eyes and my focus on HIM rather than my current needs, what is going on around me, or my circumstances.

It reminds me to fix my attention, my eyes, and my hope on the only One who can. The One who is far more than able and is able to truly do immeasurably more than I could ever ask for or dare to imagine.

Today is #day24 of our {27 days of prayer} we introduced on Tuesday. There are 24 days until April 1st, the support-raising deadline for Sam's trip and we are trusting and believing our God will continue to abundantly provide! As of today, the total amount still needed is $1,328.

Her total support-raising goal is $4,658 in order to serve with Africa Inland Mission this summer. We believe in the power of our Jesus and we believe in the power of prayer!! Please join us in bringing this need to the Lord that He will continue to move hearts as He continues to faithfully build Sam’s support team!

$3,330 has been raised so far, PRAISE THE LORD!!! Let’s pray Ephesians 3:20 today over Sam and her remaining support need. Our God is more than able!! Have a blessed day, friends!

#day25

{27 days of prayer}

#day25: exodus 15:13

"In your unfailing love,
you will lead the people you have redeemed;
in your strength, you will guide them." 

Such a beautiful truth that His love will be faithful to lead us and that we can rely on His love and His strength to see us through. LOVE.

Please pray these two verses over Sam today as you keep her in your thoughts and prayers, as well as all the logistics, funds, parts, and pieces needed for her trip, and those currently serving with Africa Inland Mission sharing the love of Christ with Africa's unreached!

#day26

{27 days of prayer}

#day26: isaiah 26:3

"You, oh Lord, keep in perfect peace those who keep their purpose firm and place their trust in you."

- photo by lynsey tedesco photography

#day27

{27 days of prayer}

#day27: john 11:40

"Did i not tell you that if you only believed, you would see the glory of god?" 

this is one of my favorite verses. i remember when it first pierced my heart, it was the beginning of a summer leadership program our church attends in the summer and i remember standing at the edge of that summer, not having any idea all that it would hold, but i wanted to trust, to believe and i prayed, lord, i want to see your glory.

this verse has been that of an anthem for me in the start of several other journeys and new adventures since then. one i am reminded of when i am standing on the brink of something i am not able to fully see yet, yet find my heart is being asked to simply dare to believe.

join us in praying this verse over sam, her support-raising process, africa inland mission, teams currently in the area sam is going, and those she will have the opportunity of serving when she arrives. 

yes, lord, we believe. we trust and we believe that we will see your glory.

we commit sam and her journey to you. we thank you for the woman you have created her to be. we thank you for the heart you have given her, a heart that aches for your hurting and broken children, a heart that aches for those who have never heard the name of jesus, a heart that is restless, restless until others find their rest in you.

yes, lord, show us your glory.
we wait in hope, not in vain, for we know that you are faithful.

in the precious name of jesus, amen.

{27 days of prayer}

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray..."

{2 chronicles 7:14}

::

I couldn't get these words out of my mind as I laid in bed wide awake on Friday, March 1st. With the turning of a new month, my mind and my heart could not get away from knowing it was just a month away from Sam Johnson's support-raising deadline for her upcoming mission trip to Africa this summer.

Our God has and will be faithful. He has provided, He has guided her every step of the way along this journey, and we know He will continue to do so.

For the next 27 days, just a few days shy of a month, we're wanting to commit to praying for Sam and her trip and her support-raising process in a whole new way. Each day, for the next 27 days, until April 1st, we'll share a story or a verse that will allow friends and family here and far away to pray specifically for Sam that day, as we all continue to lift and hold our dear sister in prayer.

"God's grace precedes His call," one of my favorite authors, Brennan Manning has said, and those are words we believe to be true of our Lord and true of the call He has placed over her life and specifically her upcoming opportunity to serve with Africa Inland Mission in Africa this summer.

"If my people... will humble themselves... and pray..." Will you join us in prayer for Sam Johnson today and for the next 27 days? For our faithful and loving God to continue to meet her every need, prepare her heart for this trip, and provide every single dollar needed for her to go?

Thank you for being a vital part of Sam's life and this journey with us. Let us join in prayer these next 27 days, that our God will continue to do what only He can do.

Have a blessed day, friends!

:: photo courtesy of eric papp

--now remain in my love--

 {john 15:9}

{ secure }

in you, i am secure.

.: in the silence of the heart ...

... god speaks.