scripture

May 10, 2023 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

10 Surprising Habits for a Heart Happy Life

A Guide to Boosting Happiness and Nurturing Your Soul

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and lose sight of what truly matters. We can get caught up in the demands of work, family, and daily responsibilities. We forget to take time for ourselves, our hearts, and our spiritual well-being.

Cultivating a happy heart and nurturing our souls are essential for a fulfilling life. In my book Heart Happy, I share 10 surprising habits to help us do that. Incorporating these habits into our daily routines can boost our happiness and strengthen our faith while enjoying a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

You might be surprised to learn that some of the most effective strategies are simple and easy to implement!

10 Habits for a Heart Happy Life

1. Practice Gratitude: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Taking time each day to reflect on what you’re grateful for can help shift your mindset and cultivate a more positive outlook.

2. Connect with Nature: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” – Psalm 19:1. Spending time outdoors, whether it’s going for a walk in the park or hiking in the woods, can help reduce stress and boost your mood.

3. Practice Mindfulness: “Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or yoga, can help you stay focused, even amid a busy day.

4. Nurture Your Relationships: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” – Romans 12:10. Cultivating solid and supportive relationships with friends and family can help you feel more connected and fulfilled.

5. Engage in Creative Pursuits: “In the beginning, God created…” – Genesis 1:1. Pursuing creative activities, such as painting or writing, can help you tap into your inner creativity and boost your self-expression.

6. Prioritize Self-Care: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19. Taking time to care for yourself through exercise, getting enough sleep, or indulging in a relaxing bath can help you feel more centered and grounded.

7. Learn Something New: “Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” – Proverbs 16:20. Learning a new skill or taking up a new hobby can help you feel more accomplished and fulfilled.

8. Practice Forgiveness: “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” – Mark 11:25. Letting go of grudges and resentments can help free you from negative emotions and promote a greater sense of inner peace.

9. Give Back to Others: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:10. Volunteering or performing acts of kindness can help you feel more connected to your community and promote a greater sense of purpose.

10. Embrace God: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6. Whether through prayer, meditation, or other spiritual practices, nurturing your spiritual life can help you feel more grounded and connected to God.

By incorporating these habits into your daily routine, you can boost your happiness and nurture your soul, all while strengthening your faith. While they may seem simple, these practices have been shown to profoundly impact our well-being. So why not give them a try and see how they can transform your life?

Don’t miss my book, Heart Happy, available here!

Additional Resources:

Introducing Heart Happy by Tricia Goyer, the perfect guide to finding joy and peace amidst the chaos of life. As a busy mom of ten, author, speaker, and caregiver, Tricia knows firsthand the importance of soul care and finding happiness from within. In Heart Happy, she shares her journey to cultivating a happy heart rooted in God’s love and provides practical tips and encouragement for readers to do the same. Whether you’re overwhelmed or need inspiration, Heart Happy will help you find the peace and joy you deserve. Don’t miss out on this life-changing book. Get your copy of Heart Happy today!

May 8, 2023 by Tricia Goyer 8 Comments

How to Trust God

She didn’t expect life to turn out like this. For the last few years she’d grown in her trust in and relationship with God. She’d been a strong support for her family. She’d thought she’d done everything right . . . but had God even noticed? Standing at her brother’s funeral she didn’t think so. Surely God could have stopped this tragedy. Didn’t Jesus care?

The “she” I’m talking about is Martha in the Bible. She’d seen Jesus heal, yet when her family needed his touch, Jesus was a no-show. Most of us know the biblical story about how Jesus finally showed up a few days later and called Lazarus from the grave. It was a healing they hadn’t expected, and I can guess that Martha went to sleep that night with a new sense of trust. Maybe Jesus knew what He was doing. Maybe she could truly trust Him after all.

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this, Martha?” John 1:25-26

Jesus has asked me the same things many times—not with an audible voice, but in my spirit.

Do you believe? Do you trust me?

Do you trust I gave your child a strong will for a reason?

Do you trust this cross-country move is best for your family?

Do you trust I can do the work through you when you can’t imagine doing it yourself?

Do you trust this personal struggle of yours will be for your benefit—to cause you to turn to me, to need me, to surrender to me?

Do you trust?

In our lives, trust comes when we can’t see how God is going to bring any good out of the mess we’re in . . . and He does. Trust comes when our heart is breaking and Jesus shows up.

“Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Song of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” John 11:27

Martha believed in her mind. But after she embraced her warm, fleshly, laughing brother, trust moved to her heart.

In my life there was a moment when I was seventeen and pregnant, when Jesus showed up in my depressed state and gave me a glimmer of hope. Deep inside I knew that He would be there for me.

Many, many times over the years He’s shown up again in dark moments. As I watch Him transform rejection, pain, hopelessness, and worry into avenues to extend His love and grace to me and to others, my trust grows.

Learning to trust reminds me of the broken, hurting children we’ve invited into our home over the years. John and I are a constant presence guiding them, loving them, embracing them, discipling them, and sharing our lives with them – but trust didn’t happen in one day, one week, or even six months.

Trust has grown when our children discover layers of love, grace, and help in everyday challenges. When they mess up, feel stuck, or find themselves overwhelmed, they’ve discovered we’re still there. And we’ll continue to show them how to do life in a loving, healthy way.

The only way to learn to trust God is to face each dark situation knowing that Jesus WILL show up. It may not be when we expect, or how we expect, but we can expect Him.

And when Jesus shows up, He’s going to behave in a way that’s different that we believe He will. He’s not going to give us what we think we need, but what we really need. Mostly, He’s going to give us Himself.

“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party. I’ll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16 (The Message)

How have you learned to trust God in your life?

Additional Resources:

Want to learn more about soul care and having a Happy Heart? Heart Happy: Staying Centered in God’s Love through Chaotic Circumstances will inspire you to stay tethered to the Lover of your soul. By taking time to make your heart happy in the Lord, you’ll grow closer to the Heavenly Father, fostering true transformation from the inside out. Peace and joy can be yours—no matter what life dishes up.

Building up Your Faith When Your World is Falling Apart — Tricia chats with author Michele Cushatt about making sure your faith is strong when times are hard.

May 1, 2023 by Tricia Goyer 12 Comments

6 Ways to Find Joy in Your Day {Printable!}

6 Ways to Find Joy in Your Day {Printable!}

As a homeschooling mom, I’ve had kids at home for 32 years. This means noisy days, busy days, and these kids-are-giving-me-a-headache days.

I’ve been homeschooling for 28 years and still have another seven years to go! Does that seem overwhelming? It would have been if I hadn’t discovered something amazing: JOY!

Over the last year, God has spoken to my heart and encouraged me to find joy in everyday living.

Joy, even though the laundry is piled high.

Joy, even though the kids are cranky.

Joy when work deadlines are pressed.

Joy when I have a headache when my feet hurt, and when I just want a nap. (Which happens often!)

But how do you find joy in your day?

Here are 6 ways … and a Scripture verse for each!

1. Thank God for each new morning.

A thankful heart goes a long way. Daily when I wake God, instead of looking at everything I have to do, I thank him for who I am and what I have.

Thank you, God, that I’m your daughter, and I have a place in your eternal home.

Thank you, God, that I’m a wife and mother.

Thank you, God, for the pile of laundry and all the clothes you’ve provided for us.

Thank you, God, for the dishes still in the sink from last night. We went to bed with full bellies.

2. Turn on worship music.

I love listening to worship music as I read my Bible and journal in the morning. I put on popular Christian songs as we homeschool. I also listen to Christian music as I write. I love using apps like Spotify or Amazon Prime Music to help me find great music. I also sing along! Singing songs of joy helps sorrows (and frustrations) to disappear!

3. Ask God to remind me what His kingdom is all about.

In life, I want to be comfortable. I want my house to be Pinterest-worthy. I want my kids to shine. But when I think about God’s kingdom, He helps me understand Kingdom Work. Opening my door to neighbors. Sharing God’s truth with young moms. Calling a friend who’s going through a hard time. Playing a board game with my kids instead of putting away the laundry. The Kingdom is about people and hearts–not tasks!

4. Seek the Holy Spirit.

When did I ever start thinking that I have to handle life alone? God has given us His Holy Spirit to fill, work through, and give us peace. Stopping to pray and ask for God’s Holy Spirit to help me makes a huge difference. The Holy Spirit gives me joy when I have none.

The Holy Spirit gives me joy when I have none. @TriciaGoyer

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5. Join the kids in praising God.

The best thing about having three little kids is that they LOVE to praise God. We have “Jesus dance parties” often. We put on kids praise song, clap our hands and dance and sing. They love it, and seeing their joy makes me more joyful.

6. Thank God for troubles.

The honest truth is that without troubles, I wouldn’t need God. If everything went smoothly in life I wouldn’t pray or praise as often. When I thank God for troubles, I remind myself that He has everything in control. As the Scriptures say, troubles are an opportunity for joy!

I hope you print and use these Scriptures in your day. I’ve found them very helpful.

Download here.

How about you? What do you do to find joy in your day? What’s your favorite Scripture about joy?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, today I pray for my friend. I pray that she may find joy in you. I pray that Your Word will draw her heart to you. I thank you for your Holy Spirit that can plant joy deep in our hearts, even when there are struggles all around.

More Resources

14 Ways to Create a Joyful Family
How to Joyfully Share a Life
3 Ways to Lose Guilt and Find Joy
Heart Happy by Tricia Goyer
When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for Joy by John Piper
A Faith That Will Not Fail by Dan Lord

April 24, 2023 by Tricia Goyer 2 Comments

8 Scripture Verses to Bring Rest to Your Spirit

Today Tricia shares 8 Scripture verses to bring rest to your spirit, plus enjoy the free printable.

Over the last few years, John and I have adopted seven kids. Seven times the amount of laundry. Seven more kids who need attention. Seven times the mess. (But sometimes the mess seems like 70×7!)

In my life, there is little time for rest. “Rest” to me means a Sunday afternoon rest, a cup of coffee and my Bible in the morning, or listening to soothing music as I make dinner.

Yet even in the midst of my busy life, there is always one place where I can find true rest—spirit rest—and that’s within the pages of my Bible. Rest is not only stillness of body, but it’s also stillness of spirit.

Moving seven new kids into our house means lots of challenges. Most of these kids come from foster care, and this means they come packed with a few suitcases and lots of trauma, heartache, and pain. Even more overwhelming than the busyness and mess are my anxious thoughts and worries about these kids who make me weary to the bone. It’s then that I turn to God’s Word and find joy, peace, and rest. There is nothing better to bring rest to my spirit.

Here are Scripture verses that I turn to bring rest to my spirit:

1. Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

2. Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (NIV)

3. Matthew 6:34

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)

4. Psalm 4:8

In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.

5. 1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

6. Exodus 14:14

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.

7. Psalm 13:6

I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me.

8. Psalm 116:7

Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.

Do you need to bring rest for your spirit?

Read the Scriptures.

Turn to God’s Word.

Soak in His truth.

Lift your mind and heart to Him.

Takeaways:

Find peace for your soul by reading the Scriptures.
Discover rest for your spirit in the pages of God’s Word.
Let God’s truth rejuvenate your soul and bring you rest.
Experience renewal by soaking in the life-giving words of the Bible.
Lift your heart and mind to God through the power of His Word.

Enjoy this free printable PDF:

When you find rest inside you, it will impact your attitude toward everything around you. Even if the kids are screaming, the house is a mess, and the day is long, the rest of your soul will help you carry on.

What about you? What Scripture do you turn to when your soul needs rest?

Along with being in scripture, praying through the Bible is another way to grow closer in your relationship with the Lord.

Have you ever wanted to read through the Bible but found yourself giving up? Or even worse, you read the chapters and, in the end, question how they apply to your life. Tricia Goyer understands. For years she felt frustrated that she couldn’t stick to her commitment to reading God’s Word all the way through. Things changed when she found a doable plan and wrote a daily prayer. Tricia’s heart changed. Her life did, too. God can bring real transformation into your heart and life when you daily commit to reading your Bible and praying through God’s Word. Praying through the Bible in One Year offers a guided reading plan and a daily prayer starter to help you apply God’s Word to your life. Discover the inspiration for real-life transformation.

Go to the Book

Bonus:

If you’re a busy parent like Tricia, you know that life can get overwhelming at times. With ten kids, she’s no stranger to the challenges that come with parenting. But despite the chaos, Tricia has found a way to find true rest – and she wants to share her secrets with you!

In Heart Happy, Tricia shares her journey of finding rest amid a busy life. She shows you how to turn to God’s Word to find peace, joy, and comfort in the midst of your struggles. Whether you’re dealing with the challenges of parenthood, work, or just everyday life, Heart Happy will help you find the rest you need to keep going.

So why wait? Order your copy of Heart Happy today and start finding true rest in the midst of your busy life!

Go to the Book

October 2, 2019 by Pamela Black Leave a Comment

How To Wait Patiently

Today I want to talk about waiting. We don’t like to wait, but the Lord often puts us in places of waiting on him. Let’s learn how to wait patiently.

How To Wait Patiently

Are you currently waiting on the Lord? Maybe you’re waiting for a job, a spouse or a wayward child to return home. Maybe you’re waiting for wisdom for the next steps or how to handle a hard situation. Waiting is hard because there is so little we have to wait on these days. We can microwave a meal in three minutes. We can journey across the globe in one day. If we want an answer to any question, Google has it in three seconds. Not to mention, we can send a text in one second without waiting for the mail to arrive.

In our fast-paced, instant-access society, when we suddenly don’t have what we want most, and we have to wait, we feel helpless, weak and powerless because we don’t know how to wait patiently.

Sometimes we even question God like David did in Psalm 13:1, “How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?”

We wonder if God hears. We question if God cares. That’s called doubt.

Have you ever doubted God? I have. Years ago I felt God’s call to adoption. I waited and prayed for seven years (without nagging!) for God to put the same call on John’s heart too. Then I waited for two years as we did paperwork. And I waited another year after the paperwork was finished for a child. But the call never came. Instead, I was confronted with doors closing on the international path we’d chosen.

After ten years of waiting my heart was broken. Why God? Why?

In my brokenness, I turned to God. Even in tears, I told Him that I trusted Him. Verses like these resonate in my heart:

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

And in my waiting and seeking, I realized I wasn’t alone.

The Bible is filled with those who wait.

One of my favorite waiting stories is about a man who waited his whole life for a glimpse of the promised Messiah.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Luke 2:25-26

As he took the child, Jesus, in his arms Simeon proclaimed it was worth the wait.

“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” Luke 2:29-32

In Simeon’s waiting, He saw the Lord. And in our waiting, we also discover Him too. Every minute that Simeon waited made the joy of receiving even more precious.

Why does God ask us to wait? Waiting prepares your heart. Even when your mind feels ready for a task, your heart might not be there yet. Waiting allows God time to fill the gap between your head and your heart.

What to do while you wait:

1. Be thankful for who God is and what He’s done.

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love (Psalm 103:8). Thank Him, knowing the waiting comes from His compassion, grace and love. Treasure Him for all He is. Know that if you never receive what you’re waiting for God is enough.

2. Walk in obedience in what God has already called you to.

Living a righteous life happens one day at a time. Instead of trying to hurry God up, walk faithfully where He has you now.

3. Be honest in your struggle.

As I waited for adoption doors to open I shared my struggle. I asked friends to pray for my family. I shared how I didn’t understand why we were having to wait for doors to open to adopt a child when it’s clearly God’s mandate in Scripture. The amazing thing is that a praying friend was the connection with our daughter’s birth mom. In my willingness to share my struggle (not with complaining but with humility) God opened the doors.

4. Seek God for strength.

Waiting is never easy, but when we are at the end of ourselves it’s then we turn to—and depend on—God’s strength. “Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary,” Isaiah 40:31 NASV

5. Realize that the waiting is part of God’s ultimate YES!

Romans 11:34-36 says, “Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes.” (MSG). Even though the waiting was hard the final yes was much more beautiful than I ever imagined.

For me, Jesus’ ultimate YES wasn’t one child adopted but SEVEN. Yes, seven. When God opened the doors He opened a floodgate, and we adopted seven children in five years.

Looking back I’m so thankful for the time of waiting. I’m thankful that I allowed God to prepare my heart and my life. God’s YES was bigger than I ever hoped or dreamed.

Here’s a prayer for you:

Oh Lord, I know You’re a good God, but the truth is that I’m tried of waiting. I know You have the perfect answer. I trust You have the perfect solution, but waiting for the moment you decreed is tough.

Please be with me as I wait. Let me see You as I never have before. Help me to trust You and see You in new ways. Prepare my heart, Lord, as I wait, and finally thank You for Your ultimate yes.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Friend, today I’m also praying for you. I’m praying that God’s current NO will allow time, space and preparation for His ultimate YES. To God be the glory!

Waiting is difficult.

And difficult times are often when we grumble. I know I did. But as I grasped the beauty of God’s plan I became more aware of how the waiting can conform us to His likeness. When we grumble and complain we miss the opportunity to behold His majesty in our circumstances.

Last year my family and I embarked on a journey to living out a grumble free year and to grab ahold of the life of joy that God has promised us. And you know what? We did it! It wasn’t always easy and we weren’t always grateful. But we learned to find our peace beyond our circumstances and to thank God for that. That mindset has made all the difference in the state of our hearts.

These days we are living different lives.

Oh, we still face trials and disappointments, as everyone does from time to time. But we’ve learned to focus on the good and the Giver of good gifts–the best of which is Himself.

You might also like Don’t Despise the Wait.

June 25, 2019 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

How to Transform your Life in 5 Minutes a Day

It may sound impossible, but I can tell you how to transform your life in 5 minutes a day. I know because it worked for me.

What has completely changed my life? God’s Word! All I am and all I’ve done are a result of spending time reading God’s truth.

It’s easy, simple and it works. To help you I’ve put together my top three tips for Meditating in God’s Word:

Start Small

If you are just starting out and you are not used to reading God’s Word, you can set your timer for at 5 mins a day. Pray beforehand and ask God for understanding and wisdom for His Word. Pray afterward that God will help you to retain His Word in your heart and correctly apply it and learn from it throughout your day. Create time for His Word, either in the morning or in the evening, just make sure that you are consistently reading God’s Word every day.

Go Slowly

The worst thing you can do is speed read through the Word of God. You want to meditate, capture and ponder on the thoughts and Words of our Almighty Creator. After a verse or two, stop and ask yourself: “What did I read? Did I understand what I read?” I suggest getting a notepad to write down some questions you would like God to answer.

Stay Committed.

The fact is that we are all super busy most of the time. We are drained from many areas of our life, but the commitment we make when we spend time in the Word of God is a life changer. The Word of God is a life sustainer. When you are feeling discouraged or frustrated, write it out or talk it out with God. We need Him! When we stopping eating God’s Word, that meal gets replaced with something else that is not beneficial to our Christian growth. Nothing can replace the Word of God!

Reading the Bible is one of the things God wants each of us to do. It’s not enough to hear the Word from others–we must read it for ourselves. That’s how to transform your life.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work,” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

When we read the Bible, we learn more about God and His ways. We learn how to live life more effectively. When you sit down to read the Bible pray, “Lord, help me to understand.” Also, ask someone who has been reading the Bible for a while to help you to understand better.

The more you read, the more you will understand God’s will and see His leading in your life. As you grow to understand His will better, you will thirst for His word even more!

Of course, the best part of knowing God’s Word is the transformation that will happen in you. As Isaiah 55:11 (NLT) says, “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

Isn’t that amazing that God will accomplish all He wants to do in you as you dig into His Word?!

Praying Through the Bible in One Year

Have you ever wanted to read through the Bible but found yourself giving up? Or even worse, you read the chapters and at the end question how they apply to your life. I understand. For years I felt frustrated that I couldn’t stick to my commitment to read God’s Word all the way through. Things changed when I found a doable plan and wrote out a daily prayer. My heart changed. My life did, too.

God can bring real transformation into your heart and life when you daily commit to reading your Bible and praying through God’s Word. Praying through the Bible in One Year offers a guided reading plan and a daily prayer starter to help you make God’s Word applicable to your life. Discover the inspiration for real-life transformation.

Purchase a copy of Praying Through the Bible in One Year HERE.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

June 22, 2019 by Tricia Goyer 5 Comments

7 Prayers to Say for Your Children

These 7 prayers to say for your children can help be a springboard for your prayer life. Do you need new words to guide your heart as you seek God for your family? Let these prayers guide you.

7 Prayers to Say for Your Children

I often pray for my children…

That they are healthy.

That they are safe.

Oh, that they are obedient.

The other day I was reading the Bible, and I came upon Philippians 1:9-11:

I pray that your love will overflow more and more,
and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.
For I want you to understand what really matters,
so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.
May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—
the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—
for this will bring much glory and praise to God. (NLT)

As I read it I thought: This is a perfect Scripture to pray for my kids. And they are perfect prayers to say for your children.

I’ve broken this prayer into seven days, and I found other Scriptures to pray too. Won’t you join me?

Sunday: Pray for love that overflows

Lord, may the love of _______ increase and overflow for those in our family and for everyone else. (1 Thessalonians 3:12)

Monday: Pray for growth in knowledge

Lord, may _______ grow to love your Word. May the heart of _______ trust your commands. May _______ seek good judgment. Fill _______ with the knowledge of your will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. (Psalm 119:66, Colossians 1:9)

Tuesday: Pray for understanding of what really matters

Lord, may _______ know your will and understand what is right because of your law. May _______ not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be transformed into a new person through changed thoughts and through knowing your perfect and pleasing will. (Romans 2:18, Romans 12:2)

Wednesday: Pray for a pure and blameless life

Lord, may _______ keep firm in faith, staying pure and blameless, until the end. May the good work you started in _______ carry on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. May _______ hold firmly to the word of life, so life’s labor will not be in vain. (1 Corinthians 1:8, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 2:6)

Thursday: Pray for the fruit of salvation

Lord, may _______ be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. May _______ delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. And because of your word planted deep, may whatever _______ do prosper. (Psalm 1:2-3)

Friday: Pray for righteous character and for a life in Jesus

Lord, may _____ be a peacemaker who sows in peace and reaps a harvest of righteousness. Lord, may your name be honored because of the life of _______. I know this is only possible because of your grace. May love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control flow out of the life of _______ because of your spirit within. (James 3:18 2 Thessalonians 1:12, Galatians 5:22-23)

Saturday: Pray for glory and praise to God

Lord, may _______ produce much fruit so that you may be glorified. May the life of _______ be for your praise and glory, because of hope put in you. (John 15:8, Ephesians 1:14)

7 Prayers to Say for Your Children

As parents, it’s important to pray for our kids, and I’m so thankful that God has given us His Word as a foundation to do just that! He has given you prayers to say for your children!

TriciaGoyer breaks down Philippians 1 into 7 prayers to say for your kids!

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prayingforyourchildren-618×800

Enjoy this free printable 7 Prayers to Say for Your Children:

I hope these prayers to say for your children are as helpful to you as they have been for me! Do you have any that you would like to add? Let me know!

~Tricia

More Resources from Tricia Goyer:

Prayers the Changed History (pre-order today!)

Praying for Your Future Husband (for teens girls)

Whit’s End Mealtime Devotions (for families)

Balanced (for busy moms)

June 1, 2019 by Tricia Goyer 2 Comments

Helping Kids Cultivate God’s Goodness in their Lives

What lessons did you learn in the garden as a child?

Personally, I remember the wonder of seeing new sprouts poke through the dirt and green strawberries brighten to red under the summer sun. Gardening taught me about God’s good creation, and as I became a mom I understood that I could cultivate patience in my children’s souls, too.

Even as I snuggled with my toddlers, my mind flashed ahead and I envisioned them as teens and adults. I knew that planting seeds of God’s truth, and tending them well, would bring a harvest of goodness in my children’s lives. And over the years I found ways to do just that.

Create the right environment. Before seeds can be planted, the right environment needs to be created. In a physical garden this means removing weeds and rocks. It also means breaking up the soil and adding nutrients into the earth. In our home, my husband and I look seriously at things that can choke out God’s truth. For example, we choose our media carefully. We look at our mistakes and seek forgiveness. We dedicate time to read and study God’s Word. We make our home a place where God is welcomed and serving Him with all our hearts is the focus. Just as gardeners help seeds grow, we water our lives with God’s Word and truth.
Plant good seeds. Good plants come from good seeds, and we know the best seeds we plant in our children’s hearts is God’s Word. We work with children on Scripture memory. We teach them the whole Bible Story through Bible reading and devotional time, not leaving it up to Sunday School teachers once a week.
Stand strong in the storms. We teach our kids about God’s goodness even during the storms in our lives. We’ve faced sickness and death of grandparents. We’ve faced cross-country moves and financial challenges. Yet instead of modeling worry, we instead model turning to God in prayer. And because of that our children witness love and peace flowing, even out of hard places.

As Isaiah 58:11 says,

The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring…

Read the rest of Helping Kids Cultivate God’s Goodness in their Lives at Faithgateway!

Practicing a life long fellowship with the Lord through prayer is something I hope to foster in my children and grandchildren that’s why I created the Mommy & Me Prayer Journal series!

These keepsake journals are for little kids to write their prayers … or draw them! There is also a place for Mom, Dads, or someone special to add their prayers, too. What a great way to cultivate a growing prayer life in your child!

It’s available HERE on Amazon.

This is a picture of the inside pages:

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May 14, 2019 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Praying God’s Word For Yourself and Your Child

Praying God’s Word

Through the years I’ve seen how important it is to pray God’s word over and for my children. I’ve also watched how God moved in my kid’s hearts and lives when I shared the scriptures with them. That’s why I’ve made it a priority to read through the Bible each year and journal what God speaks to my heart through His word.

“I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety.” Psalm 4:8

Lord, I am so thankful that you always watch over my child, even when she lies down in sleep. May my child always sleep peacefully with knowledge of your care.

Is it your goal to read through the Bible in 2019? More than that, do you want to apply God’s will to your life and the life of your child? I’ve created some resources for that!

Daily Bread

First, my book Praying Through The Bible in One Year allows you to do both!

Praying Through the Bible in One Year is a Scripture Reading Plan and Guided Journal to help you read and apply God’s Word to your life.

My desire is for this journal to guide you as you seek God and His truth. It’s divided into three parts.

*Praying Through the Bible in One Year* interior pages.

1. A Scripture Reading Plan. This plan takes you from Genesis to Revelation. Reading four or five chapters a day, you’ll read through the whole Bible in one year! Each week has five days of reading, leaving the weekends for catch-up.

2. A Daily Scripture. Pause on these verses, read them closely, and consider how they can impact your prayers for your kids.

3. A Prayer Prompt. Through these prompts, you’ll focus on ways you can pray for your kids. Blank space is provided for you to continue the prayer or to write down other meaningful Scriptures that you read during the day’s reading.

Leave a Legacy

Second, I created a free course to help you master the skill of journaling through the Bible to create a Legacy Bible for your own children.

Join me as I guide you in sharing God’s Word with your children or grandchildren through the pages of your own journaling Bible. Through this free, 6-week course you’ll discover how to share your own personal reflections through the pages of God’s Word.

It’s such a meaningful way to pass on heartfelt prayers alongside your favorite Scripture passages, leaving a heritage of faith. Each journal entry will be a treasured gift to future generations.

Find Community

There’s no doubt about it, we need each other. God created us for community. That’s why I started a group for us to connect and share how He is moving in our lives through His word. Every morning we post the daily verses (except weekends!) and talk about how the Spirit spoke to us regarding that passage.

Join the Facebook group–and join me–in praying for your child through the year:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/walkitoutscripturejourney/

Worth The Effort

Finally, I want to encourage you not to give up. The journal isn’t dated because I know how much pressure that can bring. Life happens. If you get off track one week, just pick up again the next week. God is more concerned with your desire to read His Word and connect with His heart than He is with your ability to complete a weekly task. This is your journal concerning your prayers for your kids. If it takes you two years to read through the Bible, that will be wonderful! Know your efforts, whether over one year or two or more, will be worth it.

Pick up a copy for yourself and share with friends! May God’s Word transform each of us this year!

Order Praying Through The Bible in a Year here:https://amzn.to/2D6tBm5

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April 29, 2019 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

How to Invite Others Into Your Healing through Transparency

Years ago, in 2005, I faced one of the hardest struggles of my life. I thought I was doing so well—as a writer, as a mom, and as a wife. One November, I pondered my family and my work, and I thought things couldn’t get any better. I even prayed Psalm 139:23-24:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

God did some searching, and I didn’t like what He found! God showed me areas of my life that needed healing.

It started with an email from an old boyfriend, and my heartbeat jumped to my throat. I’d thought about Steven* from time to time but that moment all the 14-year-old emotions came rushing back. I felt like that young teen again who’d found her “first love.” And as I thought about him I became dissatisfied by my current life. (How horrible is that?!)

Even though I broke off all communication with Steven,* in the coming months I still struggled with my emotions. What I realized is that even though Jesus had given me a new life I was still wrapped up in the old graveclothes. My good friend, Joanna Weaver, gives us a good picture of those graveclothes in her book,

Lazarus Awakening: Finding Your Place in the Heart of God:

I can’t imagine what it must have been like to see Lazarus shuffle out of the darkness of the tomb, wrapped in thin strips of linen according to the custom of the day. His arms and legs were probably wrapped individually, which allowed some movement. But to say the man was restricted would be an understatement.

The stench of death surely lingered around him. Depending on the original sickness, bloody patches may have marked the burial garment here and there, interspersed with yellow-crusted infection. Though a welcome sight to those who loved him, the resurrected Lazarus might also have been a bit frightening to behold.

I wonder what Mary and Martha thought when Jesus said, “Loose him, and let him go” (John 11:44, nkjv). As happy as I’d be to see my brother alive, I wouldn’t want to touch the strips of linen that had clung to his rotting flesh. After all, who knew what lay beneath the bandages? Just how resurrected was he?

Unwinding graveclothes. It’s a dirty job. But someone has to do it. [Tweet that!]

Someone has to do it. And that’s one of the factors of Lazarus’ story that shocks me most. For while Jesus Christ did what only He could do—bring a dead man back to life—He invited those who stood around watching to help with the process.

“Loose him, and let him go.” It’s the same command Christ gives the church today.

Help In Healing

Don’t you love that? Jesus invited others to help Him with the process of healing! In a past post I shared hints for helping others who need healing It’s a great resource for helping others find the healing they need. But now, I want to speak to YOU. Do you have areas in your life where you need healing? Are you tired to the odor of death and stench that seem to cling to you? Do you wonder why the pain and the shame from the past still can cling to you, even though you’re a new creation in Christ? If so, keep reading. And be willing to ask others for help.

Joanna’s words are powerful to me because she was one of the friends who helped me remove my graveclothes. But in order for her to do that, I had to be transparent and show her my mess. I had to confess Steven’s* email and the emotions that I thought were long gone. It wasn’t possible for me to do this in my own strength. I needed help. Here are three ways I invited Joanna—and other friends—in:

3 Ways To Invite Others Into Your Healing

I asked for prayer. Are you struggling? Ask your friend(s) to pray. Find people who you can trust. Let them know your struggles, and count on their prayers to hold you up.
I asked for Scripture passages. After I asked for prayers, I also asked my friends for their favorite Scripture passages. I spend time reading them, meditating on them and praying them myself. My friends pointed me to verses I’d forgotten. And, as I read, God’s word healed me.
I listened to their advice. This was the hardest part, but I listened to the advice of my friends. They shared how they overcame their own struggles in their own lives. They spoke with love, but they didn’t sugarcoat the situation. Sometimes it was hard to be transparent with my struggles and to listen, but my godly friends steered me in the right direction. I’m so thankful for that.

What are you struggling with? Open up and let your friends know. Be transparent and invite others into your healing. And be willing to help those around you to remove their grave clothes and find healing. That’s the way God has designed things. We need each other in so many ways.

Today, spend time praying about the parts of your life that you need to be healed from.

I’m also excited to be an upcoming guest on Joanna Weaver’s new podcast, THE LIVING ROOM! This podcast will be such a blessing and to kick things off, she’s doing a Podcast Launch Giveaway!
(ENDS APRIL 30th @ midnight!)

To find out more and enter visit here:https://joannaweaverbooks.com/TLRgiveaway/

Find healing today. @TriciaGoyer shares 3 ways to invite others into your healing here:

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April 2, 2019 by Tricia Goyer 4 Comments

Learning to Stand, to Believe, to Overcome … in the midst of life’s pain

For much of my parenting I focused on helping my kids make good decisions, yet as they’ve grown into adults I’ve realized that their decisions are only part of the factor. My kids will also face heartbreak because of hard circumstances and the decisions of others. There are times the darkness will seem to overwhelm our adult kids, and it’s during these times as parents we must pray for our children to stand, to believe, and to overcome, even in the midst of life’s pain.

My oldest son faced some heartbreaking circumstances in the last few years, but I’m proud of how he’s turned to God and sought His help. Below is Cory’s words, and a poem he wrote. I pray it’ll bless you today. Also, how can I pray for you? Are you in the midst of a heartbreaking time? Leave a comment and let me know!

Guest post by Cory Goyer

Life can be hard. Life can be disappointing. There are many ups and just as many downs. I’ve had my share of dark days. Days where I didn’t know how to go on. On one of those days while dealing with some pain I realized that I did not have to do this alone. A phrase came to me “I have my Savior by my side and an army at my back. I will not be overcome.” That phrase became the basis for my poem ‘Stand’ and became an important part of my journey through the darkness. I now have a piece of encouragement forever on my arm as a reminder that through the help of my Savior and those who support me I WILL NOT BE OVERCOME.

Stand

I stand in the arena
The sand beneath my feet
My enemies surround me
They crave for my defeat
In this crucible of courage
My heart has wavered so
But here I stand and here I’ll stay
I will not yield, I will not give way

Their blades of fear and doubt
Clash against my shield of faith
They try to slip past my defense
All hope they would erase
But I am a champion
A son of the king
Here I stand and here I’ll stay
I will not yield to anything

I stand in the arena
A paragon of hope
The spirit of my spear
Strikes against my foe
Time and again they come at me
One by one they fall
They try to overpower me
I endure it all

If I cannot be struck down
They try deceit instead

In the shadows, they whisper
Their words are precise, like a dagger
With my darkest, deepest fears
They try to resonate
My soul wavers
My eyes close
Abyssal blackness around me
Pain begins to surround me
I feel the world slipping
Poison dripping
Heavy breathing
Drowning
Darkness

Like the kings and heroes of old
When darkness overcame them
When the ocean threatened to drown them
When the enemy would tame them
With the last of my breath, I whisper
Save
Me

Light!
Shining bright!
Pierces the night!
Darkness flees
My soul alights!
A hand on my shoulder
Both gentle and strong
My Savior has found me
He was here all along

I am protected by righteousness
I am lifted up by truth
The enemy hisses
Through fang and tooth
I wear salvation like a crown
For I am saved and I am free
I tread upon the peace
That the King has given me

I stand in the arena
But I do not stand alone
Let this be known!
I have my Savior at my side
And an army at my back
I will not be overcome
I will not be overrun

To those who only spectate
I urge you to fight
Join us in the arena
Join us in the light
I invite my brothers
To fight by my side
I invite my sisters
To join me with pride
For we are all children
Of the everlasting King
And of our victories
The very heavens sing

I stand in the arena
I will not kneel I will not bow
I stand in the arena
Here I make this vow
Until the day I rest
When I reach the distant shore
I stand in the arena
To fight forevermore

Please let us know how we can pray for you to STAND.