About Teacups and Blessings

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 God, You are worthy of all my trust and all my worship. I want to live by faith and not by sight. The Bible instructs me to be a person of faith, living by faith and trusting that You always know what’s best for me regardless of how I see or want things to go or turn out. I pray, show me the ways and those areas of my life I haven’t fully trusted You or entrusted to You. Forgive me for judging You, or subconsciously accusing You, Lord, which is what I do every time I doubt Your wisdom and direction for my life. Show me the places I am still hanging onto unfulfilled desires and not accepting Your plans for my life. I do believe as the Word says, that living by faith also requires me to relinquish any control I think I have. Having faith in You means I will get out of the driver’s seat and be at peace with Your leading. I know Paul wrote that for now we see dimly as in a mirror and know in part, but in eternity we will see fully and understand fully. In the meantime, may I honor and glorify You by trusting You with my life and knowing that You know what’s best for me. Your plans for my life and direction are unique, but they are also beautiful and when I fully submit and accept You are always working on my behalf I’ll see the amazing life and unforgettable journey You are putting together for me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see—Hebrews 11:1

For we live by faith, not by sight—2 Corinthians 5:7

For now I see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known—I Corinthians 13:12  

Loving and covering God,

at times, the needs that suddenly or unexpectedly present in my day and life make me pause. At times they can be overwhelming, beyond my means and abilities. My flesh says to worry. My old mindset and way of thinking want to take control and start imagining worst-case scenarios. My old nature wants to become stressed or panic, but You have given me a heart of faith, You have spent time pouring over me and into me so that I can live with confident assurance and have that peace that passes all human understanding that Your promise to provide my need is real. You are my Jehovah Jireh; the God who sees me; the God who loves me unconditionally. Thank You God, for faith in You that anchors and balances me. Thank You for Your promises—beginning with Genesis 3:15—that help me remember You see me, I am not lost or alone, I am not on my own and I will never have a problem or need that can be larger or deeper than Your grace or heavenly supply; You will always be able to provide what is best for me. My glass is not “half full”, not even empty, but according to Your word it’s actually overflowing! The empty cross and empty tomb are proof of your power; a reminder there’s nothing You would not or cannot do for me! There’s no limit to what I can ask and the way You will supply my need are beyond what I can ask, think, or imagine. Thank You that Your promise to supply all my needs, means “All” my needs: big, small, material, bodily, mind, relational, financial, spiritual; whatever my need You will supply!” Thank you, God, that Your provision is not measured by the scarcity of my current circumstances, but by Your limitless capacity. Amen

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus—Philippians 4:19

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every go work—2 Corinthians 9:8

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us—Ephesians 3:20-21

 One more wrinkle, one more gray hair, a little less muscle tone, one more ache or pain; something that was working just fine yesterday, doesn’t seem to be working so well today. That’s life in this body and on this journey, Lord! The older I become the more my physical body wears its age. I don’t deny this body and my life has a few more cracks every day; every season my imperfections stand out more and more. I’m grateful Lord, that my cracks, rough edges, lines, and life-chips don’t disqualify me. I’m grateful that You still look at me through the eyes of love and possibilities, and even when I’m counting myself out, You are not. You use the ordinary for extraordinary purposes, and Your power is made perfect in our imperfections! 

Thank You for the stories beginning in the Book of Genesis, that remind us You call upon the youthful like Jeremiah, matriarchs and patriarchs like Sarah and Abraham, Zechariah and Elizabeth. You have need of the physically fit and sick or weakened in body. Young or old, healthy or weak, You have a plan for our life and neither our age, flaws, or wrinkles discourage You; they are not off-putting, if anything, those cracks become the places your brightness and light shine through even more! Amen     

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us—2 Corinthians 4:7 

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD, “plans to give you a future and a hope.”—Jeremiah 29:11  

 Dear God, as I look into my cupboard, I see an assortment of cups. Some I chose myself, others were given to me. My cabinet is an eclectic mix—and when I think about it, Lord, my life looks much the same. Some “cups” I’ve chosen: the decisions I’ve made, the paths I’ve walked. And some “cups” were handed to me without my asking: losses, health diagnosis, detours I never expected. My life, like my cupboard, holds a mixture—some cups filled with sweetness and delight, others with bitterness I would never have chosen.

But there is something else, Lord: You took a cup You did not create and did not deserve. You took our cup –the cup of sin—and drank it as though it were your own. On the night before Your death, You asked the Father if there was another way, another cup to accomplish our salvation. The answer was no. The broken, sin-stained cup we handed You was the only one that could save us.

Thank You, Jesus for drinking from my cup-every last bitter drop. Thank You for seeing how cracked and damaged my cup was and taking it into Your hands anyway. Because of You, I can face whatever has been poured into my cup, trusting that You are with me, strengthening and redeeming me even to the bitter parts. Amen

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer:

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey in my mouth!—Psalm 119:103

Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet with bitter—James 3:11

Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.”9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey. I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.—Revelation 10:8-10 

 “My God is not far off…”

“My God is going to set things straight…”

“My God is powerful and does not sleep…”

“My God is a God of justice and always protects the underdog…”

“My God, hears every one of my prayers; in fact, the moment I pray He answers me…My answer, solution, help is already on the way…”

Faithful God, these are some of the things I repeat to myself as I wait on You. They keep me encouraged and measured. They remind me of Your integrity and consistency; they keep me grounded in my faith and patient in waiting.

The truth is, You are not far away and You are not asleep and You do hear my prayers even before one word is out of my mouth and before I say one word or ask one thing You have already answered my prayer! Your faithfulness is that constant, endless thread that runs through my life. I can depend on You when all else fails You won’t fail me. In moments of fretfulness and creeping anxiety, pull me back from the edge of doubt and remind me all that I know about You to be true. On days when I feel nervous or uncertain about the future, I pray, remind me of what You have done in the past; You have never let me down.

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does—Psalm 33:4

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful—Hebrews 10:23

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies—Psalm 36:5

Heavenly Father, everyone has their “giants” to slay on this journey. For some it’s fear and for others it might be doubt. There’s another giant we will all have to slay at some point and that’s the giant of unforgiveness. Unforgiveness is like an unwelcome visitor who comes not just to visit but to set up permanent residence in our home. Forgiveness can be a difficult and challenging process, but it is also incredibly powerful. By letting go of anger and resentment, we can free ourselves from negative emotions and move forward with compassion and understanding. I recognize that forgiveness for others won’t feel like warm fuzzies and a lot of times it will be uncomfortable and my stomach or emotions will be in a knot. Still, the Bible teaches us forgiveness is not a suggestion, but a command and there are spiritual consequences when we don’t forgive. Lord, I want to obey Your Word. I don’t want to fall short or come up empty on this command. I confess forgiveness doesn’t come easy, and on my own I can’t accomplish it. I pray, help me slay the giant of unforgiveness that threatens to imprison me in bitterness, anger, and resentment. It will stunt my spiritual and emotional growth if I allow it to remain in my heart. Help me search my heart and see if there is any unforgiveness hidden beneath the surface in my relationships. It’s my desire to live in the freedom Jesus won for me on the cross and not be chained again. I trust and believe Your promise that says You give power to the weak and strength to the powerless. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen   

Inspiration or Today’s Teacup Prayer

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you—Ephesians 4:32

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you—Colossians 3:13

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.—Matthew 6:14-15

 Heavenly Father, I pray, teach me more about caring for my heart and filling it with good things. Not the physical organ that I do need to care for and show some love daily, but my spiritual heart that embodies qualities like unconditional love, compassion, forgiveness, and wisdom. It’s that unseen part of me that guides my values and choices in life and is responsible for the flow of energy and life force My spiritual heart sets me apart from the heart that’s been molded and shaped by the world’s ideologies. It’s that part of me that can’t be seen or examined by any medical test. I recognize, Lord, that the condition of my spiritual heart won’t show up on an EKG or ECG, but it’s always under Your scrutiny. Like David, I ask You for a clean heart and like Solomon I pray, help me learn to guard my spiritual heart with all my might because all life flows from it; it holds my faith and keep my values grounded. Surround and protect my heart, O Lord. It’s the place Your Holy Spirit abides and it influences my actions so I can reflect Your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen 

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer:

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me—Psalm 51:10

Blessed are the pure in heart, or they will see God—Matthew 5:8

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit win you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh—Ezekiel 36:26

 Dear God, like so many others in the Scriptures, I am a woman of worship. Worship purifies my heart, draws me closer to You, brings healing to my life and pleases You. I have been designed by You to worship and it’s my desire to worship You in spirit and in truth, through every season and continually. Like most, I have things that challenge and try to hinder my worship. Internally I often have turbulence within my soul, unforgiveness in my relationships, and the weight of my sin that makes me feel ashamed to approach Your throne of grace. Externally, I don’t always make worship a priority, and sometimes it feels inconvenient. Sometimes I allow my own needs to get in the way, and I sometimes want to substitute my service to others for worship. My struggles with worship sometimes expose the subtle ways I have conformed to the world and lost sight of You. Holy Lord, You are worthy of my complete and undistracted devotion and love expressed through worship. Help me rise above every hindrance and worship You in spirit and truth. I pray, whenever my reasoning to deny my spirit the refreshment worship brings seems logical and the right choice, may I be reminded that human logic should never override the Spirit’s calling to worship. In Jesus’ name. Amen       

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer:

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit and those who worship Hm must worship in spirit and truth—John 4:23-24

Come, let us bow down in worship. Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker—Psalm 95:6

Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with songs”—Psalm 100:2

 Heavenly Father, David was a man who was not afraid to look at himself with honesty and truth. It seems, the more he submitted to You, the more he studied Your law and meditated on Your Word, the more he grew spiritually and in his character. Thank You, Father, that the same is true for me as I not only read and study Your word, but spend time in meditation. My mind is enlightened and my spiritual understanding is open to strengthening and increasing me. You have taught me one of the most impactful, effective, life-giving, and self-empowering activities I can do is recognizing and naming the things that threaten to destroy me. When I acknowledge them; whether it is an emotion, a way of thinking, or a behavior, it removes their power and hold over me. Thank You, Father, for the power of self-examination. It is my goal to grow in self-awareness and be self-healing. I do not need to live in denial or be unaware of my flaws, my weaknesses, my sin-inclination. I will not live under the enemy’s oppressive thumb; he will not have anything to hold me down because I will have already talked with You about it and together, Lord, we are working it out and making even my weakness into strengths. I am not afraid to really look and see the one reflected in the mirror. Under the Spirit’s power and ministry of transformation and healing I will embrace what Christ did for me when He made me free through His death and resurrection; I will live in that freedom and will not be chained nor bound again. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting—Psalm 139:23-24

Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves—2 Corinthians 13:5

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord—Lamentations 3:40

 Heavenly Father, in his youth, David courageously confronted the arrogant Goliath who had been taunting and harassing Israel for forty days. Till David arrived nobody wanted to face the giant; anytime Goliath appeared they became timid and ran and hid. The more they cowered the more empowered Goliath felt. Praise be to God, as big as Goliath was David brought him down with one stone. We may not have Goliaths in modern times, Lord, but we still face giants that make us retreat and overpower us. Sometimes our giants are called fear, anxiety, doubt, worry, sorrow, guilt, shame, and unworthiness…They harass, heckle, shackle and rule over us. I’ve had my own giants to fight Lord. I name my [private] giants before You today [name] and I ask for courage, strength, and confidence to face them and put them in their place. I pray to defeat the enemies of my soul, my life, my health, my finances, my relationships, and my future. In Jesus’ name and by His authority my giants will be brought down to size. Because my Savior died and then got up from the grave, slaying every kind of giant I would face in my life, my giants no longer have power to boss me around, determine my steps or interfere with Your plans for me. They will not rob me of purpose nor steal the blessings You have ordained for me. I have been destined through Jesus to walk and live in freedom, not fear nor timidity. Father God, I don’t need five smooth stones or a slingshot to bring down [name], I have prayer, I have faith, I have Jesus who fights for me. As I confront my giants I will not cower, be timid, or feel defeated, I am reminded by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God this battle’s not mine, my God is mighty and fights for me, and therefore my victory is assured. In Jesus’ name. Amen    

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer:

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands—I Samuel 17:45-46 

He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s—2 Chronicles 20:15

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline—2 Timothy 1:7

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery—Galatians 5:1

 Heavenly Father today is going to be a stressful day for many who are trying to finish up their taxes; working feverishly to make sure they don’t miss the deadline and be penalized. We know ahead of time when our taxes are due whether we file quarterly or once a year, but we won’t be so fortunate or informed when You decide to send Jesus back and call an end to things of earth, when there will be a final accounting. We won’t get a heads-up, advance email, text, or memo informing us of our Savior’s return. The Scriptures teach us that our Savior’s return will be visible and glorious; it will happen without notice. Some will be at work carrying out their daily tasks. Some will be dropping off children at the babysitter’s or Daycare. Some will be shopping. Some will be vacationing, some will be putting things in order at home, doing laundry, preparing a meal or gardening. It won’t matter what we’re in the middle of, when Jesus returns, everything will come to a halt. Jesus’ return may not be something I think about each day; His return isn’t in my Day Planner or wall calendar listed among all the activities for the week or month. I’ll be just as surprised as everyone else. I pray, help me live my life of faith in such a way, even though I will be startled or caught off guard, I won’t be spiritually unprepared. May my faith in Christ hold fast and not waver regardless of what’s going on in my life or the world around me. May I stay clear of false teachings, guard and nurture my faith as precious treasure. I pray to love You with all my heart, soul, and mind every day and always, and because I care deeply about the eternity of those you have placed in my life, may I be someone who influences them to have faith in Jesus and love You also. I’m not sure if today will be the day Jesus comes back, but if He does, whether I’m sitting still with a cup of tea, stopping at my favorite coffee place or working on a project, may I be ready to meet Him! Amen

Inspiration or Today’s Teacup Prayer 

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only—Matthew 24:36

But Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him—Hebrews 9:28

Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ—Titus 2:13     

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Heavenly Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

I praise You that I am fearfully, wondrously, and uniquely made. Through Christ I have been given the freedom to make choices which is not merely a lack of constraints but the ability to choose a life that reflects Christ’s love and grace. I thank You that You have purposely created me to be both independent and interdependent; and I willingly accept the things I need to partner with and seek the assistance of others to accomplish in alignment with Your will and plans for my life and journey. I also rejoice in the ways You have purposed and made me to be self-contained and self-regulated with the help of Your Holy Spirit. Beyond the Spirit’s assistance I do not need anyone else to control my emotions; I am the master of my anger, my expressions of joy, whether I will live in fear or dwell in the pits of despair for prolonged periods are up to me. I do not need anyone else to regulate my thoughts. I am the one who regulates my desires and motives; I am discerning to sift these and know their origin. I am the one who will make sure my tongue is tamed and my hands and touch bring healing and not hurt or harm. I have the power to resist the devil and I cannot blame my [bad] or sinful behavior on him. I am the one who determines how I will spend my time; I am the one who determines if I will invest my time wisely or waste it on trivial trivialities. Lord, I will not believe the lie that I am powerless or helpless. May I be an instrument of Your will, have a submitted heart and enjoy this beautiful autonomy You have blessed me to have. Amen

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer

Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control—Proverbs 25:28

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it—Genesis 4:6-7

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love—Galatians 5:13 

Heavenly Father, as I begin this new week, You have lovingly and wisely brought the subject of abundance to mind; the caution Jesus so generously brought up as He preached and taught. One quick glance around my home (or office) is enough to see whether I could use some weeding out of possessions. Jesus lived life on earth as a minimalist; He was in and out of many homes. Homes of both the rich and the poor, more than anyone He can see when our priorities are jumbled and twisted and when we lose sight of what’s important to accumulate. Though Jesus enjoyed the beauty all around Him, He was not a collector of earthly things. Maybe more than anyone Jesus understood and lived by the motto “You can’t take it with you!” It’s so easy to accumulate possessions Lord, so easy to add to what we already have enough of, until before we know it, we have duplicates of many if not most things in our living spaces. I pray help me incorporate the principal of “less” in my life. I don’t want to be stressed out because I own too much. Help me be a giver and not a taker of possessions. May I always be mindful of what I can share with others, even go as far as adopting the practice when something new comes in, something old or similar goes out. May the abundance I concentrate on having be that which doesn’t take up space. May I desire to have more love for You and others, patience, joy, peace, generosity, compassion, helpfulness…Lord, by the time I leave this earth, I don’t want to leave my loved ones with an overabundance of possessions to sort through or divide; may the abundance I leave them be that which they can hold in their heart and memory and be happy to have!   

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer:

Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; or not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions—Luke 12:15

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, whether moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal—Matthew 6:19-20

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that does not fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys—Luke 12:33  

 Heavenly Father, You have written at length in Your word about humility. There are more verses than we can count that speak to that subject. You have not shied away from the subject of humility and letting us know its required of those who love and follow Jesus. Humility, vulnerability, forgiveness, and patience are key to restoring relationships with those around us. None of these qualities come easily for us, Lord! We aren’t by nature humble, patient, forgiving or desiring to be vulnerable, in fact, the opposite is much easier and natural. Yet, some of the most substantial and wonderful changes in lie come when we are willing to step back, become humble. Being humble means we are also vulnerable, and being vulnerable means risking rejection. This is not easy to do, Lord! We wonder and are fearful that either one of these or both of these also mean our position of humility and vulnerability could be used against us later. What if the person we need to be this way with does not reciprocate? What if we lay all our cards on the table and they don’t do the same? What if we let them know how we really feel and all they do is use that as ammunition and throw it back in our face? What if I admit my mistakes and failures and it gets thrown back in my face? Lord, there are a million reasons not to be humble and vulnerable and only one reason to be so: That’s because You require it of us. Lord, I believe and trust You will back me up and cover me whenever I do what’s right. Help me in my unbelief and fear! In Jesus’ name. Amen

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer

He gives you more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble…Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will lift you up—James 4:6,10

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God—Micah 6:8

Humility is the ear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life—Proverbs 22:4

Father, it’s my desire to be a woman who treats each day as precious and a gift from You, to take advantage of the opportunities to do good that You arrange for me each day, and to carefully weigh and consider the costs that may be attached to taking certain roads or paths. Today I can just hear the apostle Paul as he cautioned the believers in Ephesus. He told them to be very careful how they lived. They were to live as wise people, always considering the brevity of life and that each decision and action mattered not only now, but in the long run. As I start my day, I ask for Your guidance, I ask to be filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit so I can detect the things that could trip me up. I pray for strength and courage. I pray to be a good influence on others, so that my faith in You shines like a beacon light. Though it’s tempting to wallow in yesterday’s mistakes, I pray, Lord, help me put the past behind me, accept Your grace and forgiveness and keep moving forward. Help me take my disappointments, hurts, and losses in stride and give each one into Your care. Thank You for Your promise to heal my heart, renew and strengthen me. Thank You for Your promise to bring good out of everything, Lord. At times I may feel broken, defeated, and even crushed in spirit, but I am reminded that even broken crayons can be used for coloring and creating masterpieces. As long as I keep my hand in Yours nothing can truly defeat or overcome me. In Jesus’ name. Amen      

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer

I will strengthen you and help you—Isaiah 41:10

I will be strength to him and I will give him my grace to sustain him no matter what comes—Psalm 89:21

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil—Ephesians 5:15-16

  Heavenly Father, anyone whose raised children knows after many years of teaching, showing, disciplining, nurturing and encouraging, the day comes when that child has grown up to be a responsible young person; all that work and patience will have paid off. When that happens a parent or guardian can feel at peace leaving them alone for a few hours, or a short period of time, assured they will not get into mischief. Unfortunately, our thoughts are not like that. Until the day we come home to be with You for all eternity, our thoughts will always need coaching and monitoring. When our thoughts are left on their own too long, they tend to derail like a high-speed train. We begin thinking about the worst things; imagine the worst outcomes. Our thoughts can make us self-focused, feed our sorrows, be consumed with conversations that didn’t go well, accuse, and torture us. Our thoughts can even mislead us and make us question Your promises, forgiveness, unconditional love and faithfulness. The Scriptures says we are “prone-to-wander” and surely this must apply to our thoughts also. Father God, help me control my wandering thoughts and demolish every pretentious argument that presents itself for my destruction. Help me think about the things that are true, encouraging, and profitable for good mental, heart, and spiritual health. In Jesus’ name. Amen  

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things—Philippians 4:8

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ—2 Corinthians 10:5

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind—Romans 12:2

 Heavenly Father, sometimes it feels like I’m playing catch-up all day. Catching up on my laundry, catching up on washing dishes, catching up on my phone calls, catching up on the cleaning I needed to do days or weeks ago, catching up on my email, catching up on my devotions or Bible reading plan, catching up on my sleep. Sometimes it feels like even if I worked round the clock; twenty-four-seven I still would be behind! I’ve learned, the harder and longer I work at things the more insistent Your Holy Spirit nudges me to stop, draw closer to You, come back to the well that never runs dry so I can draw from Your strength; be filled with living, refreshing water. As the saying goes, “we can’t pour into or pour out for others when we’re running on empty ourselves.” Even when I’m feeling pressed or like I’m playing catch up, I pray, may I be reminded that those are the times I especially need to spend time in Your presence so I can draw from Your wonderful spirit and countenance. In Jesus’ name. Amen  

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the Lord protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain—Psalm 127:1   

Come to me, all you who ae weary and burdened, and I will give you rest—Matthew 11:28

Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all—Ecclesiastes 9:11

 Father, thank You for the Easter reminders—which are like a spiritual boost—to remember what our Savior accomplished for us on the cross. As His lamb I am blessed to live out my life under a different set of values and have power than someone who relies on world power and strength. I feel spiritually invigorated and empowered knowing I have the ability through Christ’s victory over death to make sound choices that lead to good outcomes, the ability to face my challenges and trials from the perspective of future good and victory, the ability to choose paths that lead to personal growth and live a transformed life. I even have power to resist the devil when he comes to whisper lies in my ear or introduce temptations that are meant for my destruction. Father, I expect there will be people and spiritual opposition on my journey—maybe even today—moments my faith in Your word and promises will be challenged and put to the test; times the devil will make me question my personal worth and identity. I ask to be strengthened and reminded in these moments of who I am and to whom I belong. I am undergirded by heavenly power. I do not have to entertain fear or feel defeated, through my Savior’s victory over death and the grave, through His power I am rooted, firmly established, and can enjoy all the benefits that come with living as your daughter. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you—Romans 8:11

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.—Ephesians 3:16-19

Heavenly Father, sometimes I’m uncomfortable living in this body designed for Mother Eve. Although I know the human body has many issues that are common to our age and season of life regardless of our sex, still at times, as a woman there are things I experience that are unique to my gender. Sometimes the changes challenge me. I’m grateful that as my Divine Designer You know and understand exactly what I’m going through and experiencing every season of my life. I pray, help me to navigate life in this body well. Help me do the things that are important for my continued health and wellbeing and to honor my body as Your Temple; I will not deliberately mistreat it! Forgive me for the times I’ve only been concerned about my exterior and overlooked the aches and pains that are signaling something isn’t right in my interior. Thankfully, You have provided medicine and health professionals for every generation; may I always be obedient and alert to stop and take care of my mental, physical and emotional health under their wisdom and knowledge. May I never ignore the signs You send me or believe foolishness that says because I am a child of the Most High and a woman of faith that I don’t have to be concerned about getting sick. Sickness and the issues of aging are part of this life I accept as natural and even a blessing. May I get in the habit of speaking blessing and life over myself and not do things that speak and promote unwellness and early death. In Jesus; name Amen

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well—Psalms 139:14

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit—Proverbs 18:21

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies—I Corinthians 6:19

My God who gives me strength, the enemy of my soul and future would love to make me believe that I am weak and helpless to resist temptations. He wants me to think I am [still] chained and bound to my flesh and cravings. We know differently. As I stand on the cusp of the anniversary of Good Friday, I am evermore reminded of what my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came to accomplish on my behalf. Jesus’ death on the cross set me from sin, the world, and the flesh and I am no longer bound; no longer in chains; not even my flesh has control over me. I have been set free to reject, resist, and refuse all things that would do me harm or bring damage to my body, my mind, my relationships, my finances, my family, my health, my soul and my spiritual inheritance. In Christ even my weaknesses are made strong. I am not defeated and sin and the devil no longer have charge over me. Even today, when those things that have previously been stronger than my will, stronger than my commitment to resist, stronger than the promises I have made to myself or others enter, I can turn away and resist them. I can remember that it is not under my power I am made strong or have the victory over, but through the power of Jesus Christ who died to set me free. Today, through the power and blood of Christ, I resist the temptation of/to [name]. In Jesus’ name. Amen     

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer:

But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me—2 Corinthians 12:9

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him—Psalm 28:7

I can do all things through him who strengthens me—Philippians 4:13 

  Father, for many today is known as a day for playing tricks. Most will be harmless and playful, done with the intention of getting a good laugh, but some won’t be laughable at all, some tricks will go too far, cause hurt feelings, or endanger others. It’s not uncommon or out of the ordinary to be deceived or tricked in this world, God. Every day my powers of observation and awareness need to be in place and at work. I can’t let my guard down for one minute but should be constantly aware, constantly watching out for scams and testing if something presented is real or not. I can’t trust everything I see, read, or hear. I need to research the source and ask questions. Thank You for the wisdom You provide. Thank You for creating me with intelligence and the ability to have that inner sense of when something doesn’t feel or seem right or legit. Thank You that I can rely on the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me into [all] truth—which includes what I read in my Bible—but also as I journey through this world and go about my day and life. I’m grateful for the Spirit’s counsel and will not ignore or dismiss what He points out to me. Because the Holy Spirit is my constant companion who warns me, I will not be a victim to those who prey on me. Today I pray for increase in wisdom, increase in understanding, increase in spiritual awareness and discernment. I will be quick to pray, quick to seek Your guidance, quick to consult my spiritual antennae and slow to sign on the dotted line, slow to give my heart, slow to believe what seems too good to be true. I am safe in Your care, Father. In Jesus’ name. Amen    

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer 

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world—I John 4:1

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ—Colossians 2:8

Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you—Matthew 24:4