Pray

Prayer silences the enemy.

Prayer silences my restless need to be seen.

Prayer gives me the mind of Christ.

If I do not pray, I live in reaction.

If I pray, I begin to live in truth.

We do not become fearless by avoiding what frightens us.

We become fearless by following Christ into it.

Biggest Fear

Not danger.

Rejection.

Not belonging.

Being misunderstood.

Being judged.

Being opposed.

I want to be accepted.

I want to be seen as good.

I want to avoid conflict.

I want no enemies.

But this, too, can be pride.

If I need approval, I am not free.

If I fear judgment, I am ruled by men.

If I avoid obedience to escape discomfort, I serve comfort — not Christ.

The Shepherd leads.

When David walked into the valley of the shadow of death, he did not secure everyone’s approval first.

He followed.

If I walk to preserve my image, I will fear.

If I follow Christ, I will stand.

The valley is not the end.

The struggle is not the end.

Communion is the end.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies —

not only people,

but the passions within me:

vainglory, envy, comparison, fear of man.

You feed me.

You anoint me.

You steady my heart.

If I belong at Your table,

I do not need to belong everywhere else.

If I am accepted by You,

I do not need to secure acceptance.

Some will misunderstand.

Some may envy.

Some may oppose.

Christ was not received by all.

Why should I demand what He did not claim?

The one who communes becomes what he receives.

So I rise from the table not defensive,

not striving to be admired,

not avoiding conflict at any cost —

but gentle.

Free.

Able to love without needing applause.

Able to endure misunderstanding without collapse.

Able to walk into tension without hatred.

Fear leaves when I no longer live for approval.

Love remains when I live only to remain with Christ.