The Prayer Porch

Category: Porch Reflections

  • Celebrate World Gratitude Day: Embrace the Power of Thankfulness

    Celebrate World Gratitude Day: Embrace the Power of Thankfulness

    September 21st is World Gratitude Day – a beautiful reminder to pause and notice the blessings that fill our lives. Gratitude isn’t just a nice thought. It’s a practice that can strengthen our hearts. It can lighten our spirits. It can even deepen our faith.

    Science has confirmed what Scripture has long told us: giving thanks changes us. Studies show gratitude boosts mental health, eases stress, and even helps our bodies heal. But more than that, God’s Word invites us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Gratitude lifts our eyes from what’s missing and helps us see His goodness right here, right now.

    Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude Today 🌸

    ➡️ Write it down. Keep a gratitude journal or jot down three blessings each day.

    ➡️ Send a thank-you. Text, call or write a letter to someone who encouraged you. Be specific about how they touched your life.

    ➡️ Pause with purpose. Before meals, meetings, or bed, take a breath and name something you appreciate in that moment.

    ➡️ Spot the helpers. Even in stress, look for those who are trying to make things better.

    ➡️ Appreciate your body. Thank God for the way your body carries you, heals you, and enables you to embrace those you love.

    ➡️ Celebrate small joys. The morning sunrise, coffee with a friend, or a quiet moment on the porch – all are gifts worth noticing.

    Lord, thank You for the countless blessings You pour out each day. Teach me to see Your goodness in small things. Help me give thanks in both ease and trial. Let me carry a heart of gratitude that reflects Your love. Amen.

    ✨ Gratitude isn’t about ignoring struggles – it’s about holding them alongside the goodness that is always present. Let today be a gentle invitation to look around, notice the blessings, and give thanks.

  • Finding Joy in Your Spiritual Gifts: A Reflection on Mary and Martha

    Finding Joy in Your Spiritual Gifts: A Reflection on Mary and Martha

    Sometimes I smile when I read the story of Mary and Martha. Two sisters, both devoted to Jesus, but so very different in how they expressed their love for Him. Martha bustled around, working hard to prepare and serve. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, soaking in His words.

    It’s easy to think one was “right” and one was “wrong.” But maybe the deeper lesson is that each of us has a different way of living out our devotion. Martha’s gift was service, hospitality, and care. Mary’s gift was presence, listening, and worship. Both loved Jesus, just in different ways.

    Not all of us are called to the same work, and that’s the beauty of it. Some of us love to bake bread or cook meals that nourish others. Some feel alive when teaching, guiding, or leading conversations. Others find joy in being the one who notices. They pray quietly and encourage with a text at just the right moment.

    Our culture often pressures us to compare – to think the loudest gift is the most important. But God delights in the quiet as much as the visible. The small prayer, the gentle kindness, the faithful service no one sees. All of it reflects His heart.

    A Gentle Reminder

    You don’t have to copy Mary or Martha. You simply have to be faithful with the gifts God has placed in you.

    • If you love to serve: your kitchen table can be an altar.
    • If you love to listen and pray: your quiet corner can be holy ground.
    • If you love to lead: your voice can guide others toward Christ.
    • If you love to create: your art, music, or craft can become worship.
    • If you love to encourage: your words can be a lifeline to weary hearts.

    Each of us brings something unique, and each gift is precious in His sight.

    Lord, thank You for the reminder that our gifts don’t need to look like anyone else. Teach us to celebrate the gifts You’ve given us, and to honor the gifts that we see in others. May we, like Mary and Martha, welcome You into our homes and hearts in the ways You’ve made us. Amen.

    🌿 As I sit on the porch today, I picture Mary quietly listening. I see Martha bustling with care. I realize the Church needs both. And it needs you too with the gifts God has entrusted to you, however ordinary they seem.

  • Welcoming the Season of Change

    Welcoming the Season of Change

    The seasons are shifting again. Summer’s warmth is slowly giving way to crisp mornings, shorter days, and the golden glow of fall. This change always stirs something in me. It’s an invitation to pause, to breathe, and to notice how God moves through the rhythms of creation.

    Just as the trees release their leaves, we are reminded that change is part of life. Sometimes it’s gentle, sometimes it’s hard, but always, God is faithful in the turning of each season. Fall invites us to slow down, savor small joys, and find gratitude even in the letting go.

    And what better way to mark the season than with something warm from the oven? Apples are the heart of autumn, and these apple scones capture the cozy comfort of fall days on the porch. Let them remind you of the sweetness God weaves into every season and feel blessed ✨

    Apple Cinnamon Scones with Brown Sugar Glaze 🍎

    Ingredients for the Scones:

    • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ tablespoon baking powder
    • 3 teaspoons cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ½ cup chilled butter, grated
    • 2 cups diced apple
    • ½ cup sourdough discard (or 1/2 cup Greek vanilla yogurt)
    • ½ cup applesauce
    • 1 egg
    • 4 tablespoons sweet cream

    Brown Sugar Glaze:

    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 tablespoons melted butter
    • ¾ cup brown sugar
    • ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
    • 2 tablespoons sweet cream
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • Pinch of salt

    Directions:

    Whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

    Grate the cold butter into the flour mixture. Toss until the butter pieces are evenly coated.

    Dice apples and add them on top of the flour mixture. Set aside.

    In a separate bowl, whisk together sourdough discard (or Greek yogurt), applesauce, sweet cream, egg, and vanilla until smooth.

    Gently fold wet ingredients into the flour mixture. Stir until just moistened (scone dough should resemble pie dough, not cookie dough – don’t over mix!).

    Pat dough into a 7-inch circle on parchment paper. Fold circle in half and in half again. Reshape into a 7- inch circle allowing the dough layers to stay. Cut into 8 wedges with a bench scraper, or into 16 squares from an 8-inch square.

    Place parchment on a baking sheet. Chill dough in the freezer for 5 minutes while the oven preheats to 375°F. Bake 15–17 minutes, until edges are crisp and centers are cooked through.

    While scones bake, whisk together glaze ingredients until smooth.

    Drizzle glaze over warm scones. Enjoy fresh or wrap individually to keep scones fresh for a few days.

    As you savor these apple scones, let they remind you that change, though sometimes bittersweet, often brings new beauty. Just as the apples ripen in their time, good things are being ripened in each of us by God. This happens even in the letting go. 🍂

    1. Lessons from John the Baptist: Living with Purpose

      Lessons from John the Baptist: Living with Purpose

      John the Baptist was not polished, popular, or powerful by the world’s standards. He lived simply in the wilderness, wore rough clothing, and preached a message many did not want to hear.
      Yet Jesus said of him, “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11).

      So what can we, as modern disciples, learn from John?
      How can we imitate his way of life while living in our everyday world?

      Point to Jesus, Not Ourselves

      When crowds gathered around John, he reminded them, “I am not the Messiah.” His mission was always to point people toward Christ. We imitate him when we live in a way that gives God the glory. Our words can reflect this. Our choices and even our struggles can too.
      When someone praises you for your kindness, work, or strength, you can simply say, “I’m grateful.” You can explain that God has helped you through so much. It doesn’t mean preaching a sermon, but gently shifting the focus to Christ.

      Live Simply

      John lived with little. His simplicity freed him to focus on God’s call. We don’t have to wear camel’s hair. We can choose contentment and avoid excess. Remember that our true security isn’t found in possessions but in Christ.
      Practice contentment by simplifying your home or schedule. Maybe it’s choosing not to buy every new gadget, or carving out quiet evenings without screens. Simplicity frees your heart to notice God.

      Speak Truth with Courage

      John boldly preached repentance, even when it cost him. In our own lives, we can speak the truth in love. We can do this by standing for integrity at work. It also means being honest in relationships or gently offering God’s wisdom when others need it.
      At work, this might look like choosing honesty over going along with gossip. In family life, it could mean lovingly setting boundaries, even if it’s hard. Speaking truth doesn’t have to be loud – it can be quiet faithfulness.

      Prepare the Way for Christ

      John’s mission was to prepare people to meet Jesus. We can achieve this by making space for Christ in our own lives through prayer. Forgiveness and surrender are also ways we can do this. We should encourage others to seek Him, too.
      Make a difference in your circle by praying for friends. Be quick to forgive. Offer encouragement to someone who’s searching. Small acts of kindness can open the door for others to experience Christ.

      Practice Humility

      John said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). His humility is a reminder that we’re not the Savior. Our role is simply to point to Him. Celebrate other’s success without comparison. Share credit freely at work. In your heart, keep asking, “Does this lift me up, or lift up Jesus?” That simple prayer keeps us grounded in humility.

      A Reflection for Us

      To imitate John the Baptist is not to retreat to the wilderness. It means living with the same spirit of humility, courage, and devotion in the midst of our daily lives. It means pointing people to Jesus, even in quiet ways. It means living simply and speaking truthfully. It means remembering that our lives are not about us – they are about Christ.

      Lord, help me to live with the boldness and humility of John the Baptist. Teach me to point others to You. Help me to live simply. Prepare the way for Christ in my heart and in my community. May my life be a lantern that shines toward Jesus, and not myself. Amen.

    2. Finding Light in Darkness: The Power of Gratitude

      Finding Light in Darkness: The Power of Gratitude

      From the outside, life can look picture-perfect. Smiles for the camera. A clean, orderly home. The perfect pictures on social media. Work always done on time.The likes and followers suggest everything is going just right.

      But underneath, many of us carry quiet struggles. These are worries that never make it into a post. They are heartbreaks that can’t be captured in a story. Darkness often lingers in the unseen places of our lives. We have worries that don’t show up in the photos. We endure heartbreaks that can’t be seen in a passing conversation. Darkness often lingers in the unseen places of our lives.

      And yet, it is often in those hidden shadows that God meets us most tenderly.

      “Even the darkness will not be dark to You;
      the night will shine like the day,
      for darkness is as light to You.”
      — Psalm 139:12

      Joyce Meyer, a well-known Bible teacher and author, has shared openly about her painful past. She experienced abuse, brokenness, and years of inner turmoil. Even after becoming a Christian, she struggled with anger, shame, and fear. Yet through it all, she has often spoken about the practice of gratitude. She chooses to thank God in the middle of the mess. She discovered that gratitude changes perspective: it doesn’t always erase the darkness, but it reminds us of the Light.

      Mother Teresa was remembered for her radiant smile and tireless love for the poor. She carried an unseen heaviness of spirit for many years. Even when she felt distant from God, she continued her daily rhythms of prayer and service. Gratitude, for her, was often found in the smallest things. It was food for the hungry and the touch of a hand. It was the chance to serve “Jesus in disguise” in the poor.

      Their lives remind us that struggle does not mean failure. It is part of being human. And gratitude, even in darkness, can open our eyes to God’s nearness.

      Maybe your life looks fine on the outside. On the inside, you’re carrying questions, grief, or a weight that feels too heavy to name. You’re not alone. God does not turn away from the darkness within us; He enters it. He walks with us there.

      And sometimes, the simple act of giving thanks in the dark becomes a lantern of hope. Living gratitude looks different for everyone. A few ideas might look like:

      • Gratitude journaling: Write down 3 small things each day you’re thankful for. These can be simple pleasures like a warm cup of coffee. It could be the sound of rain or a text from a friend.
      • Breath prayers of thanks: Whisper “Thank You, Lord” as you breathe in and out, naming one gift in the moment.
      • Porch pause: Step outside, notice one piece of creation around you, and thank God for it.

      These small acts of gratitude don’t deny the darkness – they invite God’s light into it.

      Lord, You see the struggles I hide. You know the shadows I carry. Teach me to give thanks even here, in the middle of the night. Let gratitude become a lantern to guide me, until I see the fullness of Your light. Amen.

      As evening settles, the last light fades. I sit on the porch and watch as the stars start to glow. They were there all along, unseen in the brightness of day. Gratitude feels like that, too – reminding us of blessings we couldn’t see until the darkness fell. And perhaps that’s how it is with God. His light is never gone. It simply shines differently in our darkest hours. 🌙✨

    3. Trusting Jesus for True Security

      Trusting Jesus for True Security

      When I look around at our world today, I see so much fear, division, and mistrust. For many, guns feel like security, like the only way to be safe in a world gone mad. But when I sit quietly with Jesus, I am reminded that He offers us a very different picture of peace.

      The prophet Isaiah spoke these words long ago:

      “He shall judge between the nations. He shall decide disputes for many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares. Their spears shall become pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation. They shall not learn war anymore.”
      — Isaiah 2:4

      It’s a vision of a world no longer shaped by violence, but transformed by the presence of God. Tools of destruction are remade into tools for growth and life.

      I know the conversation about guns is complicated. People carry deep convictions, and I don’t pretend to have all the answers. But I believe Jesus calls us not into fear, but into faith. Not into grasping for control, but into trusting His protection. Not into arming ourselves for battle, but into laying down our weapons and lifting up our prayers.

      On the porch today, I imagine what our world would look like. What if we trusted Jesus enough to live into Isaiah’s vision? What if we spent less time stockpiling for safety, and more time sowing seeds of peace? What if our courage did not come from what we carry in our hands? Instead, what if it came from Who we carry in our hearts?

      Jesus told us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9). Peacemaking takes more bravery than violence ever will. It involves stepping out of the cycle of fear. We entrust ourselves to the One who conquered death not with a sword, but with a cross.

      Lord Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace. Teach us how to lay down our weapons. These weapons can be of any kind. Help us live as people of faith, not fear. Give us courage to be peacemakers in our homes, our communities, and our world. May Your kingdom come, where swords become plowshares and guns are no longer needed. Amen.

    4. Hope Amid Chaos: Lessons from Corrie Ten Boom

      Hope Amid Chaos: Lessons from Corrie Ten Boom

      The world feels heavy these days. The headlines are noisy. Politics are divisive. It can be hard to find hope when fear and anger seem to dominate the landscape. But history reminds us that God’s Spirit has never stopped producing fruit even in the most barren times.

      One woman who lived this truth was Corrie Ten Boom. During World War II, she and her family hid Jews in their Dutch home. They risked everything out of obedience to Christ. When discovered, Corrie and her sister Betsie were sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp, a place of unimaginable cruelty. Yet even there, the light of the Holy Spirit shone through Corrie’s life.

      “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
      – Galatians 5:22–23

      • Love: She risked her life for strangers, showing Christ’s love in action.
      • Joy: She rejoiced over a smuggled Bible and sang hymns in secret, finding joy where none seemed possible.
      • Peace: In the face of terror, she clung to God’s promises and became a calm presence for others.
      • Patience: She endured long days of hunger and suffering with steadfast trust.
      • Kindness: She extended compassion to fellow prisoners, even when she had nothing to give.
      • Goodness: She chose what was right, even when it was costly.
      • Faithfulness: Her trust in Christ held firm through persecution.
      • Gentleness: She cared for the wounded and brokenhearted, reflecting Christ’s tenderness.
      • Self-control: After the war, she chose forgiveness over bitterness even toward her captors.

      In times like these, when division seems louder than unity, it’s easy to wonder if anything good can take root. Yet Corrie Ten Boom’s life reminds us that the Spirit’s fruit is not limited by the landscape. It often grows brightest in dark soil.

      Her life is proof that the Spirit’s work is stronger than the world’s brokenness. If fruit bloom in a concentration camp, it can bloom in today’s troubled times too.

      The call for us might not be to get swept up in the world’s chaos. Instead, it is to quietly and faithfully let the Spirit tend our hearts. To bear love where there is hate. Joy where there is despair. Peace where there is unrest.

      “Lord, help us to live as Corrie did, with courage, forgiveness, and hope. Cultivate the fruits of Your Spirit within us. In the chaos of today’s world, that others will taste and see that You are good.”

      As I write, the sky outside feels unsettled – clouds moving quickly, the air heavy with change. Maybe you’ve felt that way too, watching today’s world unfold. Here on the porch, a cup of tea warms my hands. The birds start their evening song. I am reminded that God still tends His garden. The Spirit is still at work.

      May we be like small trees planted by living water, steady and fruitful, no matter what storms rage around us. 🌿🍃

    5. Understanding God’s True Nature: Love and Holiness

      Understanding God’s True Nature: Love and Holiness

      Pull up a chair for a moment. Let’s talk about something that quietly shapes the way we live: how we see God.

      In our world today, God is often spoken of in soft, comfortable terms. For some, He’s seen as a distant force. He is like an energy that exists “out there.” This energy doesn’t touch our daily lives. For others, He’s imagined as endlessly permissive – a God who never corrects, only affirms. And for many, He’s optional: one spiritual path among many, something we can adjust to fit our preferences.

      This view of God can feel safe, even convenient. But it often ends up shaping Him into our own image. We make Him smaller, gentler, and more manageable than He truly is.

      The God We Meet in Scripture:

      When we turn to the Bible, though, we meet God. This God is greater than we can imagine. He is also nearer than we can fathom.

      • Holy and Just: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty” – Isaiah 6:3
        He is holy and just. He is pure and set apart. He is not simply a reflection of ourselves.
      • Loving and Merciful: “God shows his love for us. Christ died for us while we were still sinners.” – Romans 5:8
        His love doesn’t ignore our sin; it redeems it.
      • Personal and Near: “The Lord is close to everyone who calls on him.” – Psalm 145:18
        He is not a distant deity. He listens. He cares. He draws close.
      • Unchanging: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” -Hebrews 13:8
        Our culture shifts. Yet, He remains steady and true.
      • Lord and King: The Bible shows us a God before whom we bow, not a God who bends to us.

      This can feel like a tension – God is both infinitely loving and perfectly holy. He welcomes us with open arms, yet He calls us to be transformed.

      How we see God shapes how we live. If we see Him as only a gentle encourager, we might miss His call to holiness. If we see Him as only a strict judge, we might miss His tender love. But when we hold both together, His holiness and His mercy, we truly understand Him. When we hold His majesty and His nearness together, we truly understand Him. This is how we find the fullness of who He really is.

      And in that fullness, our hearts are changed.

    6. Finding Peace Through Honest Confession

      Finding Peace Through Honest Confession

      We all carry a quiet weight. It may be the memory of words we wish we hadn’t spoken. It could be actions we wish we could undo. Sometimes, choices leave us burdened with regret. Sometimes that weight lingers like a shadow, reminding us more of our failures than our hopes.

      Confession is one of God’s gifts for lifting that weight.

      For some, especially in the Catholic tradition, confession happens in a sacred space before a priest. For others, it may involve sitting across from a trusted friend. It could mean pouring out honesty onto the pages of a journal. It might also be whispering our hearts openly to God in prayer. At its core, confession is about being real: with God, with ourselves, and sometimes with others.

      Confession Brings Freedom

      When we hold things inside, guilt often grows heavier. But when we speak truth aloud, healing begins. Scripture reminds us:

      If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous. He will forgive us our sins. He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ” 1 John 1:9

      Confession is not about shame; it’s about release. It’s about laying down the burden so that we can walk lighter. Confession doesn’t need to be dramatic. It can be as simple as admitting, “I messed up, and I don’t want this to keep me stuck.”
      The act of bringing truth into the light is where change begins.

      With God: A simple prayer – “Lord, I’ve been holding this inside. Please forgive me and help me move forward.”

      With Yourself: Writing in a journal, naming what’s been weighing you down.

      With Others: Choose to be honest with a spouse, friend, or mentor. Allow that honesty to bring healing to the relationship.

      Each of these is a step toward wholeness.

      Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor and theologian during World War II, wrote deeply about confession in his book Life Together. Bonhoeffer lived under the heavy darkness of Nazi rule. He knew the human tendency to hide weakness and sin out of pride. Yet he insisted that true freedom comes only when we dare to speak honestly to one another.

      He wrote:

      “In confession the break-through to community takes place. Sin demands to have a man by himself. It withdraws him from the community. The more isolated a person is, the more destructive will be the power of sin over him.”

      Bonhoeffer reminds us that confession isn’t simply about admitting what we’ve done wrong. It’s about stepping out of loneliness. It’s about stepping into the healing of light and connection. Confession is not about punishment. It’s about freedom. It’s not about shame. It’s about grace, Wherever you are in your faith journey, confession can be the doorway to peace.

      What is the one small truth you could bring into the light this week? How might this truth help you walk a lighter lighter?

    7. Trusting God’s Timing

      Trusting God’s Timing

      “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

      Life so often feels like a waiting room. We pray, we hope, and yet the answer seems delayed or different from what we imagined. Trusting God’s timing can be one of the hardest lessons of faith.

      Even the saints wrestled with this. One of my favorite examples is St. Hildegard von Bingen. She was a 12th-century woman of great faith. She is now honored as a saint and Doctor of the Church. Early in her life, she received visions that left her uneasy. She wasn’t sure if the experiences were truly from God. The weight of that uncertainty filled her with fear. It also caused her hesitation.

      Instead of keeping her struggle to herself, Hildegard turned to someone she deeply respected: St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a holy monk known for his wisdom. They were separated by distance. Despite this, she reached out through a letter. She shared her anxieties. Should she stay silent or speak about what she had seen? Was this truly God’s call for her life?

      St. Bernard’s reply was simple but steadying. He reminded her that God’s grace was at work within her. His encouragement gave Hildegard the courage she needed to step forward in faith. In time, she embraced her calling and became a trusted counselor to popes, emperors, and countless others.

      Her story reminds us that even when our path feels uncertain, God provides what we need. Sometimes He provides through His Word. Other times, He provides through the quiet nudges of prayer. Often, it is through the wisdom of others He places in our lives. Just as Hildegard leaned on St. Bernard’s encouragement, we too can find strength in a mentor, a pastor, or a trusted friend. They remind us of God’s presence when we are unsure.

      Trusting God’s timing doesn’t mean we never feel anxious or restless. It means we bring those feelings to Him. We must stay open to the ways He uses others to guide and steady us along the way.

      For your reflection:

      Where in your life do you feel caught between waiting and moving forward?
      Who might God have placed around you to encourage you as you learn to trust His timing?

      Lord, help me to rest in the truth that Your timing is always good, even when I cannot see it. Give me patience to wait, courage to trust, and faith to step forward when You call. Amen.