The Prayer Porch

Tag: jesus

  • Finding Stillness: Inner Peace on My Back Porch

    Finding Stillness: Inner Peace on My Back Porch

    On my little back porch – The quiet moments come before the world fully wakes. The sunlight spilling gently across the floorboards. The leaves rustling, whispering their morning prayer. This porch has become a sacred space – a threshold between the outer world and the inner one.

    As I settle into that quiet space, I find myself drawn to the life and wisdom of St. Teresa of Ávila, a 16th-century nun, mystic, and reformer whose words still stir hearts centuries later. Teresa’s writings invite us to explore prayer. They also encourage us to delve into the deep interior life. It is that tender meeting place where our soul communes with God.

    In her masterpiece, The Interior Castle, St. Teresa describes the soul as a grand castle made of crystal. It is full of rooms that lead ever inward toward the center. This is the place where God dwells.

    She wrote that many people live only in the outer courtyards, busy and distracted, unaware of the beauty within. The spiritual journey, she said, involves moving deeper into those inner rooms. This is achieved through prayer, humility, and love. These practices help us rest in God’s presence at the very heart of our being.

    That image feels so close to what I experience on the porch. When I quiet my mind and let the noise settle, I can feel myself moving inward. I transition from thought, to breath, to stillness. This brings me closer to the One who loves me completely.

    St. Teresa also compared prayer to watering a garden. At first, she said, it takes effort – drawing water by hand, tending each plant carefully. But over time, as we grow in trust, the garden begins to water itself through rain – grace freely given.

    In her words:

    “The soul is like a garden, and the Lord delights to walk among its flowers.”

    Maybe our porch time is like that early watering. These are quiet moments when we show up weary or hopeful. We trust that something beautiful is being tended in us, even when we can’t yet see it blooming.

    🪷 How to Pray Like Teresa

    Here are a few simple ways to bring her spirit to your own porch:

    1. Begin with Stillness
    Sit quietly. Notice your breath. Let the outer rooms of your mind settle. You don’t need to do anything – just be present.

    2. Offer Humble Prayer
    Teresa reminds us that humility is the doorway to God’s love. Speak simply, as if to a dear friend. Tell Him your joys, your weariness, your longing.

    3. Rest in Silence
    After speaking, stay a moment longer. Don’t rush away. This is the heart of prayer – the space where words end and presence begins.

    Perhaps the porch – that small, humble space between inside and out – is a reflection of Teresa’s inner castle. It’s where heaven meets earth, where our busyness softens into prayer.

    Today, you don’t have to find perfection in your spiritual life. Just step into the next “room.” Move a little deeper into your own heart. Trust that God is already waiting there.

    Lord,
    Teach me to enter the quiet places of my heart.
    Help me to water the garden of my soul with gentle trust.
    May I meet You there in stillness and simplicity. Let me learn to rest in Your love. Teresa did this, faithful and free.
    Amen.

    Which “room” of your inner life are you being invited into today — stillness, trust, surrender, or joy?

  • Finding Peace in Uncertain Times

    Finding Peace in Uncertain Times

    It’s no secret that life in America feels unsettled right now. The news is heavy, conversations can quickly become divided, and many of us carry quiet worries about the future. It’s hard not to feel the tension.

    Even in seasons like this, there are places of steadiness we can return to. These include kindness, listening, and the simple act of being present with one another. These aren’t small things. They are bridges that help us move beyond the noise and back toward our shared humanity.

    Scripture reminds us of peace for those who walk in faith. It says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27). For all of us, peace can become a practice. No matter our background, we can choose calm when everything around us feels uncertain.

    The world around us can feel shaky. Slowing down is important. Choosing how we respond can be a quiet act of courage. A kind word, a pause before reacting, or even taking time away from screens to rest – these choices matter. They remind us that while we can’t control everything, we can nurture peace within ourselves and offer it to others.

    A Porch Reflection ✨

    When was the last time you felt truly steady – even for just a moment? What helped you feel that way, and how might you return to it this week?

    End your day by naming one way you showed kindness, however small.

    Take a break from headlines today. Step outside, notice the air, the light, the quiet.

    Before a conversation that might feel tense, pause and remind yourself: “This person has fears and hopes, just like me.”

    Some families and communities find it helpful to have a prayer bowl on the coffee table. They place it in a room where they gather to pray. Whenever someone asks for prayer, they write the request on a little piece of paper. They put the paper in the bowl. When it’s time for morning or evening prayer, each person can take a few slips of paper from the bowl. They read the requests. This is also a good way to remember people we don’t see every day. We can think of children in war zones. We should also consider victims of human trafficking.

    We may not solve every challenge in our nation overnight. Together, we can create circles of peace. And when those circles overlap – porch by porch, heart by heart – something steadier begins to grow.



  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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. 🌿🍃

  • 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.

  • 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?

  • 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.

  • Reflecting on the Assumption: Trust, Love, and Purpose

    Reflecting on the Assumption: Trust, Love, and Purpose

    We pause today. We contemplate a mystery filled with light and hope. Today is The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the close of her earthly life, Mary was taken body and soul into the glory of Heaven.

    For Catholics, this day is a reminder of God’s promise to bring His people into eternal joy. For anyone seeking hope, it is a moment to reflect. It reminds us that life on earth is not the end. Mary’s story invites us to consider: What am I living for? What is my heart set on?

    Mary’s Assumption offers a glimpse of our created purpose. We are made for life, love, and fullness beyond what we can see here and now. We may not share Mary’s specific faith tradition. However, we can all be encouraged by her example of saying “yes” to the good, the true, and the beautiful.

    We honor her in this feast. We are invited to lift our gaze above the distractions of this world. We remember what truly lasts. Like her, we can choose trust over fear. We can choose love over self-protection. We can also choose hope over despair, knowing that every faithful step shapes the story of our lives.

    Mary, assumed into Heaven, draw my heart closer to your Son. Teach me to live with faith, humility, and hope, until the day I share in the joy of His Kingdom.

    For your reflection:

    • What distractions keep me from fixing my eyes on what truly matters?
    • In what small way can I say “yes” and choose trust and love today?
    • How does the hope of something beyond this life shape the way I live now?

    Mary’s story invites us to lift our gaze beyond this world and live each day with trust, love, and hope.

  • Quiet Acts of Ministry: Serving at Home

    Quiet Acts of Ministry: Serving at Home

    This morning, over steaming mugs of delicious lattes, my friend shared her excitement for an upcoming ministry trip. As we talked, I couldn’t help but think about what her days will hold. They will include long hours and deep conversations with people she has never met. She will pour herself out for others. I reflected on how ministry can happen in many places. Sometimes, it begins right where we are.

    It’s easy to think of ministry as something that happens in far-off places. We often consider it on mission trips, in church programs, or through big events. Often, ministry is as close as the person sitting across from us at the kitchen table or coffee shop.

    We can care for someone’s needs in so many ways. We can make a meal, mow a lawn, watch someone’s children, or tidy a space while they’re away. In doing so, we offer the love Jesus modeled. It will never make headlines, but it matters deeply to the heart of God.

    “Serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13

    Service done quietly is still noticed by the One who sees all things. In fact, Jesus often served in ways that were simple and hands-on—washing dusty feet, breaking bread, and sharing meals. These moments weren’t grand gestures; they were grounded in presence and care.

    Maybe you can’t board a plane for a mission trip right now and maybe you never will. Each of us has a different calling. Your calendar or the season of life might be keeping you close to home. That doesn’t mean God can’t use you in powerful ways. Your living room can become a place of ministry and so can your front porch.

    The next time a friend heads off to serve far away, consider how you might serve right where you are. It could be as simple as a prayer whispered on their behalf. Perhaps a home-cooked meal could be waiting for their return. You might also consider doing a small project in secret to lighten their load.

    “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16

    One saint who beautifully lived this truth was Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, known as The Little Flower. She never traveled on great missions or preached to crowds. Instead, she chose to serve God through the “little way”, doing small acts of love with great devotion. Whether it was a kind word or a hidden sacrifice, she believed nothing was too small to offer to God. A task done in silence was also significant to her. Her life reminds us that every simple act of service, when done in love, becomes holy. Ministry doesn’t always need a suitcase – sometimes it simply requires a willing heart.

    Who in your life can use a quiet act of kindness this week?
    How you can be the hands and feet of Jesus to someone right where you are?