The World Race is not all glitz and glamour.
It’s hard, it’s messy, and sometimes you just wish it was done.
We get so caught up in our troubles that we forget to thank God for all that He’s already done and will do for us in the future.
My teammate Marisa spoke of this one morning at devos and we spent some time writing “Hallal’s” or “poems of praise” to God. The most well known one is Psalm 136.
So I thought I would share my own personal hallal with you. Enjoy.
I thank the God who gave me breath.
I thank the God who gave his life for mine.
I thank the God who sees me.
Who makes the lame walk.
Who makes the blind see.
Who heals the sick and afflicted.
Who raises the dead.
Who can make mountains jump into the sea with just a word.
Who broke the barrier between heaven and earth.
You gave me hope when I saw none.
You held me in my weakest moments.
You fought away the darkness that tried to creep through the cracks.
You have never stopped pursuing my heart.
You loved me even when I was unlovable.
You gave me strength when I could not go on.
You never held a grudge.
You are there when I cry out.
You have chased away demons.
You met me where I was.
You never left or failed me.
You say that I am beautiful.
You say that I am worth pursuing.
You say that I am loved.
You say that I am cherished.
You say that I am wanted by you.
Give thanks to God in Heaven.
I would encourage you to think about your own personal hallal. Thank God for who he is. Thank him for what he’s doing. Thank him for what he will do. We should be singing songs of praise everyday to him. He is our strength.Even in the dark and lonely times we should be thanking him because we know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
So if this is something you would also like to do, you can follow this format to write your own praise to God:
Verses 1-3: Giving thanks to God.
Verses 4-9: Miracles only God can do.
Verses 10-20: Great things God has done (personally or in general).
Verses 21-25: Declarations over yourself (who God says you are).
Verse 26: “Give thanks to God in Heaven”.
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My month in Thailand is coming to an end, and while I am sad to leave, I thank God for the opportunities he has given us.
We have been blessed my some of the most amazing hosts (and as World Racers know, a host can make or break your month). They have loved us unconditionally since the moment we stepped on campus and welcomed us with open arms. I have never met people more genuinely hospitable than them and it pains me to leave.
But I know that there are plans and encounters already set in motion for these next 5 months that I anticipate with a ready heart. And there are ways you can help me be prepared for them too:
1. Prayer
My team and I are headed to Malaysia next month where we are not allowed to speak of our beliefs, at all. It is dangerous. Please be in prayer for safety and that God would set up encounters for us to be his hands and feet.
2. Finances
We have a deadline coming up on July 1st and I am still $2,100 away from meeting that final goal. Please consider helping me reach that goal and continue on the race marked out for me. This can be done by either sharing my blog and encouraging others to donate, or to click on the “Support Me” link located on this page and giving what you feel the Lord is calling you to give.
I thank you all so much for the love and support you have already shown and sent my way. I would not be where I am without you. I love you all.
God bless.
