Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage's Blog

A Prayer about How Christmas Disturbs Our Self-Made Shalom:

Does Christmas disrupt you?

But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. Luke 1:29

Wondrous God, 

Even though this verse isn’t usually 

the subject of memes or cross-stitched wall-art, 

we need...

A Prayer about Undeserved Grace

How do we thank God for his undeserved grace?

Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you! Luke 1:28

Wondrous God,

As advent, the season of celebrating the wait for Christ to come, 

begins today, 

open our eyes to see the hope-full truth:

Grace is all about you! 

In Greek, t...

A Prayer about the Perfect Marriage Awaiting Us

Do you look forward to the best wedding day ever?

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation 21:2

Lord Jesus,

As we anticipate the full intimacy 

we will know with you and t...

A Prayer about Walking in God’s Way

Do you want rest for your soul?

Thus says the Lord: stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Jeremiah 6:16

Merciful Lord,

What a frightening pas...

A Prayer about Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

What are you giving thanks for today?

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Gracious Lord,

For some of us, 

today’s circumstances may include

maple-smoked tur...

A Prayer about Thanking God for Special People

Have you thanked God lately for the people he’s put in your life?

On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. Acts 28:15

Author God,

Since today is my husband’s birthday, 

and since people in Scripture 

often thank you for people you’ve blessed them with,

...

A Prayer about Radical Transformation

Have you ever lost hope for someone?

But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Acts 8:3

Merciful God,

How good it is to read straight through the Bible 

because we return to radical redempt...

A Prayer about Seeking Shalom in Places of Exile

Do you ever feel like an exile?

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:7

Redeeming God,

What a seemingly strange command. 

Your rebellious...

A Prayer about Talking about Death and Dying

The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26

Gracious Father,

You know how deathly afraid we are of death. 

We ask for your grace and mercy 

to help us talk about death and dying, 

well before we have any inkling that we might die. 

We ask you to gi...

A Prayer about Missing People and Places at the Holidays

Are you missing someone this holiday?

My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Psalm 84:2

Gracious and Hospitable Lord,

As Thanksgiving comes around, 

our family misses my mom and her home...