power of prayer

Friends and Seasons

~ Extravagant Hope ~ Leave a comment

I love this sweet sign a precious friend gave me. It’s so true, isn’t it?

God handpicked specific people for every season of life to care about us, laugh with us, celebrate & grieve with us. Some encourage us & give gentle nudges when we get stuck. Others offer us the beautiful gifts of listening & compassion. There are friends who bring out our adventurous spirit & spontaneity & friends that bring a calm, steady peacefulness.

If you find yourself in a season of loneliness, I know that it’s a really hard place to be. I’ve been there. It hurts. We need to believe & trust that God is right there waiting to fill up that lonely place with Himself – the best friend one could ever have.

In that season, I think He’s also handpicking, shaping, & setting all the things in motion for you & another, who’s waiting for a friend, to bump up against each other, smile, & embrace the blessing of a dear soul taking up residence in your heart.

Ascending excerpt

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This is an excerpt from Ascending found in my book, Divine Appointments…

Your prayers–whispered, shouted, sobbed, sung, laughed–are all precious to Jesus. He hears every word and pays such kind attention to every bit. He speaks healing, prophecy, joy, love, and belonging over every word you speak to Him. He speaks Himself into everything that concerns you. How loved you are…rest in that peace.

Release Worry

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I am a worrier and an overthinker. I rehearse all the what-ifs because I’m afraid of being blindsided and having no control.


Like many of us, bad things have blindsided me more times than I like to remember. The blindsiding leaves wounds that don’t quite heal–a nervous system always on alert, scanning and planning to try and prevent one more thing. It is an exhausting way to live and takes such a toll on us.

I’m in a season of life where I want more joy, peace, calm, and a surrendered way of living. Surrendered. That’s a tough one for us controllers. I am a work in progress!

Each day I talk to Jesus about everything going on. I do my best to carefully place all the people, things, pets, circumstances, and what-ifs into His hands…and leave them all there with Him. I confess, I often have to give it all to Him again and again, but He knows my heart. He knows I’m trying and how hard and frightening it is.

I love this verse. I needed to see it today. This is truth. Worrying will not add anything joyful, peaceful, calm, or surrendered to my life. It will perpetuate the cycle of fear, hyper-vigilance, and rehearsing all the outcomes.

I don’t want to miss the beauty, joy, peace, and blessings that my Father wants to pour out for me to enjoy and rest in, as I go about my day. He wants to do that for you, too, my fellow worrier. How He loves us!


I prayed for us this morning that God would speak to us, heal us, and calm our worried minds, as He reminds us that He’s got us and He’s trustworthy. He won’t fail us.

Isaiah 30:21 Prayer

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Father,

I pray for the one who is wrestling with uncertainty. They are at a crossroads right now and have choices to make. Voices of friends and family are coming at them from all sides. Noise, chatter, and strong opinions are overwhelming, and they can’t hear themselves think. They want so much to do the right thing, to follow You, and please You.

I pray that You will silence the noise and bring them out into a spacious place where they can rest their mind in stillness and peace. Give them a safe place to truly hear Your voice. You have guided them in the past, and You will do it again. Please speak to them in the unique way that You created them to hear Your voice. May they encounter You in intimate and startling ways as You reveal their next steps and show them how to proceed. Remind them that You are the Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end. You see their entire journey laid out before You. You know the way.

I pray this beloved one will trust You, will believe that they hear You calling them forward, and will respond with belief that You are for them. Thank you for filling them with confidence and purpose. Thank you for guiding them along the life-road You created for them.

In Your beautiful name, Jesus,

Amen

Isaiah 30:21 NIV “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

Photo credit: James Wheeler

Divine Series

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Good morning! If you haven’t checked out my 4 devotional books, The Divine Series, I invite you to click the link below ⬇️ and check them out.

Discover the God who meets you in every moment—compassionately, powerfully, and always with love.

The Divine Series by Melissa Giomi is a collection of devotionals inviting readers to slow down, breathe deeply, and encounter God in the midst of everyday life. Through poetry inspired by nature, engaging storytelling, and vivid imagery rooted in Scripture, each book offers a fresh way to discover His presence—in a rushed morning routine, a peaceful hike, a whispered prayer, or the chatter of a mountain stream.

Whether you’re overwhelmed by busyness, longing for peace, or simply seeking a deeper sense of connection, the Divine Series becomes a spiritual sanctuary—your invitation to be present and rediscover the beauty of a life lived with God.

This series guides you back to the truth that you are never alone. God is here in the whisper of the wind, the warm glow of a sunset, or the solace of hike in the Redwoods.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2G2ZJSD

A Place to Pray

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1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT “Never stop praying.”

Isn’t this encouraging? God wants to hear from you! He knows we need Him. He understands that we struggle to give Him control and to trust Him with ourselves, especially those we love.

You are never too much, not enough, too loud, too quiet, too sensitive, too talkative, or too excitable. You are beautiful, worthy, enough, and He delights in you.

I hope you have a place to meet with Him. Somewhere that feels sacred, safe, and that just “fits” with how He made you.

For me, it’s in nature – soaking up His Presence in the woods, the wind, the beach, or a gorgeous mountain meadow. The timeless, ancient, mysteriousness of creation draws me to Him.

Where do you feel closest to God? He is patiently waiting there for you to just come and talk to Him.

He Listens

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Photo credit: Kate

The gentleness of God is so beautiful. Imagining God bending down, His face level with mine, listening intently to my prayers, His heavenly breath wrapping me up —so safe, so loved, so cherished.

Whatever you need from Him this morning, He is listening. He’s right here. Speak His name, whisper it if you need to. He hears you. He loves you.

Refuge

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Photo credit: Tom Fisk

I don’t know what you have on your plate today, but I do know that Jesus is right there with you.

He’s your stronghold, comforter, warrior, healer, provider, mender of broken hearts, and your best friend. He intimately knows every situation you are facing.

Just say His name. Ask for His presence and His help. He hears you. No need for long-winded, big-worded monologues. He’s with you and He’s already working things out, making things right, and putting people and things in their proper place.

If you can’t see it or feel it right now, that’s okay. I pray that hope and trust wrap you up tightly, speaking the exact words you need directly to your heart.

BOOK GIVEAWAY

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GIVEAWAY TIME!

Guess the number of gummy candies in the dish. Leave your guess in the comments on my FB author page ONLY.

Head over to my author page to see the pics!

https://www.facebook.com/MelissaGiomiauthor

The closest guess wins a signed book of your choice that I will mail to you.

Contest begins today, 4/8 – 4/11 8am PST.