Another Prayer for Focus, Purpose, and Clarity

Lord, I keep trying this, doing that. What do YOU want me to do? Really, truly.

I keep running ahead and I stop listening to You. I leave You in the dust of my excitement for my latest fancy or whim. I’m tired of short-lived stuff. I keep saying I really do want to do Your will alone. Help me to actually live it.

Lord, forgive me for doing the things I mentioned above. I realize I keep getting sidetracked and busy. These are my two thorns I need to battle against so I can focus on a life focused on You and Your Word alone.

Lord, guide me. What DO You want me to do and how do You want me to be? I realize it’s important to do and be—not just one or the other, but both simultaneously. This is the well-balanced life.

What is Your purpose for me in this moment? I keep trying to ask to see the overall purpose. This is wrong. My purposes can change moment by moment, when and if I am open to You. So, help me live moment by moment in Your purpose.

That being said, though, I know there are some long-term purposes. Help give me clarity and let me know what they are in my life, which is really a life for You. It’s Yours.

What do You want me to do? How do You want me to be with You? I ask You both of these questions for this moment and every moment today and tomorrow.

Guide me, Abba. Help me hear You and to respond immediately and accordingly.

To You be all the glory.

I love You so.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2010-2014.)

Focus and Purpose Prayer

Focus and Purpose Prayer

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for the morning and quiet time to spend with You. I so thoroughly need it.

Help me REALLY make today Your day and not give it lip service. Help me mean it all day long, moment by moment, not just right now as I say it (hence, the lip service). After all, today is the Lord's Day. It is not mine, Abba. Help me not to live as though it were.

I pray these verses to You, Lord.

Psalm 19:12-14 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

12 Who perceives his unintentional sins?

Cleanse me from my hidden faults.

13 Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins;

do not let them rule over me.

Then I will be innocent

and cleansed from blatant rebellion.

14 May the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable to You,

Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.  

-- HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Lord, let everything I think, say, plan, and do be of You and Your Word alone. Holy Spirit, please help me hear Your promptings when I am getting off-track and help me to respond immediately. All I want to do is live for the purpose and glory of God. Help me to do so--today, moment by moment, and every day hereafter.

I also pray these:

Psalm 139:1-4 / New American Standard Bible (NASB)

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

139 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

You understand my thought from afar.

3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down,

And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.

4 Even before there is a word on my tongue,

Behold, O Lord, You know it all.

-- NASB: Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Lord, what sweet verses to remind me of Your goodness, love, and care. You are here with me and in me. You are always present and are all-seeing, all-knowing. I am never, ever alone. Oh, Lord, how sweet and wonderful You are.

I also pray these:

From "Believing God" by Beth Moore

Week 1 Memory Verse: Hebrews 11:6 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

6

Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.

Lord, help my unbelief and teach me to believe.

Week 2 Memory Verse: Hebrews 11:3 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

3

By faith we understand that the universe was created by God’s command, so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible.

Faith. Belief. Help me draw forever nearer to You and your Word. Help me make Your Word part of my life every moment.

Abba, You are so good to me--and have been all the days of my life, and will be.

Thank You for the enormous blessing of You.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2010-2014.)

My Storykeeper Odyssey, Vol 1: An Introduction

As you know, I’ve dedicated 2013 to writing all of my memories and my life story. I want to get all of my memories down on the page. I want to leave my trace on this world. I want my life to be remembered—as a life dedicated to journaling—and encouraging others to do the same. It is important to me.

I have decided to start over with the writing of my memoir. Earlier this week I made this decision and I am glad to have made it because it’s already taken on a life of its own. The title of my memoir is:

THE STORYKEEPER ODYSSEY, VOL. 1

It’s my story about my writing and journalkeeping.

I have lived—and God has me here, at this time, for a purpose. It is my life story and is my life’s purpose. God wants me to journal first, teach others to journal second, and write my life story third. Every day has a reason and an opportunity for me to live my God-given destiny. I can live a life fulfilled or one that is not. This is the how I will bring God maximum glory (and I will bear much fruit).

I will share some of the memoir here on this blog. But, some is far too personal, so I am going to share it in book format in its unedited, rough draft version at my store on Smashwords. So, check it out next week.

WHY SHOULD YOU READ MY MEMOIR?

Do you like to hear other people’s stories?

Do you want to get the most from and your of your life story?

Have you ever had a dream?

Do you want to know and live your life’s purpose—your big dream?

Have you had obstacles get in the way of you living your big dream and your life’s purpose?

Do you journal?

Do you want to write a book?

If you answered “yes” to any of the previous questions, this memoir, blog post series, and book are for you.

WHAT IS MY MEMOIR ABOUT EXACTLY?

It’s my journaling about my life as a writer and as a journalkeeper. It’s the story of my odyssey as I journal and write, and all of the obstacles that have tried to hinder me from doing either. It’s my story of how I’ve overcome. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

There is a reason: A Journaling exercise or prompt

You are alive, and on this earth, for a reason. There is a purpose you are here, where you are, at this time, and the reason is very unique to you. It is what makes you who you are.

The question is: Are you living your life's purpose?

And, do you know your life's purpose? 

How are you living your life's purpose?

What does it mean to you?

How does it shape your priorities?

How does it shape how you live?

How do you live your life's purpose every day--all day long? 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013