September 2021 Vol. 14 terriprahl.com
Have you ever found yourself staring off in thought, impervious to the voices and activity around you? You were lost in another world until someone raised their voice or tapped you on the shoulder, snapping you back to reality? Perhaps you missed something in those moments that you wish you hadn't---a point in time impossible to recapture.

Sometimes I am staring so intently on the end goal---where I long to be---that I miss what the journey is for. I miss what God is working out in these present moments. Oh, how I have missed the connections, community, and change He desires for me as I wander off to a place not yet traveled.

The Christian life is full of this tension---we are to be heavenly-minded while earthly-bound. Christ tells us to seek His kingdom even as we walk through enemy territory and foreign lands. His grace sustains us with hope for a future promise as well as strength for today. There's no balancing it, merely embracing both truths.

So, instead of miserably pining away for Heaven, checking out until the end, God asks us to keep pressing on by pressing into who He is. There are so many beautiful things to behold even now.

This is why it's called a 'walk' with God. It's why Jesus is called our daily Bread. We need Him to make sense of this pull we feel for more. We need Him to be satisfied in what is and expectant of what's to come.

We don't always enjoy the journey, do we? Many times we are so excited about a new adventure but then when it's over, we are so tired and miss the journey home as well. The truth is that our lives are more sojourning than arrival. In spiritual terms, our lives are always in transition as we move closer to our eternal inheritance in Christ. We are being transformed day by day.

I always think of the journey that Jesus took to fulfill the Father's plan of redemption. He came to earth, walked among mankind, endured all of the everyday annoyances we experience, began a brief but powerful ministry, and then suffered tremendously on our behalf. His joyful place with the Father has been restored as He intercedes for us now. What if He had chosen to skip the journey? What grace would have been forfeited? How desperate we would be.

I have been thinking over these things as I am launching my first self-published book into the world. Writing a book seemed like the end goal, but God has increased my vision for what this writing life will be. God's definition of success is becoming clearer with every word I type and share. Until He comes, there is always work to do. Taking breaks from work is healthy, but our journey with God never stops---or at least I pray I never grow stale, stunted in my growth. I want to experience the moving of one glory to another and be shaped into His likeness.

I am still plugging away at my original book manuscript on the tensions of the Christian life, but I felt God directing me to compile a book about praying through Scripture and the power of praying God's words over our lives. It turned into a long but fun collaborative project with my husband, and it is filled with both words of encouragement, truth, and challenge as well as full-color photos. I am anxiously awaiting my printed proof to arrive before sharing the Amazon link with you all---paper supply problems are slowing it down.

I would love to have some of my friends and readers help me out by sharing my posts, buyinga copy if possible, and leaving an Amazon review to help me as a first-time author! Without simple reviews on what you like about the book, it's hard to get seen on Amazon.

Check out the cover and a couple of sample pages below (image may be blurry on some devices due to resizing)! It's an 8.5" x 11" magazine-style book, and I am praying that it encourages all who read it. As soon as Amazon gets all the kinks worked out, I will post how to buy either a paperback or ebook version. Hopefully, it will be this next week!

More emails to come. :) Happy Saturday, friends!

In Christ,
-Terri Prahl
Prayer Book Cover
Prayer Book68
Prayer Book69
Hello and Welcome
6 Benefits of prayer

Encouraging Read:

Dancingonmyashes
A friend from church loaned this book to me by a local author who lives in Ozark, MO. The story of loss and redemption is hard and beautiful, and I know you will be encouraged by the true story of these two sisters that made headlines.

New Music:

LydiaLaird_EP_cvr-hi
Click the link to listen to this beautiful song by Lydia Laird. A few of the lyrics..."my broken pieces can fall right into grace...You're not looking for perfection...I already have Your affection." So encouraging, friends. He loves us!

Book Collaboration

If you would like to purchase a discounted or signed copy of Life, Repurposed: Stories of Grace, Hope, and Restored Faith, click the link.

Encouraging Podcast Episode:

Hey, Girl Podcast
I was very encouraged after listening to this interview between Bethany Needham and Katy McCown on the Hey, Girl podcast. We haven't all lost children, but we have all/will all experience deep loss in this life. The lessons apply to all. Great listen!

Moments of Grace:

  • Health and safety for my family after traveling.
  • Finished my prayer book and learned so many new things about publishing.
  • Friends supporting my work!
  • Reading God's word and knowing He is speaking to me. Amazing.
  • Breaks in the cold weather for outdoor walks!
  • You! I appreciate you all so much and hope this ministry blesses you.
Prayer Book Ebook graphic
Click here to see all of the free resources created for you to think on and grow in the knowledge of God through Scripture and prayer!

What's New on the Blog:

Encouraging Good Work in the World:

  • Christine Caine's A21 ministry helps girls/women escape human trafficking and find healing through Christ. You can donate here!
  • Help Afghan refugees by donating needed household supplies through High Street Baptist Church (Springfield, MO). For those not local, monetary donations can be made. Contact lwilson@highstreet.org to help. Here is a list of needed donations:
Afghan refugee donations

Links to Good Resources:

If you missed any previous newsletters and want to check them out, you can go to the member archive and view past issues. If you find anything here that you think would encourage someone else, please consider sharing and inviting them to subscribe. If you read an article on the blog you want to share, just click the social media icons on the right-hand corner! This is a great way to support me and hopefully help others!
resources
A final note of encouragement:

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
Romans 15:4

If you need prayer, please send me a message, and I will be more than happy to intercede on your behalf.
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