Today, I am delighted to welcome my wise friend, Kimberly, to encourage us as we pray: Lord, empower me.

I love to check things off my to-do list. Sometimes, I add tasks to my to-do list that I have already done just so I can cross them off and feel accomplished, notable, and worthy.

My need to perform has served me well at work and, in particular social and ministry circles. People would say, “You get so much done.” or “How do you do it all?” It felt good to hear those things. However, I would often get to the end of a day and beat myself up for not getting more done. I would often be cranky and short with the people I love.

When the world shut down in March of 2020, I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. I had a legitimate excuse to do less, binge-watch TV and snuggle nonstop with my kids. But as the restrictions continued, I saw the goals I set for the year slip away, not just professionally but also in my personal and family life.

Unfortunately, as time went on, I watched our church fall apart due to scandal. An investment into my business didn’t pay off, my oldest daughter left for college, and my dad passed away unexpectedly. I could not DO anything to change what was happening around me. I felt crushed.

I became busy filling the void. I continued to check things off my to-do list, but it only gave me a false sense of security. From the outside, I looked productive, but I was having a full-blown identity crisis. I could barely pray.

“Does anything I do matter?”

“Is this work even worth doing?”

“God, do you still love me?”

I have a feeling you have experienced a season like this, too. Maybe yours, like mine, included a valley where loss left you feeling helpless. You’re experiencing loss of a loved one, loss of income, loss of friends that think differently than you, or loss of freedom. Maybe it’s a struggle in your marriage or a personal health crisis. You keep trying to DO more to change course, or at least make the pain go away.

I never truly connected to the book of Psalms until this past year and a half. Not only did I begin to relate to them, but I also embraced them. When I wasn’t able to pray, I was able to read.

Lord God, unlock my heart, unlock my lips, and I will overcome with my joyous praise! For the source of Your pleasure is not in my performance or the sacrifices I might offer to You. The fountain of Your pleasure is found in the sacrifice of my shattered heart before You. You will not despise my tenderness as I bow down humbly at Your feet.

Psalm 51:15-17, TPT  

Surrender your anxiety. Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all the nations, and I am exalted throughout the whole earth.

Psalm 46:10, TPT  

Then I will say to my soul, “Don’t be discouraged; don’t be disturbed, for I fully expect my Savior-God to break through for me. Then I’ll have plenty of reasons to praise Him all over again.” Yes, He is my saving grace!

Psalm 43:5, TPT

I’ve created a new spiritual discipline for myself. Each morning, I read one Psalm over and over again, 2-3 times. I don’t try to speed through it (so I can check it off my list), but instead I allow myself to sit in grief and ease my way into hope.

My mind began to be transformed. I remembered that my worth and value do not come from what I accomplish or perform. When I can not see God’s hand in my life, I trust that He is there guiding me and even others. I don’t have to strive.

Slowly I have moved from praying “Lord, save me!” to “Lord, empower me!” I’ve begun to pray big and “expect my Savior-God to breakthrough for me.”

We cannot control the season we are in, the loss we experience, or the transitions we inevitably will go through. However, we can choose to anchor our worth, value, and hope in God.

As I head into the New Year, I will continue to hold my to-do list, goals, and future with an open hand. As I do that, I will keep God and His Word in the mix, reading, meditating, and speaking His truth.

When we do this, the weight of self-sufficiency is removed. We can be kind to ourselves and flow in freedom and love towards others.

Let’s pray with expectation: Lord, empower me. 

Kimberly Amici is known for her creativity, strong faith, and commitment to living life with purpose and passion. She is an entrepreneur, designer, and podcast producer. She is the founder of Build Your Best Family which helps people live a life of purpose with the ones they love and become the family they were meant to be through podcasts, courses, and personal coaching. Kimberly writes at www.kimberlyamici.com. She lives with her husband Carl and their three teenagers in the NYC suburbs.

Connect with Kimberly: Instagram – Blog

Check out Build Your Best Family:

Facebook – Instagram – Podcast 

The Pray Big Sisterhood

Every morning, I wake up and lift my heart to God in prayer.

I praise Him for His glory and goodness.

I surrender my agenda and expectations to His greater kingdom purposes.

I yield my desires to do His will.

And, then I ask for Him to move a mountain.

I cry out to Him for that mountain to crumble.

I believe that God is bigger than any obstacle or stronghold.

Yet, my mountain remains — immovable and unyielding.

Do you have a mountain?  I bet you do.

Like me, you may be discouraged by the darkness that looms large in your view.

You aren’t alone. If we sat down today in my kitchen and shared our stories, I bet we would see similarities.

Together, we would ask God to move two mountains. We can whisper “Lord, empower me” for this day.

With worshipful hearts, let’s keep crying out to the Lord for those mountains to crumble.

Let’s pray big! Lord, empower me. 

You can pray each day, “Lord empower me” and expect Him to answer. To help you get started, I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Join the Wildfire Faith Community and  grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to strengthen your step and breathe fresh wind into your weary spirit.  

 If you are visiting from Kimberly’s today,

welcome to my little space on the web!

Here you will find fuel for a wildfire faith to help you

• • LOVE DEEP: Fervently extend God’s kindness and grace to pesky people.
  • PRAY BIG: Go down fighting on your knees with fire in your bones.
  • HOPE FULL: Stay tethered to a confident anticipation that keeps your heart ablaze.
  • STAND STRONG: Rest courageously on God’s promises with red-hot resolve.

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YOU’LL RECEIVE “4 SUREFIRE WAYS TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH” AS MY GIFT TO YOU.

YOU’LL ALSO GET ACCESS TO THE PRACTICAL RESOURCES IN OUR PRIVATE FAITH FUEL LIBRARY.

Challenge: 

BEGIN EACH DAY THIS WEEK BY PRAYING “LORD, Empower Me.” 

ARE YOU STUCK IN A SPIRITUAL RUT?

I CAN PARTNER WITH YOU TO HELP YOU SPARK A TRANSFORMATION IN YOUR LIFE.

CHECK OUT MY COACHING SERVICES TO DISCOVER STRATEGIES TO REKINDLE YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE.