banana-haters have feelings too

well, here we are. a few hours and counting til coffeehouse. i think i'm psyching myself out, cuz i'm actually nervous! i usually don't get that nervous when eLLe performs. i guess last year i was kind of nervous after our bad rehearsal. but i think once we get together and pray, God will help us get through it. it sucks that the weather is so bad. blehh... makes things kind of dreary. but no matter, i really feel like God's going to do great things tonight! praying about it at core was really helpful for me, to just get my mindset focused back on God. i think praying in general was helpful for me. like, here i was, all wallowing in my own self-pity. feeling alone and like no one else had problems. how wrong i am! we all carry baggage, we're all burdened and weighed down by various things. God is working through all of us, in our struggles and weaknesses. it was comforting as well as eye-opening to pray for all of my core friends. it's always humbling to see how God is just using them all mightily. makes me feel like i'm not trying hard enough, or doing my part. i'm reminded constantly of the people out there that are lost, that don't have the answer like i do. it's convicting and challenging, yet i know that i will continue to struggle. but praise God, He promises to never leave us.

Lord, grant me the burden and passion for your people, for those who are lost and without hope. Lord, may tonight be a reflection of our love for You and our desire to bring people to know You. We can't do it without You, God. We're weak, we carry baggage, we are in desperate need of Your grace. Praise You, Lord, that Your mercies are new every morning. Thank You for loving us like You do. We don't deserve it. God I justa sk that you would be with eLLe as we sing, as we focus on the words and point people to You. Lord, may our attitudes and voices really shine Your light to the people ni the audience. God, maywe forget about all the other things going on in our hearts, and truly be worshpiping You and carrying out Your work. so often, Lord, we take for granted these opportunities, we don't see them as opportunities but obstacles. so Lord, gifve us peace of mind and unity as we sing. It's all about You, God. may YOu increase as we decrease, and may people be touched by the words we sing, may the words come from You and be pleasing and glorifying to You. We give You praise in advance for the work you will do tonight and from now on, we know you are powerful and sovereign, and we lift up this whole thing to You, just asking for your blessing and your grace. God, may these words not be lip service but truly be from my heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

posted by Laura @ 3:50 PM