Rachel Dodge's Blog, page 14
April 16, 2020
The Anne of Green Gables Devotional

I am thrilled to share some GOOD NEWS with you today! My new book The Anne of Green Gables Devotional: A Chapter-by-Chapter Companion for Kindred Spirits is on sale now!! You can preorder your copy today by clicking HERE.
This book has a devotional entry for every chapter of Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. You can read a chapter of Anne and then read the corresponding devotional entry, going through the book one blissful chapter at a time.
Thank you to the art department at Barbour Books for this beautiful design! And isn’t the artwork by Jana Christy just gorgeous? I also want to thank my amazing literary agent, Janet Grant, for working tirelessly to help make this dream a reality.
Devotional Inspiration Especially for Kindred Spirits
The Anne of Green Gables Devotional offers lovely inspiration that explores the theme of God’s love and faithfulness through the pages of the classic L. M. Montgomery novel, cherished by generations of readers. Each reading corresponds with a chapter from the book and invites you to embrace God’s redemptive plans for your life as His very own adopted daughter in Christ.
This beautiful 40-day devotional includes original artwork throughout, and each reading includes examples from the novel, scripture, life application, prayers, and discussion questions perfect for groups, book clubs, or personal reflection. It’s perfect as a personal read or gift for a bosom friend!
Will you please help me spread the word and share this with all your kindred spirit friends?
Grace and peace,
Rachel
“It’s a million times nicer to be Anne of Green Gables than Anne of nowhere in particular, isn’t it?” —Anne Shirley
[image error]
Barbour Books
Preorder your copy today!
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
Don’t miss any updates!
Click here to subscribe to my blog!
The post The Anne of Green Gables Devotional appeared first on Rachel Dodge.
April 13, 2020
Sheltering in Place, Mr. Woodhouse-style.

I created this meme and shared it on Facebook and Instagram on March 24, 2020, after the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown measures went into effect in California (and in most of the US). Since then, it’s gone a bit viral!
I’ll admit I was feeling a bit cramped when I made it. It gave me a laugh, as I went through the stills of the new Emma film to find just the image I was looking for: Mr. Woodhouse, surrounded by fireplace screens, quietly reading to himself. I thought all day about the perfect words to add. Then it hit me, as I sat in my house with the rain outside and nowhere to go: “Sheltering in Place . . . Mr. Woodhouse-style.”
I posted it to my Facebook and Instagram pages, along with the the Jane Austen Fan Club page on Facebook. The reaction was immediate! Over a 1,000 people responded to the original post, over 100 people shared it (and probably more), and hundreds of people commented on it. The image even ended up being the banner for an official JASNA communication email in April!
Why? Because we can all relate!
We are stuck inside, much to our chagrin, and we’re trying our best to channel our inner Mr. Woodhouse. We’re doing everything we can to keep calm and carry on.
Three lessons on lockdowns from Mr. Woodhouse:
For the introverts of the world, this lockdown is beautiful. (For the extroverts and ambiverts, it sometimes feels like we’re in a cage.) If you can’t find any personal space in your house to work or read (because you’re all on top of each other and no one is going to school or the office), fireplace screens and other similar items are a creative way to make your own little cubicle!This quarantine time is an excellent excuse to curl up with a few good books. We all need the escape, the intellectual stimulation, and the entertainment. Allow yourself time to be still and rest each day.
If you haven’t seen the new Emma movie yet, it’s worth a viewing during these tumultuous times. (Check out Common Sense Media’s review to see if you think it’s right for you and your kids.)
You can check out my reviews of the actors and the comments I received on Instagram or on Facebook. Many people delighted in Bill Nighy’s performance as Jane Austen’s fascinating Mr. Woodhouse! I personally think it’s worth watching just for Nighy’s Mr. Woodhouse and Miranda Hart’s Miss Bates.
What are you doing during your quarantine time?
As for me, I’m teaching my college students online, homeschooling my own children, and trying to find time to read and write “in the cracks” of my days and nights as much as I can! I know this is a trying time for many of us, so I hope this gave you a little chuckle.
Subscribe to follow along!
Click here to subscribe to my blog. You’ll receive a FREE set of Jane Austen prayers cards as a welcome gift!Books & Gifts: When you purchase a Praying with Jane book, you’ll get a FREE prayer journal to go with it. (Free Shipping on all orders.)
The post Sheltering in Place, Mr. Woodhouse-style. appeared first on Rachel Dodge.
April 11, 2020
Stony places.

On the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, I always think about the women. What must they have felt on that Jewish Sabbath day? I imagine the weeping . . . the grief . . . and the waiting.
On Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome took spices to anoint Jesus’ body. On the way, they wondered how they would get past the impossibly large stone blocking Jesus’ tomb.
Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
Mark 16:1-3 (NIV)
Scholars differ on how much the stone might have weighed, but the Bible makes it clear that it wasn’t something the three of them could move.
Can you relate? So many parts of life seem impossible. Family members struggle with chronic pain or continual illness. Friends harden their hearts and walk away from their faith, their families, and their responsibilities. Colleagues make bad business deals, get caught up in addiction, or gamble away their life savings. (Not to mention all the stony places in our own hearts and lives that require persistent tending and continual renewal.)
We all face stony hearts and rocky circumstances that appear immoveable. There are things we can’t fix. Mountains we can’t climb. Seas we can’t cross.
Who will roll the stone away?
The Easter story points to the One who is able to roll away the stones in our lives. “But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.” Mark 16:4 (NIV)
God moved the stone.
What is the stony place in your life? Perhaps it’s a difficult circumstance at work, a prodigal you love and pray for daily, or a health issue that won’t resolve. Let’s commit ourselves to daily prayer, asking God to roll away the immoveable stones in our own lives and in the lives of those we love. God is big enough and strong enough.
Stony ground becomes fertile soil.
The stone isn’t the Easter miracle — Jesus is. God doesn’t just remove blockades and soften hearts; he brings redemption and new life.
God didn’t move the stone so the women could anoint Jesus’ body. He moved it so the women could see that Jesus wasn’t in the tomb anymore. Jesus was alive. There was no body to embalm!
As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.“
Mark 16:5-6 (NIV)
If you’re in an impossible situation, take courage. God can turn the stony heart into a heart of flesh. He can bring a plentiful harvest. He can redeem the time and the years the locust ate.
Grace and peace,
Rachel
God can roll away the stone that won’t budge.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
Subscribe to follow along!
Click here to subscribe to my blog. You’ll receive a FREE set of Jane Austen prayers cards as a welcome gift!Books & Gifts: When you purchase a Praying with Jane book, you’ll get a FREE prayer journal to go with it. (Free Shipping on all orders.)
[image error]Order Now:
Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen
FREE Prayer Journal with Book Purchase
The post Stony places. appeared first on Rachel Dodge.
April 3, 2020
Book Review: Jesus in Me by Anne Graham Lotz

I’ve been listening to the audio book of Jesus in Me: Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion by Anne Graham Lotz. What an uplifting book! The audio book is read by Anne herself, which was an added bonus for me, as I’ve heard her speak in person several times. Jesus in Me is full of wonderful personal testimonies from Anne’s incredible life and biblical examples and explanations of the person and power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus in Me Book Description:
You may know something about God and something about Jesus, but what do you know about the Holy Spirit? Too often, we seem to overlook the third Person of the Trinity, perhaps because we don’t know much about Him. He seems mystical; reserved for super spiritual Christians. We might even say He intimidates us—or somehow seems optional.
In Jesus in Me: Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion, Anne Graham Lotz draws on her rich biblical knowledge as well as her personal story—including her recent cancer diagnosis—to help us understand that the Holy Spirit is not a magic genie, a flame of fire, a force, or a vague feeling.
[The Holy Spirit] is a Person who prays for us, guides us in our relationships and decisions, comforts us in pain, and stays by our side at all times. He is not an optional extra in the Christian life; He is a divine necessity. In this simple yet profound teaching, she explores seven key aspects of the Holy Spirit that will revolutionize how you understand and relate to this vital member of the Trinity.
Our Constant Companion
One of my deepest, richest joys has been discovering by experience who the Holy Spirit is in every step of my life’s journey. Each name that He has been given—Helper, Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener, and Standby—reveals another aspect of His beautiful character and has provoked in me a deep love for the One who is my constant Companion…Jesus in me.
—Anne Graham Lotz
The best part of this book for me was listening to all of the personal (and powerful) testimonies she shares. I think we all can get discouraged, lonely, or worn down by the trials and tribulations of this world (especially right now). Anne’s reminders helped lift me up and give me a passion for more specific, daily prayer in my life. In addition, she covers in depth the 7 names/characteristic of the Holy Spirit in a fresh new way. Her definitions gave me clarity and a new excitement about how the Holy Spirit works.
7 Names (Characteristics) of the Holy Spirit:
HelperComforterAdvocateIntercessorCounselorStrengthenerStandby
In each section, Anne describes the way the Holy Spirit works and gives examples that are easy to remember. I found myself praying very practically as I read. It gave me a new and expanded understanding of how the Holy Spirit moves and acts on my behalf.
I hope you’ll join me in reading this wonderful book! Jesus in Me is a finalist in the audio book category of the 2020 ECPA Christian Book Awards.
Read a sample and order the book here: JESUS IN ME.
Grace and peace,
Rachel
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.” (John 14:16)
Subscribe to follow along!
Click here to subscribe to my blog. You’ll receive a FREE set of Jane Austen prayers cards as a welcome gift!Books & Gifts: When you purchase a Praying with Jane book, you’ll get a FREE prayer journal to go with it. (Free Shipping on all orders.)
[image error]Order Now:
Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen
FREE Prayer Journal with Book Purchase
The post Book Review: Jesus in Me by Anne Graham Lotz appeared first on Rachel Dodge.
March 29, 2020
Day 7: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen

Welcome to Day 7 of 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen! If you’re following along in your book, today’s reading selection is taken from Chapter 29.
Below you’ll find excerpts from the chapter, plus my own additional reflections, the encouragement God has put on my heart to share with you today, a special prayer for you to pray, and a worship song.
Day 7 Reflection: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen
Look with compassion upon the afflicted of every condition, assuage the pangs of disease, comfort the broken in spirit.
Jane Austen, Prayers
In this portion of her prayer, Jane asks God to “look with compassion” on those who are “afflicted,” experiencing the “pangs of disease,” or who are “broken in spirit.” In Jane’s novels, when someone is ill or distressed, their friends and family provide tangible help and comfort. Jane and her sister Cassandra frequently nursed family members when they were ill.
“Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.” (Psalm 119:76)
The child of God is never alone. Jane’s prayer points to the unique care God gives to his people, to his tangible presence, and to the comfort he gives to those in pain.
“Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” (Psalm 119:49–50)
Invitation to Pray:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you that you present with me right now. Thank you that you hear me and know my every thought before I even say it. Thank you for your invitation to pray any time, any place, any where.
I confess that my spirit feels heavy or burdened at times. Please encourage my heart in these areas: (your specific prayer).
For those I love, please look down with compassion upon every affliction, soften the pangs of disease, and comfort those broken in spirit: (specific names and needs).
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
An Ever-Present Comfort
The Bible says this: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
God is always present with you. When you call on him, he draws near. Take a few moments to write down one verse from today’s reading that really ministered to your spirit. Carry it with you and share it with others.
If you know someone who needs to hear today’s encouragement, give them a call and read it together over the phone. Sometimes when we are sick, afflicted, or broken in spirit, we are too weak to feed ourselves spiritually. We need others to come around us and lift up our weary heads.
Grace and peace,
Rachel
Today’s Worship Song:
Today, there are two versions of this song. I had originally planned this song for today’s post, but then this compilation of Nashville studio singers released just this week. It is beautiful. Enjoy both versions!
Download the Prayer Guide
[image error] Get the PDF
Order the Book:
[image error] Order Now:
Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen
FREE Prayer Journal with Book Purchase
Click Here to Subscribe:
7 Daily Prayer Reflections
The post Day 7: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen appeared first on Rachel Dodge.
March 28, 2020
Day 6: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen (“For all whom we love & value”)

Welcome to Day 6 of 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen! If you’re following along in your book, today’s reading selection is taken from Chapter 19.
Below you’ll find excerpts from the chapter, plus my own additional reflections, the encouragement God has put on my heart to share with you today, a special prayer for you to pray, and a worship song.
Day 6 Reflection: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen
We are helpless and dependent; Graciously preserve us. For all whom we love & value, for every Friend and Connection, we equally pray; However divided and far asunder, we know that we are alike before Thee, & under thine Eye.
Jane Austen, Prayers
In this portion of her prayer, Jane prays for those whom she loves and values, for “every Friend and Connection,” and for those “divided and far asunder.”
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.” (Philippians 1:3–4)
Jane’s prayer echoes the Apostle Paul’s letters and reminds us to pray for those we love, both near and far. In them, he says he prays for the Romans “without ceasing” (1:9), for the Colossians “always” (1:3), and for the Thessalonians “constantly” (1 Thessalonians 1:2). He does “not cease to give thanks” (Ephesians 1:16) for the Ephesians and prays for Timothy “night and day” (2 Timothy 1:3).
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father . . . that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” (Ephesians 3:14, 16–17)
Invitation to Pray:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your steadfast love for me. I truly am helpless without you and dependent upon you. Graciously preserve me and those I love.
Lord, grant me patience and perseverance right now. Help me see any delays or troubles as gifts and opportunities. Show me how to serve you and love others in my new normal: (your specific requests).
I bring before you every friend and connection, those far and near, who are in need of an extra measure of your grace today: (specifics names and needs).
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Covered in Prayer
[image error]Regency Letter
“The visual of Regency letters is a lovely picture of thoroughly covering someone in prayer. First, we can pray for the “horizontal” life of those we love—for the things they do, the places they go, the work they do, and their safety, health, and influences. Next, we can turn our attention to the “vertical” part of their lives—praying for their relationship with God, their desire to please him, their interest and investment in spiritual growth, and their passion for his Word.” (Excerpt from Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen.)
If you have a specific prayer request, please share it below in the comments or email me. I love hearing from you!
Grace and peace,
Rachel
Today’s Worship Song:
Download the Prayer Guide
[image error] Get the PDF
Order the Book:
[image error] Order Now:
Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen
FREE Prayer Journal with Book Purchase
Click Here to Subscribe:
7 Daily Prayer Reflections
The post Day 6: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen (“For all whom we love & value”) appeared first on Rachel Dodge.
March 27, 2020
Day 5: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen

Welcome to Day 5 of 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen! If you’re following along in your book, today’s reading selection is taken from Chapter 18.
Below you’ll find excerpts from the chapter, plus my own additional reflections, the encouragement God has put on my heart to share with you today, a special prayer for you to pray, and a worship song.
Day 5 Reflection: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen
To Thy Goodness we commend ourselves this night beseeching thy protection of us through its darkness & dangers.
Jane Austen, Prayers
This line of Jane’s prayers reminds us to “commend” ourselves to God and “beseech” his physical and spiritual protection in our lives and in the lives of those we love.
The Bible is filled with verses to help us battle fear because God knows that when the darkness comes, either literally or figuratively, it can easily press in and overwhelm us. He invites us to know him and trust him. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
“When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.” (Psalm 91:15)
Most of us struggle with fear in some way or at certain times in our lives, but it’s especially prevalent during times of crisis. We worry about ourselves, our family members, our children, and our friends. God addresses these fears throughout the Bible and reminds us to come to him in our darkest moments to ask for his strength and his help.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Invitation to Pray:
Almighty God,
Thank you for promising to strengthen me and help me in times of distress and chaos. I confess to you my worries and anxieties.
I ask you now, Lord, to speak into my life and heart about the things that are concerning me most today: [specific names].
I lift to you now the people I know who especially need your protection: [specific names].
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Call on His Name
If you feel anxious today, remember to call on the name of Jesus right away. Take every thought captive and cast your cares on Him.
If you aren’t struggling with specific fears or doubts today, you probably know someone who is. Many people are in need of assurance right now. Take time to pray for each person by name.
Grace and peace,
Rachel
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.” (Psalm 143:8)
Today’s Worship Song:
Download the Prayer Guide
[image error] Get the PDF
Order the Book:
[image error] Order Now:
Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen
FREE Prayer Journal with Book Purchase
Click Here to Subscribe:
7 Daily Prayer Reflections
The post Day 5: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen appeared first on Rachel Dodge.
March 26, 2020
Day 4: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen

Welcome to Day 4 of 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen! If you’re following along in your book, today’s reading selection is taken from Chapter 17.
Below you’ll find excerpts from the chapter, plus my own additional reflections, the encouragement God has put on my heart to share with you today, a special prayer for you to pray, and a worship song.
Day 4 Reflection: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen
Have Mercy Oh Gracious Father! upon all that are now suffering from whatsoever cause, that are in any circumstance of danger or distress. Give them patience under every affliction, strengthen, comfort & relieve them.
Jane Austen, Prayers
This portion of Jane’s prayer is a prayer of intercession. In it, Jane prays on behalf of “all” that are suffering or are “in any circumstance of danger or distress.” Her words reflect her confidence in God’s ability to strengthen us during times of pain and trial, comfort us in our seasons of deepest need, provide us with his tangible help and presence in life’s hardest moments, and give us “patience under every affliction.”
“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” (Psalm 3:3)
Jane’s prayer for “patience under every affliction” and for strength, comfort, and relief in distress is based in biblical truth: The Bible says God “gives power to the faint” (Isaiah 40:29), he is the “God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3), and he gives us “relief from [our] suffering” (Isaiah 14:3 NIV). In this broken world, we face illness, danger, and grief, but in everything, God is with us. When trouble comes, we can pray for God’s favor to descend, for his presence to come, and for his love to pour out.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4)
Invitation to Pray:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you, God, that you are an ever-present help in my times of need. Thank you that you are my daily strength, comfort, and relief.
I now lift up to you the things that are distressing in my personal life: [your specific needs].
I also lift up to you the people I know who are suffering or experiencing deep trials or sickness: [specific names].
Please show me who I can reach out to today with a phone call, a Bible verse, and a time of prayer.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
God of All Comfort
Today’s prayers and passages are extremely comforting. Take time to meditate on each Scripture verse. Try writing them out, saying them out loud, or writing one on a card to post somewhere in your house where you will see it throughout the day.
Please consider sharing these prayers, reflections, and verses with others. So many people feel isolated and/or fearful right now. As I joined my church small group on Zoom yesterday evening, my eyes filled with unexpected tears. I didn’t realize how much I needed to see their faces and hear their voices. I miss my church family SO much. Email and texting is wonderful, but hearing a friend’s voice is incredible. Make time to call someone today.
Grace and peace,
Rachel
Today’s Worship Song:
Download the Prayer Guide
[image error] Get the PDF
Order the Book:
[image error] Order Now:
Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen
FREE Prayer Journal with Book Purchase
Click Here to Subscribe:
7 Daily Prayer Reflections
The post Day 4: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen appeared first on Rachel Dodge.
March 25, 2020
Day 3: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen

Welcome to Day 3 of 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen! If you’re following along in your book, today’s reading selection is taken from Chapter 11.
Below you’ll find excerpts from the chapter, plus my own additional reflections, the encouragement God has put on my heart to share with you today, a special prayer for you to pray, and a worship song.
Day 3 Reflection: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen
Almighty God! Look down with Mercy on thy Servants here assembled & accept the petitions now offered up unto thee.
Jane Austen, Prayers
In this opening line of her second prayer, Jane asks God to “look down with mercy” and favor as she and her family gather to pray. Her words and tone convey a strong belief in a loving, personal God who “sits above the circle of the earth” (Isaiah 40:22) and yet is close at hand.
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.” (1 Peter 3:12)
When we pray, God sees us and hears us. The world is not so big,
nor the people in it so numerous, that he does not know each one of us
personally. He not only calls us by name (Isaiah 43:1), he knows the number of
hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7).
This is the wonder of God the Father: While he watches over all of creation, he simultaneously cares for each of us personally. When we “draw near to God,” he draws near to us (James 4:8). When we call on God, he hears, he works, he moves. He “look[s] down with Mercy” when we come to him in prayer.
“But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!” (Psalm 66:19–20)
Invitation to Pray:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You hear me when I pray. Thank You for Your attentiveness to my prayers. I bring before You all of today’s burdens and worries. I lay them at Your feet, one by one.
Lord, please grant me Your mercy today in the areas that are the most difficult for me to understand or bear: [your specific prayer].
Please accept my prayers and petitions as I bring before You my friends and family members who need a reminder of Your love today: [specific names].
Thank You that you’ve promised You will never reject my prayer or remove Your love from me!
In Jesus’ powerful name, Amen.
God Hears You
When you pray, you can be sure that God hears you. The Bible tells us this: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8).
Many people are in need of extra prayer right now. Some people are scared about the health crisis and how it will affect their health or the health of a loved one. Others are worried about their finances and job security. Still others are prone to anxiety or depression, especially during stressful or isolating circumstances.
If you sense the Lord stirring your heart, reach out to someone today and offer to pray with him/her. Ask God to show you who it is. Chances are, someone will come to mind right away!
Grace and peace,
Rachel
Today’s Worship Song:
Download the Prayer Guide
[image error] Get the PDF
Order the Book:
[image error] Order Now:
Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen
FREE Prayer Journal with Book Purchase
Click Here to Subscribe:
7 Daily Prayer Reflections
The post Day 3: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen appeared first on Rachel Dodge.
March 24, 2020
Day 2: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen

Welcome to Day 2 of 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen! If you’re following along in your book, today’s reading selection is taken from Chapter 8. Below you’ll find excerpts from the chapter, plus my own additional reflections, the encouragement God has put on my heart to share with you today, a special prayer for you to pray, and a worship song.
Today’s portion of Jane Austen’s prayers is incredibly timely. This is a prayer we can pray when we need to ask God for his help, provision, and protection. It’s a prayer we can pray for ourselves and for “all we love.” It’s a prayer for the sick and afflicted.
Oh, Lord, be with us as we pray today!
Day 2 Reflection: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen
Be Gracious to our Necessities, and guard us, and all we love, from Evil this night. May the sick and afflicted, be now, & ever thy care . . .
Jane Austen, Prayer 1
In this portion of her first prayer, Jane asks God to “be Gracious” toward their needs and “guard” them during the night. She also asks God to care for and watch over the “sick and afflicted.” She asks God to be with them in the difficulties and trials of life.
Jane’s prayer echoes God’s promise to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). In fact, Isaiah 49:16 says he has “engraved” the names of his people “on the palms of [his] hands.” (Can you picture your name written on the palms of his hands?)
Being with God in our troubles—and knowing that he is with us in them—is one of the many benefits of an intimate relationship with Christ. The very name Immanuel means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Are you feeling anxious or alone right now? Or do you know of people who are currently sick or experiencing loneliness? Take this time to lift specific friends, family members, and coworkers up in prayer. And though we can’t perhaps visit in person during a health crisis like we are experiencing right now, we can each make a phone call, write a card, or send a text.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Invitation to Pray:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You are always with me. Thank You for being my Emmanuel–for being with me in every season, in every trial, in the midst of trouble. I bring before You all that’s on my mind and heart today. I confess that I am worried at times for myself, my family, and my friends.
Lord, please be gracious to me and all my necessities, my needs, my cares. I life to you now my immediate needs: [your specific prayer].
I ask you to please guard me and all I love today. May we each experience your presence in a tangible way and know the comfort of your peace. May the sick and afflicted, be in your special care, Oh Lord: [specifics names].
In Jesus’ powerful name, Amen.
If this prayer prompt helped you today, please consider sharing it with someone who might need God’s encouragement today!
Grace and peace,
Rachel
Today’s Worship Song:
Download the Prayer Guide
[image error] Get the PDF
Order the Book:
[image error] Order Now:
Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen
FREE Prayer Journal with Book Purchase
Click Here to Subscribe:
7 Daily Prayer Reflections
The post Day 2: 7 Days of Prayer with Jane Austen appeared first on Rachel Dodge.