Walking Forward with Courage - Your Nightly Prayer - April 29th

Walking Forward with Courage
Your Nightly Prayer
by Amanda Idleman 

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid.” - Joshua 1:9

SOMETHING TO PONDER 

God’s presence empowers brave steps into what’s next. A little over a year ago, we got a call that radically changed our stories. Our local DSS notified us that our adoptive daughter's mother gave birth to a little girl who was in the NICU, and they anticipated needing a foster family to care for her. Our initial reaction was fear. Our home already felt full. Full of love, needs, and busyness. It was hard to imagine how our family could expand again, accepting a sixth child with complex medical needs. But God, right?!. He gently led us forward towards a big scary ‘yes’ to this struggling baby girl, towards many other scary ‘yeses’ as we walked her through life-threatening infection, developmental delays, brain surgeries, the uncertainty of foster care, and eventually towards the choice to accept her as our forever child. Ultimately, as a parent, all the work ahead is just a future filled with many more scary yes moments. 

The beautiful thing about these pivotal, faith-empowered moments that enter our stories is that God gives us supernatural courage and peace. While we lived so scared, we knew God was with us. We saw God perform miracles. He expanded our hearts to love this child, whom he passionately brought into our lives. He was with us every step of the scary way, just as he was with the Israelites, so long ago when Joshua wrote these words of faith and encouragement. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He shows us his way and guides our path towards his love and faithfulness. He provides for the journey he calls us towards, but he doesn’t promise that it will be easy. He just tells us to trust Him and be strong and courageous! 

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER 

Father,
I thank you that you are faithful to guide me, to show me your ways, and lead me towards your goodness and mercy. Strengthen me as we follow the guidance of your Holy Spirit. Encourage my heart and offer me the bravery we need to do hard things for your glory. Remind me that we are never alone in my pursuits. As I strive to bring Heaven down, you make a way for me. Your peace and presence go before me. I need you more than anything if I am to be a part of a God-sized story!
Amen. 

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. How has God led you through scary seasons? Remember his faithfulness.
2. What part of your story are you most anxious about? Pray specifically over these worries.
3. What does strength and courage look like in your situation? How can you begin to make brave choices in this season? 

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Jude Beck

Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is encouraging others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for Your Nightly Prayer, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, Your Daily Prayer, and more. She has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com, Biblestudytools.com, and Christianity.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas, alongside her husband’s companion devotional, Shepherd. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.

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