Micah 7:20 - Secret Files

Step 1: Pray. Select.

As I approached my prayer practice this morning, I felt desperate for God’s restoration after some challenges I had recently faced. There are just some mornings when you feel unsure of what exactly to pray for. So, I began looking to God to guide me to his light.

I came across Micah 7 and ended up on verse 20.

Let's begin our journey here, friends.

Step 2: Write. Read. Circle

Micah 7:20 - You will give truth to Jacob And mercy to Abraham, which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old.

After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:

• Give Truth

• And Mercy

• From The Days Of Old

Step 3: Re-Write

With a focus on the words that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive. Don't forget, if you are doing this alongside me today, to add your name to your unique sentence:

• Jennifer, give truth and mercy from the days of old.

Step 4: Visualize

I sit here meditating on the sentence. I visualize myself standing in a grey room with concrete walls. It is dark and devoid of any color or character. The only things inside the room are a large wooden desk and a chair. One desk lamp shines downward onto the top of the desk surface, where two files lie.

I know these files were left here for me. I don’t know who set them there or how they got there, but this was staged and set up for me to sit down and see what is inside them.

As I look at the folder's exterior tabs, one is labeled “Mercy” and the other “Truth.” I better sit down since I am destined to open these top-secret files, and curiosity will eventually get the best of me.

I pull up a chair to a large desk and sit down before opening the files. I am hesitant to read what is inside. Once I open the file and read through the documents and their fine print, I can never go back or unlearn what I read.

I pause and think for a moment, “Is it easier to just keep the file closed?” Because inside, it might lead to more responsibility, accountability, and action on my part. But it is not an accident that I am here, at this moment in time and in this space.

I take a deep breath, settle in, and brace myself to open the first file labeled “Mercy.”

As I peel back the cover to reveal what is inside, I see what appears to be the only color in the room: a bright yellow square sticky note with a few words in all caps. The note says, “I GOT THIS!!!”

I sit back and laugh out loud. Of course! He’s got this! All this buildup and anticipation for what?! God has a great sense of humor, by the way.

But I quickly remembered there was one more folder to look inside. So I opened it, and there it was again—another bright yellow sticky note confirming, “I GOT THIS!!!”

I laugh even harder, and a huge weight is lifted off me.

Friends, God knows exactly what we need in any state. Today, this showed me how in tune he is with my need for daily bread and the clarity and strength through laughter to relieve me of a heavy heart.

Let this be a huge lesson that God always has stored inside the files of life exactly what we can handle for the day.

I had a question for the Holy Spirit, so I moved to Step 5.

Step 5: Ask. Seek

The question that came to mind is:

• Holy Spirit, today, I need to tell satan to get behind me like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. How do I take back my voice and authority claim against him and walk freely in faith?

Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive

Here is the answer I received:

"Let my words speak through you. In remembrance of our time yesterday, fight fire with fire. Fear and faith cannot exist in the same place. Do not be afraid. Choose faith. Give everything to your Father. He is working everything on your behalf and for His good.”

Step 7: Pray. Confirm

Heavenly Father, I come to you through your son Jesus.

I ask for your laughter and joy to fill me back up today. I ask that you take over all things, sweeping away my cares like a mighty rushing wind since you have clearly confirmed—YOU GOT THIS!!!

Thank you for being the color in my grey room so I can differentiate the light from the dark. I appreciate you being exactly what I need at any moment in my life. Please help me continue to walk in faith and tell fear to get behind me where it belongs.

I seal this prayer with the precious blood of Jesus - Amen!

If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.

Step 8: Share. Testify

If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.

Remember to spread hope and share your miracle or testimony HERE. We want to see how God is working in your life!

Conclusion:

Friends, let’s have a good laugh today and be filled with joy knowing God is doing the heavy lifting in our lives.

I pray for anyone who reads this today; he provides light and color in the darkest places.

Come to him; he is always there, working on our behalf and changing things for His good.

Sending out lots of love and laughter today! See you soon.