Encouraging Scripture - I need YOUR help!

I have a friend that attends our woman's bible study who is really struggling with joy, hope and peace.

Today when we were reading Romans, coveting was mentioned in chapter 7 and she asked "Is it wrong to covet anything?". We asked her watch she meant and tears started coming down her face as she pointed at me and said, "I look at her every week and I see peace just gleaming from her and I covet that."

It was heart wrenching. I went over and sat next to this beautiful woman and we prayed for peace, hope and joy. She shared with me that she struggles with regret. Regret for the things she has done and regret for the things she has not done. She also struggles with anger and feels like it is always inside of her. She so longs for peace and to be free from her anger and her regret.

She lives in the Bridge, and said, "I know people call this a homeless shelter, but for me, its home."

None of us know a home like that and we have been blessed beyond measure. We cannot relate to this woman who is struggling to come to peace with where she is and how she has gotten there.

Would you pray for Rachel AND would you help me out by giving me some ideas of encouraging verses for her. I have some in mind, but I want to hear from you guys (whoever is still out there reading this) what verses encourage you when you feel that you have no peace, no joy or when you feel constantly reminded of your past sin. This week I want to make Rachel some cards with scripture and words of encouragement. I think it would be awesome if I could make her cards from people who are praying for her or who want to share scripture with her. Maybe, if you guys want to commit to praying for her, you could find a verse that relates to what Rachel is going through and also include a short note of encouragement.

If there are no takers for the note writing bit, no big deal, but even just giving me some of the verses that lift you up when you find yourself down would be amazing.

Love you guys and sorry its been so long since I've update. Work has been a challenge and blogging has been relegated to the bench for a bit.

Summer Time

I don't care what people say about "almost summer". It's summer when it starts consistently hitting 90+ degrees every day.

With that, I have a couple of prayer requests:

- I haven't been feeling very well lately and, as is typical for any illness I have, it takes a long time for me to get over. I'm getting better about not getting defeated, but I know that I could be better about letting go of how my body feels. Currently, the lymph nodes in my throat are swollen and they often ache throughout the day (making me really tired)...so pray for healing and patience...and that I would stop feeling sorry for myself.

- I've been asked to lead a woman's bible study at church. Pray for this decision and mostly pray that I would get the will power to dedicate some serious prayer to it...I need to stop being lazy and heed the advice in the quote below:
"But the things that we feel most deeply we ought to learn to be silent about, at least until we have talked them over thoroughly with God." - Elisabeth Elliot

- I also need prayer that I would let go of the need to feel "okay" and under control with my relationship with God. I want to embrace His grace and truely have it be enough...and to still know that I am loved, even when I wrap myself up in myself...Also just pray that I would choose to give myself fully to the Lord, not because it makes me feel under control, but because He loved me first.

- One of the ladies at the OurCalling bible study relapsed into drugs and prostitution and is back on the streets. I know that God is bigger than this. I know He can heal her. I know He loves her so much. I'm clinging to that truth despite the situation. She's one of the faithful ones that comes every Sunday and is engaged in our study...Please pray for her and that God's will would be done in her life.

Love you all.