Have you ever wondered if God really hears your prayers?
Like the way He heard Grandma and Mama's prayers? I think a part of us has always wondered what that would be like. Then, when we come to a certain age in Christ—not just in life—we find that the same God who knew them, now knows us. All it took was a surrendered heart and an intentional relationship!

In my cringing teens and ratchet twenties, I knew of God, but it was on an as-needed basis. If I found myself in a sticky situation, I prayed that God would get me home safely… He did. When I got caught up in the streets and asked God to forgive me and bring me out of the mess I created… He did.

I believed God enough in trouble, but I didn’t trust Him enough with my whole heart.
I didn’t want to give Him the grief that tormented me for over twenty years after losing my mom. I didn’t want to give Him the suicidal thoughts I battled with, nor did I thank Him for the failed attempts. I didn’t hand over the rejection, abandonment, fear, trauma, and doubt that plagued me.

A part of me was comfortable with the identity attached to my brokenness. I didn’t think I deserved God’s love, so I mismanaged my emotions, relationships, buried the traumas, and overworked myself to deal with the internal turmoil. But how long can you keep a lid on a pot until it boils over?

Stress breeds sickness and ailments, but God’s grace restores and heals. 
I think I was so afraid of God's discipline that I stood in the way of being delivered by Him. 

It took Him shutting down my world so I could sit down and just be with Him—no distractions, no influences, nobody, just me and Him. And if I’m being honest, that’s when the real healing began. Yes, I went to therapy, and yes, I went to church, but I was only going through the motions.

So I challenge you: Stop and surrender before God has to stop you and watch what He does in you and through you!

I know what it’s like
to be caught up in religious acts
And still be far from God.
I know what it’s like
to want to be in control,
Think I can say I love God
yet still love the things of this world.

Runnin’ around broken,
Bleeding on who I’m supposed to bless,
Masking the pain I feel inside,
Thinking God don’t want this mess.

Till He called me out from amongst them,
From salvation to sanctification,
I started a journey,
Now the anointing is flagrant.
This faith sense don’t make sense,
Can’t run away from the demons—
the Word of God can slay them.

I been through enough,
I suffered, I survived.
Now it’s time to live.
You think you lived life,
But the darkness
was never right,
Wondering why you gotta fight
When you’re called to be the light.

The problem is you never answered,
Surrender to the King
So He can give you the answers.
The Word is manual,
These testimonials are the pamphlet.
The enemy wants to beat you
With condemnation,
So in shame, you go ghost like a phantom,
When you gotta get delivered.
These strongholds ain’t random—
The enemy got your soul for ransom.

I never wanted a platform
Or to be the main attraction,
But when you’re called,
You better be obedient in actions.
Spilling my struggles like it’s tea
To set every listener free—
Who am I to stay silent
After all the things God has done for me?

The enemy’s been after me
Since the time I was born.
He wanted to snatch my destiny,
But I repented, now I’m transformed.

It’s best to obey than to sacrifice,
It’s best you surrender today
Than to push it back another time.
These days ain’t promised,
And they getting shorter.
Praying for God's mercy—
It’s about to be a slaughter.

Narrow is the gate,
Difficult is the way,
But I thank God I found that path
Before judgment day.

Now every day I choose life
Over destruction.
The Lord orders my steps,
And I’m obeying without a question.

You gon’ surrender,
Or you gon’ die a sinner?
Choose wisely.

Break up with the things that are breaking you and step into breakthrough!
God is waiting for you to surrender it all to HIM.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

One of the biggest revelations I've received is that my comfort will never align with God's calling. What God does and desires from us will always surpass human capacity. I cannot fulfill my purpose in my own strength. This also means I couldn't reach my calling while clinging to the things that brought me the most comfort.

God began revealing the areas where I sought comfort to soothe my flesh instead of pursuing Him. I once found peace in the wrong things: I smoked weed to numb myself rather than face grief, emotional pain, and depression head-on. Drinking D'usse and Hennessy became a way to suppress my true feelings. I would conform to the environments I was in, the social groups around me, and even relationships because I didn't know who I was—I only knew how to be who others needed me to be. But here's the thing: God couldn't use me in that place. I couldn't hear His voice or feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit when I was absorbed in my false comforts. I was distant from Him, not because He left me, but because I had chosen other things to cope instead of trusting Him.
 
As God begins to strip away these things, we stop relying on our vices and start relying on His strength and power.

This process wasn't easy for me. In fact, it was straight painful. It tested me in ways I hadn't imagined. I received a life-altering diagnosis. My husband's court dates were continually pushed back. Medical bills piled up while we lived on a fixed income. In the past, all of these things might have broken me. I would have folded under the pressure, seeking solace in the old comforts that once numbed me. But this time, I didn't fold. This time, I broke the cycle. The enemy studies our habits and patterns, but this time, I stood firm. 
I stood ten toes down in my faith and reliance on God. I didn't return to what was once comfortable; I leaned into the discomfort.

I began to see God's glory manifest in my obedience and surrender. When I stopped relying on my comforts and instead leaned into God, I began to see a breakthrough in my circumstances and spirit. When you surrender to the process, you release your grip on control. This is where the limits are lifted, the chains are broken, and God moves in ways you couldn't have imagined. And know that the discomfort is often the sign that you're en route to your destiny. It's a sign that God is shaking things up because He is transforming  you for something greater.

Maybe you're holding onto something that makes you feel safe or in control. Maybe it's a habit, a relationship, or an environment that keeps you comfortable but distant from God's purpose. God's calling will always require you to let go of what soothes your flesh. He doesn't want us to rely on things that take His place. When you finally come to the end of yourself—when you stop worrying about the circumstances and give it all over to God—you will be amazed by what He can do in you, through you, and for you.

I challenge you to surrender to the process. Submit to God. Pick up your cross and walk. You have to die to your flesh daily if you want to be used by God. This isn't a pretty process. It isn't fun. It isn't comfortable—but it is life-changing. When you decide to walk in faith and step into the unknown with God, you'll see Him work in ways beyond your imagination. It's in this place of discomfort that you'll witness His exceeding, abundant power at work in your life, just as it says in Ephesians 3:20, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."

So, I challenge you to lean into the discomfort. Trust that the discomfort indicates that you're moving toward your divine purpose. Keep your eyes on the Lord, walk by faith, and declare victory—because the process leads you closer to His promises.

The biggest setback really be self,
Don’t blame the enemy—
The one to blame is yourself.
Your vices are hindering you;
God just wants to use you.

But you conform to the comfort in the crisis
Instead of surrendering those vices.
On the outside you look kept,
But you couldn’t be further from God.

You practice religion,
But can’t hear His voice at all.
How much longer will you stay stagnant,
Complaining that things aren’t changing?

God is waiting on you
To release control,
So He can bring the change.
Your disobedience keeps you bound in chains,
Your comfortability has you thinking
All churches are the same.
Some part of you believes Christianity isn’t pain,
But if Christ had to suffer,
Who are you to remain unchanged?

There is no victory in the vices,
Only in the cross.
Can you die to who you were,
And unlearn the wrong you were taught?

If you fight back against the demons
Instead of using comforts to soothe them,
You’d see that all that’s in you—
God can still use you.

Change your tone,
Change your taste,
Change your view.
You can’t be renewed
Holding onto the old you.

Freedom is waiting when you let go.
What’s the measure of your faith
When you can stand tall and say “no”?
Faith is required when God says “go,”
But He will never force you—
You’ve got the power to choose.
The ball is in your court—win or lose.

Often, the real battle is not against external forces but against the internal comforts we cling to—those habits that keep us far from God. The enemy doesn’t always need to interfere when we’re already keeping ourselves bound by our own choices. Just like I had to, God may be asking you to release your vices and trust Him fully. It’s in your surrender that freedom is found. If God did it for me, I know that He can do it for you.

"He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
John 15:2 NIV

In a season of pruning, we often cling to the things God is trying to remove from our lives. This resistance usually stems from habit, the duration of time spent with certain people or things, and our misplaced loyalty to them. Yet, if God is all-knowing and all-seeing, why do we struggle to release what we know needs to be let go? At what point do we take our hands off the things God calls us to surrender?

Perhaps this season isn’t just about being pruned from people but also from habits, things, and places that no longer align with God’s purpose for us. We need divine discernment to identify the times and seasons that require us to let go or step into something new. Spiritual Discernment, guided by the Holy Spirit, reassures us that we are on the right path to spiritual and personal growth.

 Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, "To everything, there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven...” How long will you hold on to the things, places, or people that no longer serve where God is taking you?

What if I told you that the things you hold onto stunt your growth? What if your unwillingness to surrender to God is causing you to miss out on the blessings He has prepared for you?

I challenge you to sit with God and allow Him to reveal the people, places, and things He is pruning from your life in this season.

As the end of summer is near and we embrace the fall, what will fall away from you? Will it be codependency? Relationships that no longer serve you? Self-sabotaging behaviors? Unforgiveness? A stony heart? The paralyzing fear of failure? Or perhaps your limited perception of God?

I implore you to go deeper, not to miss what God is doing within you,
and to not ignore the Holy Spirit's leading.
Conviction is necessary, correction is essential, and change is required.
So, let go and let God.

Your craving for fulfillment,
Yet you want to be in control.
You’re praying for God’s intervention,
Yet you’re loyal to the strongholds.

Self-gratification
Isn’t balanced with gratitude.
Make it less about you,
For His purpose, be the tool.
The enemy
Has played you for a fool.

Promises of worldly things—
The more you run after him,
The further you stray
From eternity with the King.
Chasing people, places, and things,
When God planted a seed—
You’re a solution
To the problems His children need.

The sooner you release control,
The further you will grow.
Sever ties with your old self;
You’re operating from a dead place.
If you’re made new in Christ,
Then the newness must be embraced.

The pruning can’t be escaped.
You’re prolonging the process of suffering.
God can’t produce
What you won’t let loose.
And you get pissed
When you lose,
But you won’t surrender to the truth
That the problem was really you.

Tell the truth,
Shame the devil.
Why sugarcoat it
When the body is in trouble?

You don’t have all the answers;
Your logic is diabolical.
Your false perceptions—
Painful interjections,
Causing you to misinterpret
The Holy Spirit’s directions.
Acting in religion
But living like a heathen—
You say you want to make it into Heaven,
Why are you playing roulette with the demons?

The truth—it’s time to see it.
The Word—you gotta read it.
Take heed to the wisdom,
Receive the knowledge at hand.
Then God can grant you
The wisdom to understand:
Your surrender was always
A requirement for the plan.

Now let Him cutaway
The dead roots,
The branches that bear no fruit.
Soul ties cut loose,
Generational lies hold no truth.
Let God renew everything concerning you—
It’s time!

God's pruning is preparing you for greater blessings. The more you let go, the more room for fruitfulness you will have. Believe that greater is coming; what God has begun, He will complete! 

"Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."
Isaiah 64:8 NIV

During what felt like one of the hardest weeks of this year, I heard God say, 'Brittany, surrender to the process to see progress.' Right away, I knew He was talking about my struggle with control and submission. Tough times can feel really hard and even painful, but they’re necessary. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that God can use everything for our good, but it’s true. Even though we make our own choices, we are always going through some kind of process. I had to learn that change is a big part of our journey with God.

Each person’s process is different, and it helps prepare us for what God has planned. To surrender, we need to understand what’s happening within us. This means being self-aware, using good judgment, and knowing God’s Word. You may feel like God is taking something away from you, but in reality, He might be restoring you and making you whole. If you don't recognize this process, you could be tempted to make decisions based on emotions rather than wisdom.

God doesn't want us to stay the same; through the process, He transforms us to be more like Jesus. If we don’t surrender, we might miss out on the breakthrough He has for us. Whether you’re being prepared for something, learning more about God, or going through spiritual training, God is working in you. Sometimes, He corrects us because He loves us and wants us to learn obedience.

You might be in a season where you’re learning to surrender your plans and trust God’s plans. Or maybe your faith is being tested, and you’re discovering your strengths and weaknesses. Waiting teaches us to trust God’s timing, and going through tough times strengthens our faith. No two processes are the same, and sometimes we go through more than one process at the same time.

The important thing is to figure out what season you’re in and what God is doing within you. Think about the progress you’ve made: your attitude has changed, your trust in God is stronger, your relationships are better, and you feel peace instead of panic. That’s progress.
Don’t skip the process and miss the progress God wants to make in you.

Philippians 1:6 tells us that God, who started a good work in us,
will keep working until it’s finished when Jesus returns.
God is with you in the process, walking beside you.
Trust Him, have faith, and surrender to the process.
 .

The waves of life try to make you sway,
But God whispers in the storm, "Trust, and obey."
Through trials and change, He shapes your soul,
Each process leads to an eternal goal.

You are the clay in the Potter's care,
Molded by love, so have no fear.
Surrender the struggle, release control,
For in His process, you learn your Kingdom role.

Though storms may rage and winds may blow,
In His hands, your strength will grow.
Anchored in hope, you stand secure,
Through every process, God's love endures.

No matter how you feel, God's word is the cure,
Praise Him for the progress, His promises assure!

May you find strength in knowing that God is with you every step of the way, shaping you for His purpose. Trust in His process, for He is faithfully working in you to bring about His perfect will.

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

Sometimes, the things that are good for us don’t taste good or feel comfortable to us. But, in the end, they’re worth it. As Christians, we often focus on the parts of the Bible that make us feel good, but we stay away from the parts that challenge us or require change.

I want to remind you that you can’t skip the hard parts of life just because they’re tough. You were told there would be challenges, but you were also promised eternal glory. It’s easy to enjoy reading some parts of the Bible, like Ephesians, but it’s harder when you get to books like Deuteronomy, Jeremiah, Romans, Habakkuk, and Colossians. These parts might challenge you a little more, but they’re just as important.

You can’t afford to be picky about what parts of the Bible you accept when your spiritual health is on the line. Your choices affect more than just you—they can impact your family and bloodline.

Sometimes, our bad habits keep us from realizing what following God really costs. These habits might make us blind to the love in Jesus’ sacrifice. They can make us avoid responsibility and live a life that doesn’t honor God fully. On Sundays, we might be all about praising God, but by Tuesday, we’re back to our old ways.

If we only worship God on Sundays and ignore Him the rest of the week, how can we expect to truly connect with Him? It’s not fair to demand things from God if we aren’t willing to give Him the sacrifice He deserves.

So, what does God ask of us? Psalm 51:17 says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” If God wants us to come to Him with a humble heart, why do so many of us try to be someone He never asked us to be?

I want to encourage you to embrace the parts of the Bible that challenge you and help you grow. You know the parts that bring conviction, and correction. While it might not always be easy, following God’s Word and gaining true understanding will lead to eternal victory.

This week I challenge you to live out James 1:22  “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
 .

There's a process you must go through
in the refining of your inner man.
When you choose the path of righteousness,
the old you can no longer withstand.

All things are made new,
washing the residue of who you used to be.
Put on your new self
with a renewed mind,
and live a life declaring victory
over your circumstances,
over your bloodline,
over your life.

It was in the imperfections
where God had room to perfect this.
You were always filled with purpose;
you just needed to release control
and realize what your worth is.

You were bought for a price;
remember Jesus gave His life.
So if obedience is required,
why are you wasting time?

What’s good for you
can cause discomfort,
but you're loved by the Comforter.
You can grieve what is lost,
but God said there is a time for it,
and He's the nurturer.

Give Him all you’ve got;
He doesn’t care about the amount of pieces.
He is the Potter.
When He renews you,
it’s like you were never bleeding.

His ways are not your ways;
His thoughts are higher.
Surrender to the correction of the Holy Spirit,
and watch the Father take you farther.

Matthew 18:19 says, 'Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.' If you have a prayer request or need us to stand in agreement with you, please submit it below.

Stretching has a purpose. Physically, it keeps your muscles flexible and healthy, helps with balance and coordination, and improves blood flow. It also boosts your posture and physical performance. Spiritually, stretching helps you stay open to what the Holy Spirit can do within you. Sanctification shapes you to be more like Christ, reflecting Jesus in your actions, character, and thoughts. So to be stretched is the process of being transformed.

You are stretched through experiences that push you out of your comfort zone and make you rely on God.  Think about walking without stretching first. The aches, discomfort, and cramps are terrible. In the same way, trying to live out your faith without spiritual stretching can lead to spiritual frustration, burnout, and mental struggles. Stretching is God moving you past your human capability and you can't afford to skip this process.

The more you are stretched, the deeper you grow in knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and your relationship with God. Don’t lose hope in the process. Stretching is meant to grow you and make you better than ever. It pushes you to do more than the bare minimum. God is raising the standard, and you need to be in the best spiritual shape of your life.

So stretch it out through Christ, walk it out by faith, and go be the light!

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
Galatians 5:16 NIV

The journey of discipleship is not easy, nor is it just a social media trend. This is real life, and to reach eternity with Christ, we must live upright. This doesn’t mean just going to church on Sundays, putting on a religious act, or shouting "hallelujah" out of habit. Our spiritual walk is a daily commitment, and our spiritual life depends on it.
At our core, we are not as strong as we might think.

To strengthen our spiritual core, we need to exercise our spiritual muscles by following the disciplines Jesus showed us. To walk by the Spirit, we must be careful about what we feed our spirit. This includes what we watch, the teachings we follow, how we understand the Bible, and the sins we struggle with. In the "My Dysfunctional Relationship with Food" series, PC taught us that we feed our spirit through prayer, worship, fasting, reading the Bible, and spending time with God. So, why do we make something so simple seem so complicated?

Maybe it's because we haven’t learned to fully control our flesh. Romans 8:5 says, "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." Ask yourself deep down, what do you truly desire? Until you understand your true desires, you can't fully walk in God's will and if your flesh controls you, you cannot please God.

This week, I challenge you to spend time with God and ask Him to reveal your true self to you. Until you are honest with yourself, you cannot grow in your relationship with God or have a renewed mind, or a strengthened spirit. You cannot change what you do not accept.

Are we truly living out our beliefs? It's one thing to talk the talk, but are we walking the walk? Let’s take off the masks and be real with ourselves. Remember, you’re not fooling God—He sees EVERYTHING. No more hiding, no more pretending, no more lukewarm living. You claim faith in Jesus Christ, but do your actions show it?

Let's clear our hearts and minds from anything that’s holding us back, anything that’s keeping us from getting closer to God. That means letting go of self-deception, self-sabotage, bad habits, limiting beliefs, bitterness, unforgiveness, and offense.

To embrace the plans God has for us, we must first embrace the transformation that comes from the stretching.

It's time to get rid of the excuses, toss away the religious facades, and embrace the truth. It’s time to own our choices and step boldly into the light of God's love. We’re stretching into salvation as we prepare ourselves for serious transformation.

With God, you don’t have to strain,
This labor ain’t in vain.
Let your mind be in Christ,
So you’re renewed every day.
He’s taking you past your ability,
In Him there is victory!

When you say YES Lord,
Repent and turn from sin,
Keep your eyes locked on Him,
In every test, He makes a way.
Molding you piece by piece,
Elasticity in the spirit.
If you’ve given up who you were,
You know the feeling of the bending—
The turning and the pulling,
Crushing, never breaking.
There’s a bounce-back
In every shaking,
So be unceasing
In your praying.

Embrace the freedom
In the fellowship.
Grow patience in the serving,
As if you’re serving unto Him.
Honor the Sabbath,
Whatever day for the Lord.
Sit before God in solitude
And get the strategy for the storms.
Starve your flesh,
Feed your spirit with the bread of life.
Open up your Bible—
Every verse is a bite.
This is the stretching,
So be empowered in your worship.

Jesus had to drink the cup;
I expect your spirit to be stirred up.
You’re suffering not rejected,
You don’t get to neglect this.
Greater things shall you do in the earth,
Is a demand on your identity.
So surrender in obedience to experience
God and His goodness in totality.

Remember we at Center of Hope are here for you. You don't have to navigate this journey alone. If you need prayer or are looking to interact with COH return to the home screen and complete the necessary form.  

Welcome to The Harbor of Hope, a place where we explore our faith and are guided by love. Led by Pastor Carl L. Petrus of Center of Hope, our blog is more than just words—it's a light in a sometimes dark world. Here, we hold onto our faith and navigate life with love. Join us as we discover the richness of God's love and grace together.

Anchored in Faith, Guided by Love—this is more than just a tagline; it's a guiding principle that shapes everything we do here at The Harbor of Hope. Our mission is to empower, encourage, and educate fellow Christians with spiritual insights, poems, notes, and resources, all rooted in the unshakable foundation of faith and love.

If you've felt a shift over the past few months, you're not alone. While 2024 started off strong, many of us have found ourselves struggling as the months went by. We're still feeling the effects of last year's challenges, dealing with the unrest in our government, severe weather, heartache from wars around the world, and recent tragic events like the murder of Sonya Massey and another woman in New Jersey who remains unnamed.
 I want to encourage you to not lose hope.

Now is not the time to go astray but the time to draw closer to God. One strategy that has helped me navigate life's storms and constant changes is to have a heart of gratitude and to consistently prioritize God. What does that look like for you?

Here's my challenge to you: dedicate a few minutes each day to sit in reflection and connect with God. Whether through prayer, worship, studying scripture, or simply talking to Him, make it a priority to put Him first. Thank God for His grace, protection, and mercy that He has shown not only to you but to your loved ones. Ask Him what He needs you to do, how He needs you to show up, and what you need to prepare for. When you lean into His presence, you open yourself to receive His will, His blessings of peace, safety, and strength.

I’ve found that during these times, surrendering my plans, problems, and fears to Him helps me release the anxieties that threaten my peace. Social media and the news don't stop, but with God's presence and the mind of Christ, you can keep your light shining. Give it a try and see if it makes a difference in how you navigate each day. Let's journey together, anchored in faith and guided by His love.

In the separation,
you find your imagination,
allowing you to see beyond
your current situation
don't call it a limitation
because God has greater plans for you.
Out of an obligation to fulfill
His word concerning you,
You must surrender in the wait.
Choose patience, no matter how strong the waves.
you will find rest in the reassurance of His word.

Browse the app and don't hesitate to connect with community. Whether it's submitting a prayer request, hearing the word of God, signing up for a class, or joining the church, know that Center of Hope is here for you.