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We’re celebrating today with (in)courage co-founder Holley Gerth as she releases a brand new (and beautiful) gift book with DaySpring — Promises from God for Life’s Hard Moments: Thoughts and Prayers When You Need Them Most. It’s full of brief devotions and to-the-point prayers, both intended to help you connect with the Lord. Here’s what Holley invites us into:

We live in a busy, broken world. Whether we’re simply a bit tired or in the middle of a crisis, we all need a place to come and be still for a moment—a place to be reminded that we’re loved, known, and supported. In my own life, I’ve discovered the promises of God to be that refuge.

He is our strength when we are weary, our hope when we are discouraged, and our encourager when the stresses of life bring us down. The following pages of Scripture, prayer, and thoughtfully collected content are personal invitations to approach God for whatever we need. You’ll find, as I have, that His love is forever ready and waiting.

This book is a beautiful reflection of God’s work in Holley’s heart poured out onto pages. It’s perfectly purse-sized, ready to be tossed into your bag and pulled out for a moment of peace in the carpool line. Here’s an excerpt from the book and a video clip of Holley speaking at a book launch party (it was held at one of our favorite shops, Altar’d State.) We know your heart will be encouraged by her words!

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Acceptance

Therefore accept one another, just as Christ also accepted you, to the glory of God.
Romans 15:7 (CSB)

God, we long for acceptance and are thankful you freely and fully offer it to us. You open Your arms to us just as we are and call us Your own. Your presence is constant, and Your encouragement grows us into all we’re created to be. Help us to fully embrace Your love and to pass it on to others. Amen.

The world tells us we need to be “perfect.” It heaps on the pressure. It tempts us to hustle for approval and praise. But I’m learning this: The breaks in our “perfect” facades are actually more like windows where people can most clearly see Jesus.

We do not need to have life all together. We just need to come together as we are.
We do not need to be flawless. We just need to be faithful and try again.
We do not need an “image.” We just need a God who can transform us in ways beyond what we can imagine.

We are all a wild mix of beautiful and broken. Shattered and whole. Weak and strong. We are beloved daughters of a God who treasures us more than we know. He sees us as we are and graciously loves us still — let’s dare to do the same for ourselves and each other.

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Here’s a bit of Holley’s heart and story behind the book:

Doesn’t that just make you want to run right out and have coffee with her? Next best thing — meet with her on her website, then get your copy of Promises from God at DaySpring. While you’re there, pick up the coordinating journal to jot down your own thoughts and prayers!

Holley’s prayer for this book echoes our heart for you, dear friend: I pray [each time you read from it] you’ll experience the faithful care and loving presence of the God who is with us and for us in every moment, especially the hard ones. Amen.