Hopeful Prayer – Short Stories & Pauses sermons

This is my prayer for me and for you. That we would be moved and empowered by the Holy Spirit for ourselves and for others in this watching, waiting world. These are a few stories about life with God followed by questions to wonder about WITH God. May the Lord bless you as you listen! This was my first time ever preaching two sermons in one day (and I’m not trying to make this a habit folks!) First, I preached this sermon in it’s entirety at my home church, Impact Temple Church. Then, I took a modified version (due to time and context) to the Young Adult Ministry of the The Lord’s Church of Waco (a Korean Church) about a 40-minute drive away on 4 May 2025. Both videos are shared below, if you’d like to see how it was the same and different for these 2 different contexts.

More details are shared at the end of this blog in my usual, after-sermon ‘preaching tips’ video recorded when I got back home from both events and time with family. I share my preaching struggle, personal testimony and gratitude and more (see below).

I am always hopeful that these offerings would bless and encourage you in your own journey with God and in your ministry of service to others. Feel free to reach out to me or leave a comment below, anytime. Blessings and peace!

Stories of: rabbits, life in the dump/lack of bathroom access (Romans 8:26-27), the community of the former Congressman John Lewis, and the Texas sky (Psalm 19:1-6)
Stories of: life as a young adult/lack of bathroom access (Romans 8:26-27), rabbits, navigating transitions/the sky (Psalm 19:1-6)

Philippians 1:3-6, 9-11 (NIV)

I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,  being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,  so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Sermon Summary (according to ChatGPT!)

Main Message:

This sermon invites us to open our hearts to God’s presence, see the sacred in every moment, and grow in love and spiritual maturity.

Key Themes:

Stories from local and global communities remind us that injustice and need are all around us—and we’re not meant to look away.

  • God is present in both the seen and unseen moments of our lives.
  • We are called to live with compassion, humility, and courage.
  • Spiritual maturity means abounding in love, discernment, and righteous action (Philippians 1).

Preaching Tips Background Video

I share my preaching struggle about choosing a topic when there’s no set sermon series, feedback from both pastors, my personal testimony and gratitude about how God has provided (and also how I’ve received no word as well), and and other thoughts about being myself in my role. I also talk about how I delivered this sermon in my own style for this particular week.

I’d love to hear what resonates with you, in your particular roles of ministry (or however you’ve come to find this particular video)!


You can find the rest of my sermons here! https://sejanashines.com/preaching


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About SejanaShines

Hi! My name is Sejana Yoo. I shine light on what matters most by empowering and equipping others to do whatever it is they are here to do, well, for the benefit of all we love & serve. I enjoy sharing hope for everyday life to others – from the mundane to the messy. I offer support by sharing learning events and connection opportunities both online & in-person, spiritual direction services, and/or through preaching for pulpit-supply. You can learn more about me here. And You can connect with me in various ways here. May you have Peace! – Sejana

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