Have you prayed for your kids today?

Two weekends ago, I had the privilege of attending a Women's Conference in town. An even greater privilege was to attend with my mom, a wonderful teenage girl who we consider part of the family, and several other dear friends. The conference was put on by a group of ladies called Extraordinary Women, (click here to check out a location near you). Amazing "take-aways" and areas in which the Spirit spoke right to my heart, but one overall theme that I keep sensing as it reverberates across my heart, has to do with prayer.

Stormie Omartian, an amazing author and speaker, has written a book titled, The Power of a Praying Parent. I don't know about you, but my children are prayed for in many different ways, but in certain areas, I have yet to pray for them... until now. Through Stormie, God is helping me to take a look at how to turn to Him and place every detail of my childrens' lives in His loving and capable hands.

Perhaps you're reading this today and it's yet another post about children, and you sigh thinking, I don't fit into this category. My heart reaches out to you, I've been there. In fact, God gives us a great example in the book of 1 Samuel about a lady named Hannah, check it out. And while you're at it, check out my dear friend Rachel's site, her study will leave you changed. Sometimes we forget, nothing surprises God. He's known us since before time began. He knew we'd be here, right in this very moment today. He doesn't leave us without His truth, His Word to draw from, examples of our humanness, examples from the perfect Son he sent to us and for us. Perhaps today, the Lord has given you special "children" in your life, perhaps nieces or nephews, neighbors, children of friends, or even a room full of Sunday schoolers. Prayer is powerful. Prayer is life-transforming. Prayer is a command.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

¹⁶Be joyful always; ¹⁷pray continually; ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Not only am I concentrating on praying for my children's safety, character development, relationship with God, and friends, but I'm, in turn, teaching them how to pray in a way that is natural and free as if talking with a friend near them. I've been using Stormie's book, What Happens When I Talk to God?, as a way to introduce them to different facets of what to pray about and the attributes of their Heavenly Father as well. It's led into some discussion of the Lord's prayer, found in Matthew 6, as well. It's transforming our lives. When I asked the question, "What do you talk to God about while you're at school?" I uncovered aspects of their heart that I never knew where being shaped, what a beautiful picture to me, what a blessing.

I wonder if you might be sitting in skepticism today. Perhaps your are doubting the power of prayer. Maybe you prayed for something and you feel that God hasn't answered. Perhaps you've been praying for awhile now, and it appears God isn't listening. Maybe you wonder if He even hears you, if He even cares? Let me tell you that you are not alone. You are indeed at a crossroads. You've come to a place where truth is offered, your actions to follow will indicate your belief. Matthew 7 states, "

¹³"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Which gate will you enter today? As you dare to believe in the truth that God spells out, as you dare to believe and place your trust in the One who cannot be seen with the visible eye, will you be able to share in the truth that states, "He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20)? Will you dare to "taste and see that the Lord is good.." (Psalms 34:8), in order to receive the abundant, full life that is offered? What are you waiting for? What is your fear?

"Be amazed, be changed, by a perfect God".... singer Natalie Grant.

In times of trouble...

I have a dear friend. Amongst the beauty, majesty, and sheer awe of this Christmas season. A time of hardship, heartache, and heart-attack has entered their home. When hard times hit, it seems as though the list of questions are long and the list of answers are hard to come by. I wonder how many are in looking into the same long, dark tunnel this season?

In my simplistic mind, when we arrive at these times, we have one of two options. We may look towards Him, or may look towards the world (for a variety of reasons), yet the choice remains. Where did my friend turn? Right into the loving, waiting arms of her Heavenly Father. The results? I'll simply let her words fall upon your heart today...

• I know our Lord has not abandoned me or our family.

• While this was not appointed by God, because of the sinful world we live in, it was allowed by Him. We may never know His purpose in this circumstance for our family, yet if it is to testify of His amazing, never-leave-your-side love and to transform our brokenness and satisfy our hungry soul and walk more closely to Him and reflect Him more clearly, Glory to God.

Can you see it? Peace. Can you read it? Hope. Has her circumstance changed? Nope. During this Christmas season, may we again take a glance at the one who literally walked the road that you travel. He knows you. In fact, He knew you even before the world began. He knew this day would arrive. He knows the plans he has for you, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans for a hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11) Though we can't "see" all the whys, today we can choose to stand on the hope promised and trust in His Almighty Plan. Will this take away the pain of today? We want this is our fast-paced, fix-me now-convenience based society, but the fact of the matter is, he wants us to come to Him. All of us, just as we are. How much do we as parents cherish the times our children have approached us and poured out their hearts? How much more does our Heavenly Father want to pour back into us in our times of weakness?

Lord, may our "lifesong sing to you". Praying for you my dear friend...

Yes, No, Wait

I've often heard that there are three ways that God answers our prayers - yes, no, and wait. Again, pretty simple, but maybe God isn't the one who operates on over-complication. Pastor Allen talked about this on Wednesday night, and if you would have asked me about my life at that moment, God's plan for Aaron and I has been... wait.

Waiting. Does anyone really like this word? It's something we talk about, require, and outright demand of our children at times, yet do we really ever "grow-up and out" of? (See Stef's blog!) I must admit, that a few times lately, you'd find me flailing around on the floor, kicking and screaming with all my might, if I would allow my insides to show on the outsides, that is. I regress. Why? It's out of my control. I don't understand. I may never know why.

Just about a week ago, this flailing and gnashing finally caught up with me, in the form of exhaustion (as with most tantrums, sigh). I found myself in a position that I wanted to be in, but didn't know how to get there. I found myself on the floor, broken, and spilled out. Humbling place to be, relieving place to be, refreshing, and refueling position to reside in. I was ready with an open heart to surrender... my all, my life... trusting not in what is seen, but what is unseen... the essence of one simple word - faith.

Yesterday, my husband and I received the call - an offer. A buyer with an intention to purchase our house. The details of the day astounds us. Later today, we will be traveling to Charlotte, NC to watch His story in our life unfold. His timing for our move is 2 weeks, our response is... okay (after the YIKES! part). We'll see.... story of our lives hugh? What's life without a little adventure (wink)!

Dear Lord, I pray that you continue to calm my anxious heart. Lord, I pray today for your wisdom as you guide and direct our path. Lord, I pray that we will clearly see your will, recognize it, and know it without giving a thought to doubt. Lord, help me to lean into you and to stand on your truth in a world that tells me I'm crazy. Lord, may "the words of my heart and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock, and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14) Lord, as you continue to bring this verse to mind, may it penetrate my being and remain in the forefront of my thoughts:

Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

To be continued...

Persevering in prayer

Colossians 4:2

2Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving. (AMP)

Paul asks the Colossians to devote themselves to prayer. One who is devoted is faithful, persistent, and persevering. In our devotion to prayer, we are instructed to stay alert in our praying by having an attitude of thanksgiving. As my dear friend Krysty (check out her blog), reminded me last night, praise and thanksgiving are an essential part of persevering prayer. The more we focus on praising God, the more devoted and faithful we become.

Hannah is such a beautiful example of devoted prayer. Pause a moment and take a few seconds to read through her prayer of exultation, it's truly amazing (1 Samuel 2:1-10), or even pop over to biblegateway.com and click on "passage lookup". What great things she says of God. Did you notice how she gracefully overlooks the gift and praises the giver? How often we forget the giver and focus our attention only on the gift. Matthew Henry says, "Every stream should lead us to the fountain; and the favors we receive from God should raise our admiration of the infinite perfections there are in God."

Sometimes it's hard to pray. Sometimes we just don't feel like it. Sometimes we rather just escape, whether we "veg" in front of the TV, get lost in a book, or maybe take a nap. Sometimes we grow weary in praying for the same things over, and over, and over again. What then? May I humbly suggest that we wait quietly before God. Maybe we tell Him how cold and prayerless our hearts our, then look up to Him, trust Him, and expect Him to send the Holy Spirit to warm us up. I have a feeling that it won't be long before the glow of the Holy Spirit's presence will fill our hearts. Before long, we will begin to pray with freedom, directness, earnestness, and power.

In my experience, I am coming to learn that the blessings of such persevering prayer are unspeakable. There is nothing so heart-searching as the prayer of faith. "Honest talk" has taught me to discover and confess, which ultimately helps me let go of that which hinders the coming of blessings. It also reminds me to ask to see anything that may not be in accordance with His will. It has led me to closer fellowship with Him as he offers me guidance in how to pray. It's a kind of friendship talk that comes as naturally as breathing. Did it happen overnight? Nope. Like many things, it happens over time, with persistence and consistency.

David was a man after God's own heart, and his psalms are full of praises. My challenge to you today is to pray with him this prayer of gratitude, and perhaps write one of your own in your journal (you can do it!) God loves you and is so proud of you.

Psalm 52:8-9

8 But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God's unfailing love
for ever and ever.

9 I will praise you forever for what you have done;
in your name I will hope, for your name is good.
I will praise you in the presence of your saints.

Another look at prayer

Prayer... one of those concepts that is inexhaustible. I'm sure I can spend a lifetime learning and still not come close to grasping the fact that I have obtained a pass to enter the "Holy of Holies", as the Old Testament states, to be able to commune with my Almighty Father. How did I gain this access? How did I earn this? How is it possible that I'm written, not only on his hand, but in the lamb's book of life for eternity? Not by anything this stinkin flesh deserves, but for only one reason. I have confessed my sins and I have asked Jesus to invade my life and heart. I am covered in the precious, protective blood of his son. Why? Simply because he loves me, he created me, and he wants me to walk with Him daily. In light of all of this, my "resonable service" (Romans 12:1) is to pursue more of my Jesus. I want to improve upon my communication skills (something I still strive for in my marriage, even after 11 years and counting :)

I'm currently reading a fabulous book called Becoming a Woman of Prayer, by Cynthia Heald, and the latest chapter I read is about intercessory prayer. Some fascinating stuff that I'd love to share! She begins with a quote from Oswald Chambers that has left me with thoughts to ponder. He states, "Vicarious intercession means that we deliberately substitute God's interests in others for our natural sympathy with them." I believe that we, at times, imagine that intercession means bringing our personal sympathies into the presence of God, in essence approaching Him with what we think is the best plan, our plan, which in turn demands that He do what we ask (ouch). Are we at times afraid to add the clause... your will be done? (John 17).

In a humble attempt to draw some connections, in essence, connect the dots as my friend Kristin says, let's take a look at the armor of God in relation to prayer. In Ephesians 6:10-18, the word praying is the climax of this whole epistle. Paul describes the man who does his most effective work in praying. There are six qualifications under the figure of the six pieces of armor. A clear understanding of truth (belt), a clean obedient life (breastplate), a strongly simple trust in God (feet), clear reassurance of one's own salvation and relation to God (helmet), and a good grip of truth for others (sword and shield). S.D. Gordon is quoted as saying, Such a man - praying - drives back these hosts of the traitor prince. Such a a man praying is invincible in his Chief, Jesus." Wow, I'm speechless.

I also loved the reminder that the bible is full of prayers to begin using on behalf of others (Ephesians. 3:14-21; Colossians 1:9-12; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12), and over governing authorities (2 Chronicles 7:11-16; 1 Timothy 2:1-2). In reading these passages, my mind wandered to the age old question of why does God need our prayers? If He knows what is best for someone, why doesn't He just do it without involving us? Great questions, what is the truth? The example can be found in Jesus Christ (John 17) and his prayer, the dimension of oneness. He came not only to make us one with God, but to make us into oneness with each other. The reconciliation He died and rose to provide, and returned to impart, is both vertical and horizontal: it is with God and between us and others. May I humbly suggest that the Lord wants us to be to one another what He has been to us in love, forgiveness, and unlimited concern. The mystery of all is that often He will not bless another until we pray. When we pray, His love flows through us to the other person. Unbelievable at first, but true. I can attest that on my "heavy days", depressive days, I know that my sadness lifted because someone prayed for me. I know it.

I love yet another reminder from Amy Carmichael in that before we pray, we should first ask for spiritual understanding and direction in prayer because this is the confidence we can have in him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us: and if we know that he hears us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.

My next challenge for us is to begin a prayer journal. To write down requests for others as the Lord brings them to light and to mind. Lots of great resources out there, Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer, by Tara Furman is wonderful. You can purchase it by clicking on Proverbs31 link to the right (thanks for the suggestion Amy). Also, if you happen to live in the Hillard area, Northwest Bible Church is offering a study about prayer in studying Psalms. It begins Sept. 9, you can contact the church office at nwbible.org for more information. Thanks for taking the time to join me in my journey today. God Bless!

As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray. 1 Samuel 12:23

Pray out loud?!

If you would ask me about my knowledge and ability to pray, I would say that I stink. Up until about 5 years ago, if you would ask me to pray aloud in front of a group (even a group of 2), the people-pleaser in me might think about saying yes, but my answer would be, "no."

To give you a little background, my family attended a Lutheran church when I was little (family tradition), then we began to attend a Methodist Church, and by high school we attended a Nazarene church while I attended a Catholic high school, so, I affectionately label myself a denominational mutt. All in all, it was a great experience to observe differences, similarities, and authenticity amongst each group. When it came to the issue of prayer, I saw and heard only a few select pray, and that would be the men that stood in front of me on the "platform" each Sunday morning. I viewed prayer as reserved for a few select, for the intelligent, and for the well-rehearsed, you see, I didn't know about the relationship I could have with a Jesus that could be my personal friend, guide, coach, teacher, and father.

So what is my "take" on prayer now? It has become an integral part of my day. Did it happen overnight? I don't think many things do, not anything that has long-lasting, transformational effects anyway. We are so wired to want the immediate aren't we. Am I over a fear of what I will say as others "overhear"? Nope. But something comes about when you learn or practice anything in life - you stretch your legs, you become more comfortable, somewhat more confident, and along the way advance in the skill. Have any of you watched a small child's attempt to swim in a pool? Have you then observed them at their attempts the following summer? How about a few years to follow? Micheal Phelps began like this :)

However, we, as adults, struggle with something that children haven't yet - more years of life. Years filled with joys and real pains, hopes & dreams and doubts, successes and failures, disappointments, betrayals, and bitterness. How often or how easy is it to allow these experiences to frame our walls, our defenses, and our mind-sets? May I humbly suggest that these life experiences may be just what holds us back from our desires to even attempt to pray - too many what-ifs. May I suggest that there is another who would like nothing else than to plant that voice of doubt, masking it as your own voice, and justifying your action in closing the door on a relationship with your Heavenly Father, your creator?

As the Lord leads, I plan on delving into several aspects of prayer in attempt to deepen my understanding so I may pray more effectively and draw closer to Him. I believe so often we think of prayer as something we do to break through to God - to get his attention and to get Him to listen to us. But intimacy with God is His idea. He has taken the initiative, and prayer is His gift to us. It is an opportunity for us to respond to His invitation to intimacy by calling, crying, and singing to Him (for me, the latter is mostly in the shower and the car). Will you join me in this challenge? Start small. Choose a close friend, perhaps a spouse, perhaps a child, and simply say the words in your heart, whatever they may be, to Him. He doesn't care what you say, he just loves that you do.

Prayer Request Anyone?

Got to enjoy another fabulous morning run with a cherished friend this morning. We talk about quite a variety of things while we run (really does make the time go by fast!), and one of the topics we discussed around the last 1/2 mile was... prayer. This was our pondering point - "Why do we possess a filtering system when it comes to sharing our prayer requests? What qualifies a prayer as something "Big" enough to deem appropriate to reach out and "bother" or "burden" someone in making time to intercede with us on our journey?

I know I am a work in progress on this one. I carry a double standard. I consider it a complete honor and privilege to approach His Almighty throne of grace on the behalf of another's request and need, to walk alongside someone on their journey. But, for me, I hesitate in asking others to do the same. My first instinct is to "feel" as though I am a burden to other's, or that it comes from a selfish need to project my "issues" onto someone else. What is my source for this feeling? In light of this, am I robbing others of the same blessing and opportunity I am granted in the pursuit of prayer for others?

Well, let's go to THE source, what does God have to say about this...

1 Thessalonians 5:17 - pray continually

2 Thessalonians 1:11 - we constantly pray for you

James 5:16 - ...pray for each other...

Luke 18:1 - ...that they should always pray...

Ephesians 6:18 - And pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests...always keep on praying...

There you go. No request big or small. They are all of equal importance. No discrimination here. Did you catch the "continually, constantly, and always" part? What requests do you have today?