ForgottenWoman

A Lifestyle of Prayer

*From my journal in 2009!

This has been a very busy week – and one filled with constant prayer!  Our 14 year old daughter was admitted to the hospital on Sunday of last week with a very serious case of pneumonia.  Mommy mode was in full force and we were blessed with the prayer support of many.  I am very grateful to be able to share with you that God answered our prayers in the way that we really wanted and she is home and recovering now.  

During the events of the past several months in our home, my mind has often considered the times when we pray as fervently as we know how to and we can’t seem to see or understand the answers.  How is our faith sustained during these times and how can we know that we know that our Heavenly Father is indeed listening and answering in the best way possible for us? 

Scripture gives us answers to these questions and during this past weekend I was reminded of many of these.  The fact that my Heavenly Father loves me and cares about every detail of my life gives me the assurance that He is listening.  As a mother, I understand the concept of listening and giving to my children only what is best.  How much more does my Heavenly Father know and give to us!  As an earthly, limited mother I can only give what I believe to be best.  My Heavenly Father can give what He KNOWS to be best.  This morning I received a text from an 18 year old that I’ve been communicating with for about 6 months.  Her very direct question was,  “What does your faith really mean to you?”  Once again, I was reminded of these same Scriptures.  

Hebrews 1:5  For to which of the angels did God ever say,  “You are my son (daughter):  today I have become your Father.”

Jeremiah 30:22  So you will be my people and I will be your God

Jeremiah 29: 11-13   “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  

II Corinthians 6:18   “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

God is an intimate, loving Father Who desires to share our lives with us.  

As I considered the question of this 18 year old young lady today I thought through many things.  My faith means everything to me!  By faith I have received everlasting life with my Savior.  That settles my eternity.  By faith, my worldview, my lifestyle is changed!  By faith, as I go throughout the day, I have an advocate in Jesus Christ.  By faith: my thoughts, motives, words and actions can be controlled by the One Who created all, knows all, sees all and loves me with an everlasting love.  And by faith, my understanding of Him is grown daily through the practice of prayer.  What an awesome privilege. 

When you are tempted to be discouraged in your prayer life;  when you doubt His presence and hand in your life, remember these verses of Scripture and pray by faith trusting His Word.   Psalm 139:17  “How precious are your thoughts toward me, O God!   How great is the sum of them!”  

Challenge: Today in 2023, much of life has passed since I wrote this in my prayer journal. I’m continuing to learn to trust my Heavenly Father!

When you feel abandoned by a friendship;  take your hurt to the Lord.   When your spouse isn’t living up to your expectations:  take your expectations and your spouse to the Lord.   When your spouse walks away from your marriage, take your heartbreak to the Lord. When you are concerned about the choices a teen or young adult in your life is making:  take your concern to the Lord.  When you don’t know how you will pay for the next meal:  take your stress and your need to the Lord.  When your children are challenging your very sanity:  take your lack of patience to the Lord.  

Then leave it there!  He is the Holy Spirit in the lives of our spouses, children and friends.  He is still in control and He alone knows how He is working in your and their lives.  He knows our every need and He promises to provide for us.  When He created the lives of our children, He did so knowing that we are capable of bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord:  otherwise, He wouldn’t have placed them into our homes.  WOAH!  What?   Remember that our Christian walk is a daily journey. This isn’t about perfection.  This isn’t about our human expectations.  This is about God – the creator of life – choosing to place your children into your family – knowing your limitations, knowing your struggles, knowing your weaknesses and knowing your failings – both past, present and future.  He still chose to give you these lives.  The fact that you are here reading this is an indication that your heart has an understanding that He is the answer to all of our doubts and inadequacies.  He alone is capable of filling in our gaps, of healing hurts, of taking our flub-ups and turning them into His glory!  We fail when we do things our way, when we forget that we have access to the One Who is truly in control and we seek to fit into a mold of this world instead of focusing on Him and living our lives according to that focus alone. Let’s choose prayer and the success that walking hand=in-hand with our Savior brings.     Psalm 46:10   “Be still and know that I am God.”   Isaiah 30:15   “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”