I've been fasting for weeks now, praying a bold prayer for salvation, restoration, freedom, and provision for someone. As I near the end of my self-imposed fast, I long to see the fruition of my prayers. Things have improved. Things are good, but I long for the better. I long to see the truth pouring from this one's life.
I know that God has not ignored my prayers and petitions. I know that He sees the sacrifice of my fasting. I know that He has my answer. I just want it now. I don't want to wait another day, another month, another year of this person's life. I want freedom for him now!
I know God has a plan, and I know it is in the works. I know my answer is on the way. I do not know what causes the delay, so I wait impatiently. And in my impatience, I so want to take control of what is not mine to control. I take a deep breath and pray: My ways, are not Your ways, Father. My plan is not Your plan. YOUR plan, O Lord, is not better; it is best.
Just help me to wait on it.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Is Anything too Hard for the Lord?
I've drawn a circle in the sand, much like Honi, the eccentric sage of first century BC Jerusalem. In a drought-ridden land, Honi took a risk, drew a circle in the sand, and prayed to Almighty God for rain, saying he would not leave the circle (or stop praying) until God poured down liquid relief from the heavens. In a beautiful move of God, rain quenched the thirsty land.
I, too, am thirsty. I am thirsty for God to move in a miraculous manner; I am begging Him to move where only He can move and move like only He can move. HE has my answer, and like Honi of old, I'm not going anywhere until this prayer is answered.
My prayer is a big one. No one, including me, would ever have thought to pray this particular prayer. In fact, my prayer started small: salvation, freedom, and restoration for someone close to me. It really isn't a small prayer, but compared to the one I am praying now, that one was tiny! God showed me last night that I wasn't praying big enough, bold enough prayers. He wants to do something amazing (miraculous even), but I had to step up and take a risk.
I drew a circle, placed his name in it, and claimed the victory for this new thing--salvation, yes; freedom--yes; restoration--yes. But, now I am praying that this person will preach the Good News, and he will work with those who have addictions, showing them the way to freedom.
I've been waiting for thirty years for the answer to my small prayer. I have a feeling (a peaceful feeling) that the answer to my big new prayer is just around the corner.
No one else could do this. No one else would even think to pray this prayer for this fellow. God told me to pray boldly. When it is accomplished, everyone will say, "This is from God!"
Is anything too hard for the Lord? No. There is nothing that God can't do. This truly will be miraculous! And I can't wait to have a front row seat.
I, too, am thirsty. I am thirsty for God to move in a miraculous manner; I am begging Him to move where only He can move and move like only He can move. HE has my answer, and like Honi of old, I'm not going anywhere until this prayer is answered.
My prayer is a big one. No one, including me, would ever have thought to pray this particular prayer. In fact, my prayer started small: salvation, freedom, and restoration for someone close to me. It really isn't a small prayer, but compared to the one I am praying now, that one was tiny! God showed me last night that I wasn't praying big enough, bold enough prayers. He wants to do something amazing (miraculous even), but I had to step up and take a risk.
I drew a circle, placed his name in it, and claimed the victory for this new thing--salvation, yes; freedom--yes; restoration--yes. But, now I am praying that this person will preach the Good News, and he will work with those who have addictions, showing them the way to freedom.
I've been waiting for thirty years for the answer to my small prayer. I have a feeling (a peaceful feeling) that the answer to my big new prayer is just around the corner.
No one else could do this. No one else would even think to pray this prayer for this fellow. God told me to pray boldly. When it is accomplished, everyone will say, "This is from God!"
Is anything too hard for the Lord? No. There is nothing that God can't do. This truly will be miraculous! And I can't wait to have a front row seat.
Thankful Thursday
I have a friend from high school who unexpectedly lost her husband just a few days before Christmas. His funeral was to be on Friday, the eve of Christmas Eve. On Thursday she posted, as she always does, her Thankful Thursday list. It struck me that even in her grief, she had much that made her grateful--one key piece being the last nine-and-a-half years being married to her "love sweet love".
Today is Thursday. It is Thankful Thursday for me too.
What are you grateful for? Here's my list.
1. I am grateful for Christian writers who hear the voice of God and obey Him. I am where I am in my life's journey because of those countless writers who have poured into me with their revelations from God.
2. I am grateful for the promises of God! That is a biggie! I am holding tight to the promise that He has a plan for each of us, a plan that is beneficial to us and not harmful. I am holding tight to this promise for loved one, that understanding would come and give birth to new life in Jesus. Jesus isn't giving up on my loved one, and neither am I. I pray daily.
3. I am forever grateful that I can pray! I am so humbled that I can pour my heart out before God on His throne, and He bends down to listen to me.
Who am I that He is mindful of me? I am His created, His beloved. And for that I am grateful.
Have a blessed Thankful Thursday.
Today is Thursday. It is Thankful Thursday for me too.
What are you grateful for? Here's my list.
1. I am grateful for Christian writers who hear the voice of God and obey Him. I am where I am in my life's journey because of those countless writers who have poured into me with their revelations from God.
2. I am grateful for the promises of God! That is a biggie! I am holding tight to the promise that He has a plan for each of us, a plan that is beneficial to us and not harmful. I am holding tight to this promise for loved one, that understanding would come and give birth to new life in Jesus. Jesus isn't giving up on my loved one, and neither am I. I pray daily.
3. I am forever grateful that I can pray! I am so humbled that I can pour my heart out before God on His throne, and He bends down to listen to me.
Who am I that He is mindful of me? I am His created, His beloved. And for that I am grateful.
Have a blessed Thankful Thursday.
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