A Prayer Warrior?
What a glorious Thursday morning! The sun is shining and Pikes Peak is absolutely beautiful. It snowed yesterday, so I can almost see it glitter..the sky is that clear.
I wanted to talk a little about prayer. I have never been one to go into my "prayer closet." Since I began working in a ministry, I have come to know that term quite well. But, I never had one before, other than kneeling beside bed when I was a kid, and I didn't even know where the darn thing was!
I have been struggling with some issues and realized I really needed to give it up to God and was told the best way was to go find my very own closet. Even I knew long ago I needed to give these things away, I didn't want to (I am the typical control freak). So, I found my "prayer closet" and went to work. Don't get me wrong - I have always been faithful and trusting and figured if it was in God's will it would happen sooner or later. And, when I did pray, it was usually brief and to the point. No sense rambling, right?
Let me fill you in on something. My sister had been with this guy for over two years. He's really a good guy, but she's been with a lot of duds in the past who have never committed, so she isn't one that is driven to be committed.
Anyway, after having some visitors from Africa for a week, they insisted we go to the World Prayer Center to check it out. I had never been. It is actually really neat. They are open 24/7 (and in this city, anything open 24 hours is a rare thing to find). Anyway, I was praying with them for various things; safe flight home, friends and family in Africa, and for my sister. (They had previously asked about any siblings I had, so I did fill them in. And, of course, they asked all of the "hard" questions.) They also told me I needed "power prayer" for her. I had never really considered this. I always left power prayer for the desperate situations. Like when someone was on their deathbed and such. And, even in my power prayer, there sure wasn't much power. Anyway, once we walked into the Center, the guys split away to pray in their corners, so I did the same. I was surprised by my intenseness in prayer. I prayed mostly for my sister... I have never seen wham-bam kinda results from prayer in my life, so I was not expecting any.
The next night we were all bowling (which was absolutely fantastic since the guys had not ever seen the sport) when my cell phone rang. It was my sister...and she was now engaged! We all celebrated the good news.
I had decided that there really is power behind prayer. Since then, I have visited the Prayer Center numerous times during each week. One of my friends has been in the ICU for a week after having numerous surgeries. She was on a ventilator and sedated so her body could heal. Things were not looking good, nor were they expecting to get better. I lifted her up in extensive prayer and the following day received word that she had been taken off the ventilator and the doctors were letting her wake up to heal. To say the least, I am humbled. I think of all the things I cast out because I figured little ole me couldn't make a difference.
Have you ever had one of those times where God goes, "You think you know it? Well, watch this!" It has been one of those months. A lot in my life has changed, and it is all for the better. Now note: it's not for the EASIER, it's for the better. There aren't many things that are for the better that make your life easier (at least in the moment).
I think I have needed to be open for His suggestions for a long time and was cutting off the most vital way he is able to give them to me. Makes me wonder what things might have changed if I had started listening a long time ago. But, I know better because living in the land of "if only" can kill ya.
I wanted to talk a little about prayer. I have never been one to go into my "prayer closet." Since I began working in a ministry, I have come to know that term quite well. But, I never had one before, other than kneeling beside bed when I was a kid, and I didn't even know where the darn thing was!
I have been struggling with some issues and realized I really needed to give it up to God and was told the best way was to go find my very own closet. Even I knew long ago I needed to give these things away, I didn't want to (I am the typical control freak). So, I found my "prayer closet" and went to work. Don't get me wrong - I have always been faithful and trusting and figured if it was in God's will it would happen sooner or later. And, when I did pray, it was usually brief and to the point. No sense rambling, right?
Let me fill you in on something. My sister had been with this guy for over two years. He's really a good guy, but she's been with a lot of duds in the past who have never committed, so she isn't one that is driven to be committed.
Anyway, after having some visitors from Africa for a week, they insisted we go to the World Prayer Center to check it out. I had never been. It is actually really neat. They are open 24/7 (and in this city, anything open 24 hours is a rare thing to find). Anyway, I was praying with them for various things; safe flight home, friends and family in Africa, and for my sister. (They had previously asked about any siblings I had, so I did fill them in. And, of course, they asked all of the "hard" questions.) They also told me I needed "power prayer" for her. I had never really considered this. I always left power prayer for the desperate situations. Like when someone was on their deathbed and such. And, even in my power prayer, there sure wasn't much power. Anyway, once we walked into the Center, the guys split away to pray in their corners, so I did the same. I was surprised by my intenseness in prayer. I prayed mostly for my sister... I have never seen wham-bam kinda results from prayer in my life, so I was not expecting any.
The next night we were all bowling (which was absolutely fantastic since the guys had not ever seen the sport) when my cell phone rang. It was my sister...and she was now engaged! We all celebrated the good news.
I had decided that there really is power behind prayer. Since then, I have visited the Prayer Center numerous times during each week. One of my friends has been in the ICU for a week after having numerous surgeries. She was on a ventilator and sedated so her body could heal. Things were not looking good, nor were they expecting to get better. I lifted her up in extensive prayer and the following day received word that she had been taken off the ventilator and the doctors were letting her wake up to heal. To say the least, I am humbled. I think of all the things I cast out because I figured little ole me couldn't make a difference.
Have you ever had one of those times where God goes, "You think you know it? Well, watch this!" It has been one of those months. A lot in my life has changed, and it is all for the better. Now note: it's not for the EASIER, it's for the better. There aren't many things that are for the better that make your life easier (at least in the moment).
I think I have needed to be open for His suggestions for a long time and was cutting off the most vital way he is able to give them to me. Makes me wonder what things might have changed if I had started listening a long time ago. But, I know better because living in the land of "if only" can kill ya.
posted by Nic at 10:37 AM
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