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Philippians 4:6 & 7
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything,
but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving,
continue to make your wants known to God.
And God's peace shall be yours,
that tranquil state of soul assured of it's salvation
through Christ
and so fearing nothing from God,
that peace which transcends all understanding
shall guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
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A number of years ago I was having breakfast with Darcy and our server happened to be a friend of ours. Even though she was busy, she had a moment to tell us of a powerful word given by the Holy Spirit through a woman at her Bible study the day before. It was a word picture of a large tornado and God's encourgement to stay in the center of the "eye" of the storm, keeping hearts and minds focused on Him and not on the confusion.
She did not know it but I, too, had a similar picture just weeks before and it had lingered in my mind and spirit. She had my full attention. The picture I had seen earlier as I was in prayer, was that I stood in the eye of a large tornado. As I looked, certain objects and faces began to show up clearly in the swirling wind and debris. Some objects were small and some were school bus size. The Lord impressed on me that as He showed me different things He was asking me to pray over each thing that He revealed according to His leading. It was during that time that He began to teach me how to draw from His Word; how to pray and to sing in the Spirit, lifting Him up in worship in His Majesty and Authority. He began to teach me how to bind the works of the enemy and to release the kingdom of heaven upon the earth through His Word.
I am still learning. Now, weeks after surgery and recovery, I find myself deep thinking and asking God to show me His will for my life in the everyday and to lead me daily. Especially now that I have been given a fresh new beginning, I am aware of a greater purpose. There has been a change in me. One that I cannot shake, nor want to. I just don't know what to do, exactly. I am aware of a new sense of passion and a deeper love for the Lord and for others around me and in our world. Prayer has suddenly become a passion. Talking with the Lord has become so important to me. Well...I know why... I can tell you why...it is because of the time I have spent with Jesus in the past weeks. He has shown Himself to me in a fresh way through the trial. He heard the cries of my heart and He answered me. He delivered me and saved He me from trouble. He showed me that He was near to me as I was broken hearted. (Psalm 34) And that He reminded me that He is a tender healer today as He was in the stories of the Bible...He became my healer in my personal story. He has been opening my eyes wider to see with a greater understanding of how important prayer is to Him. That He wants us to talk with Him and tell Him our needs; share our heart with Him and He with with us.
It has been difficult to keep my eyes off of the confusion. My heart has been greatly grieving over the hurt in our nation and in our world the past few days. You can't get away from it. It's on the news, in the paper and in conversation. Many people are hurting and in tremendous need right now. Some on a large scale and some on a very large scale. The pictures of the recent devastation from earthquakes and tornados makes my heart hurt. I can't even imagine the loss. I find myself wanting to ignore it because it is so very overwhelming. Often I feel helpless to help. I have been asking God to help me respond. He is (that's why I write this) and my heart cries out to Him each day for different situations that He lays on my heart. I realized I can't ignore things. I won't ignore. He is shaking the heavens and the earth. We need God desparately to intervene! We need Him. We need His help. We need to pray. I have decided it is the most important thing in my life right now.
The Royal Wedding brought a surge of hope to me. Darcy and I were deeply touched by the prayer that Prince William and Kate composed together. We were even more moved by Kate's brother's reading of the scripture. It was purposeful and powerful. There was a change in the air. I am asking and believing God for revival in England. I pray that their nation will be blessed by the choices made through this young couple of tremendous influence. Oh, how I loved the way they invited everyone to sing the hymn's together! Watching everyone sing from inside of Westminster Abby and throughout the streets was amazing! They lifted up the name of Jesus well.
I have become sharply aware of our nation's need of a fresh touch with God. Seeing and hearing the gospel spoken plainly on international television during the wedding made me long for such a testimony in America. It makes me weep to write. We are in great need of revival. I have been talking to the Lord about this. I have been crying out to Him, reminding Him that we will parrish without Him if He does not change us. He knows. He is asking us to focus on Him in these times of distress and trials, in our overwhelming circumstances, disappointment and loss. There is great hope in calling out to the Lord! There is great hope in praying His word. His love is at all times towards His people. His eyes are looking for our eyes. Did you know that?
2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong
on behalf of those whose hearts are loyal to him...
I am writing this because my heart is heavy with the knowledge of our need of the Lord. Maybe God has already been stirring you to pray and perhaps this is to encourage you that you are not alone. Sometimes I feel alone in prayer. I miss coming together and praying at longer intervals and waiting on the Lord and worshiping Him together. Maybe God is preparing a new season that will gather us in prayer once again? I hope so.
As you read this, maybe your heart is too heavy to pray? I have been there, dear friend. And it was the prayer of others and of Christ Himself (Romans 8:27) that lifted me up when I was too weak. Perhaps you have been knocked down and you are in need of a miracle? He is standing beside you. His arms around you. Yes, it is true. He has not forsaken you. I am praying for you this moment. He hears the quiet whispers. Let your requests be made known to Him.
Nothing is too difficult for Him.
I believe the trials set before us are to strengthen us and not to bring destruction if we will put our trust in Him. If there are difficulties you are facing, I believe with all my heart the trial before you is to reveal His power and love on a personal level. He knows your name. He wants you to know that He knows it. It is not a fairy tale. He has created you with purpose and has a plan for your life and for your loved ones to give a future of hope.
There is an old saying:
"They who watch for the providence of God
Will never lack the providence of God to watch for."
Let us set our water jars out in the presence of God's rain.
Come and fill us, Lord. Oh how we need You.
Habakkuk 2:1
I will stand on my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what He will say to me.
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