Hello to my prayer friends. This month has indeed been one to increase my faith that my prayers are heard regardless of the answer. As a young Christian, I began using a prayer journal and was quickly overwhelmed by the task of keeping up with it. How do you record so many prayers and still keep praying!?! Well, I had to look that monster in the face before I could move ahead this month. How could I record prayers and answers without diminishing my relationship with God to a "yes" or "no" answer? The answer is relationship and faith.
My primary goal is to be in relationship with God; to bring my praise, thanks, needs, and concerns before him and to be assured that he is in control. One of my first prayers for this challenge was to ask the Lord to increase my faith in all things and to help me see life from his perspective rather than mine. He has been faithful to answer that prayer. I do believe the intent of Philippians 4: 6-8 is that our faith is increased as we trust God in all situations. Even those we have created ourselves.
My second request in this challenge was to see God moving and working through my prayers. I had some very specific requests for God and he has answered very specifically. Our topic this month of taking off the old "man" and putting on the new has challenged me to look at my attitudes and thoughts and ask if I represent the God I so long to know and serve. I have many answers on that topic and am humbled that God loves me so much that he will quickly point out my own personal needs when I ask for insight.
My third request of God was for my own faithfulness to my prayers when the answers don't come quickly. We are at times battling against spiritual entities and forces in this world meant to keep people blinded and hurting so they cannot know the love and power of God (see Ephesians 6). My prayer journal includes many people that I will bring before the Lord until progress is evidenced by changed lives through the work of God. Some will battle for years but we trust that God is faithful.
Overall, this month has been astounding as I watch God work all around me. My prayer times have been intimate and exciting as I focused on being with Him and trusting that he hears me. Praying believers stand in the gap for others and prove the love of God every day by their faith. Journaling insights and answers to prayer has become exciting and faith-building. I hope your month was the same. We can move forward this year knowing the faithfulness of God at work in all things.
Many blessings,
Carol
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