Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Good morning, Rise and Shine friends!
Seriously, I am on a roll with writing.
I am really trying to write more…because you know the old saying…”use it or lose it!”
So, here we are. :)
At the beginning of this month, I wrote to you about prayer being the focus this year.
How is that going for you? Are you finding it gets easier or harder to pray each day?
I know some days are better than others, it is just true.
There are scriptures that help me pray, and I would love to share them with you.
Not too long ago, my son Joseph had a huge test.
He studied for weeks and weeks.
The night before his test he did not get much sleep. At all.
He called me as he was heading to school and said, “Mom, I did not sleep well. I probably got about 3 hours of sleep. But, Mom, I know you always pray that God will triple my efforts in all I do. So, instead of getting 3 hours of sleep, I actually got 9 because of your prayer!”
I was speechless!
Not only did Joseph remember that I was praying for him, but he believed that God was going to answer that prayer. Whew!
My momma heart was soaring!
For the record, he did great on the test!
It truly is the greatest honor to pray over others…there is nothing like it.
Jesus teaches us often by His example. Getting up before sunrise to pray, going off to lonely and desolated places to pray. He is the best Teacher for us!
Now, thankfully, we don’t have to go off into the wilderness to pray, well, unless you just want to.
We can pray all the time, anywhere!
His Word tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing.”
That is a lot of praying! But, goodness, the power of prayer is just like none other!
Miracles unleash.
Peace rushes in.
Healing takes place.
Restoration begins.
Joy replaces sorrow.
Sometimes, we just need a little kick start in our prayers.
I want to share with you some scripture that has greatly helped me to pray for my loved ones through the years.
When someone needs to do well on a test, or sports event, or job interview…
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us (insert loved ones name); establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17
And Jesus (insert name) grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52
When someone needs peace that surpasses all understanding…
May the God of hope fill you (insert name) with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace! Psalm 29:11
When someone is sick and needs healing…
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
“He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Matthew 8:17
When needing direction in a big decision…
A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. Proverbs 16:9
The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. Psalm 37:23
When anxiety and fear overwhelm a loved one…
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27
These are just a few of a boatload of scripture we can pray on behalf of loved ones!
Also, I write down all of my prayer requests over others. I put them in a prayer journal and on my phone.
This is so helpful to remember to pray and to be able to date that prayer when the answer comes!
Prayer changes us. Prayer changes people. Prayer changes everything.
I think the cool thing about prayer is that it seems so….pointless.
It is a complete reliance on God.
It is literally “walking by faith and not by sight!” 2 Corinthians 5:7
This world is often upside down. The things that seem so trivial and mundane are often the big things in God’s Kingdom! God would not tell us to pray if it did not work.
Jesus would not have spent hours and days fasting and praying if it did not work.
Prayer works.
Trust Him to hear you.
Trust Him to act.
Trust Him in all of it.
Be persistent in prayer.
Keep asking.
Keep knocking.
keep praying,
jill
