Today is my 24th wedding anniversary. Ten years ago I wasn’t certain we’d reach our 14th.
Two weeks before, my husband came down the hall wrapped in a blanket telling me he had terrible stomach pain. I immediately called the paramedics. The next afternoon he had emergency surgery for an abdominal “pocket” that had filled and abcessed. His doctor proclaimed it a “textbook case.”
My anniversary gifts that year…to have him alive, home, and recuperating. What more did I need?
Thank You, Father, for the partners You’ve sent to us. May we never take them for granted and pray for them daily. In Jesus’ name, amen.
I think we all are guilty of taking our loved ones’ for granted. Sometimes a life-threatening medical emergency like my husband’s reminds us again of how much we love and appreciated our spouses. Why not take a minute today to let your spouse know how thankful you are for them?
*If you’d like to read the entire story, here’s the link: http://www.2theheart.com/april1_05
Since I only had five minutes to get my cat in his carrier and leave for the vet, I checked the caller ID. I saw my good friend’s name, so I picked up the handset.
I heard tears in her voice as she greeted me. My heart sank. What was going on? I waited impatiently for her to tell me.
The clock was ticking. Only one minute before I needed to leave. At that moment, it was more important for me to pray with and for my friend than to get to my appointment on time. I’d call the vet’s office to let them know I’d be a few minutes late.
“Let’s take a minute to pray,” I said.
I could hear the relief and calmness in her voice when I finished.
She then said, “I’m so grateful you’re my friend. It means so much to me to know that I can call you anytime about anything. I’m most grateful for your prayer support.”
My heart soared. She’s told me that before, but it was good to hear again.
Thank you, Father, for all friends but especially women who are sisters of the heart. Thank you for the privilege of coming to you on behalf of others knowing that we are helping to ease their burdens. In Jesus’name, amen.
Are you known as someone who prays? Do people call, write, or email asking you to share their prayer burdens? Even if you’re not called to be an intercessory prayer warrior as I am, I hope you’re known as someone who prays and is willing to pray for others.
For many years, one of my sisters-in-law laughed at my Christian stand and dedication to prayer. But, to her credit, she did call to request prayer for a family member with cancer. Why? Because she knew I would pray.
I hope you have the privilege of upholding someone’s burdens in prayer today.
Are you like me and sometimes take the power of technology for granted?
On the prayer line this afternoon, I prayed with a woman who had multiple requests.
I listened to her obiouvs pain, and then prayed.
I knew she needed to enlist others to pray for her requests, so I did something I don’t always do. I offered to put her requests on the website. I explained to her that people all over the world would be praying for her requests if I posted them.
Excitement and awe were in her voice when she responded positively. It was mind-boggling to her that someone on the other side of the world would pray for her after seeing her requests posted on a website.
She was also amazed that the 1-800 number she’d called had rung half way across the country from me and then was forwarded to my phone 1,200 miles away.
I’m glad that she and I experienced some positive uses for technology. Sometimes it seems we hear and experience too much of the bad.
Thank You, Father, for ever-changing technology. May these inventions be used for You and the furtherance of the gospel and Your kingdom. In Jesus name’, amen.
For a number of years, I’ve volunteered on a telephone prayer line. I so benefited from having people pray with me the years I was a shut in, I wanted to do the same for others. When an opportunity came along to become a volunteer, I applied, trained, and was assigned a time slot.
Occasionally, I’m a little down when I go on the line. However, by the end of my hour, my mood has changed and my attitude is more thankful.
I hear so many heartwrenching stories. I could let them pull me down even more, but instead it makes some of my problems seem insignificant by comparison.
Thank you, Father, that we have the privilege of praying for others, knowing that it will not only help them but us. We thank you that Your answer is the best one. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Help lift someone’s burden by praying for them today, and, if you can, tell them you did. Sharing that you’ve prayed will encourage them and help turn the tide of someone’s day. Wouldn’t it be gratifying to know that?
As a girl, my most fearful times happened when I stood before my class reading an assigned piece. I remember my legs feeling jelly-like as I made my way to the front, the paper shaking in my hands, and my pounding heart resuming a more normal rhythm after I sat down
These ordeals helped prepare me to feel more comfortable in front of people. They also gave me more confidence to try out for cheerleading in junior high and a select vocal group in high school.
Yes, I was afraid, but I tried anyway…with positive results.
Thank You, Father, that You will help us when we are afraid. May we always remember to ask for Your help. In Jesus’ name, amen.
When you’re afraid to try something, do it anyway…with God’s help…after you ask Him for itt. You might be surprised at the positive results just as I was
One Tuesday night a church friend called and asked if I would lead the women’s prayer group the next evening. The schedule called for two groups—men’s and women’s. She couldn’t be there, and she wanted me to take her place
Shocked, I almost dropped the phone. I couldn’t imagine why she was asking me. An excuse didn’t come to mind quickly, so I said yes.
Worrying and fretting about it the next day, I realized my behavior was ridiculous. All I needed to do was gather the women in the designated place, ask for additional requests, and close the session in prayer. Yes, the more I thought about it, I knew I could do that.
Thank You, Father, that we are put into new situations that help us grow and develop our gifts. Thank you for friends who nudge us in the right direction, even before we realize we need it. In Jesus’ name, amen.Often our gifts are those things we naturally do; things we are comfortable doing.
Perhaps someone will see a gift/ability in you that you didn’t know you had. When faced with a challenge like mine, do what is asked. It may be the first step to development of your unrecognized gift.
As I became a more regular church goer, I started to attend Wednesday evening prayer meetings. Sometimes prayer requests were called out, and several people would stand to pray. At other times after the requests were taken, we broke into groups of 3 or 4.
I tried to get in a group where I knew only one person. That way I could get to know others. It also helped to get to know their specific,often heartbreaking, needs. The ones they felt comfortable sharing only within the group.
Once I knew what they were going through, I learned to be more accepting, meeting people where they were, just as God does for us.
Thank you, Father, that You meet us at the point of our need(s). We ask you to meet those need(s) in the way You know will be best for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.Do you know someone you could help today by praying for them and/or doing something tangible like sending an encouraging email/card/note, or stopping by for a short visit? I know you’ll both be glad you did.
As I learned more about prayer and continued to pray daily, I learned more about the other answers to prayer.The first was an immediate yes, and I received what I asked for.
The second was no. However, I didn’t always know that was the answer, thinking the answer might come later.
The third was maybe…the hope that maybe the answer is on the way.
Prayer can be likened to the parent/child relationship…At times a parent will immediately give the child whatever is requested. Sometimes, a parent will say no for now and forever. Other times, the no may be for now but with a parent’s insight might be given down the road.
God’s responses are like that. In His time or not depending on what is best for us.
Thank you, Father, that You give or withhold answers according to what You know is best for us.Can you learn to wait for God’s answer if it doesn’t come immediately? Try to. The wait will be worth it.
The steps (and stops) of a good man are ordered by the Lord… Psalms 32:8 (KJV)
As I continued on my prayer journey, I learned that just because I didn’t get an instant answer or the answer I wanted, didn’t mean God wasn’t answering.
We live in a materialistic, instant gratification society. When we want something, we want…and expect it…NOW.
But that isn’t always the way prayer works.
One morning I heard a sermon on the above verse. However, in parentheses the pastor added two words to it (and stops).
Yes, those two words make a difference. Even though we expect an instant answer to our prayer(s), God knows that sometimes sending the answer right away isn’t what it is best for us. At that particular time, whatever it is might be harmful to us, so He doesn’t give us what we asked for immediately. That is disappointing, but in retrospect we may thank Him later.
Father, thank You that You love us so much that at times you withhold answers when it’s for our own good even thought we may not see it at the time. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Are you waiting for an answer to one of your prayers? This could be the stopping place you’re in. Keep praying…and watching for the answer…in His timetable, not always ours.
My new friend and I sat in a rowboat in the middle of the lake chatting and getting to know one another better. I shared about a book I was reading about prayer, my latest interest. The author said prayer was just talking to God. We could talk to him like we talk to family and friends.
The idea, although foreign at first, made sense. God loved me, why wouldn’t he want me to talk to Him? I’d also heard the pastor of the church I’d started to attend pray that way.
Since Linda learned to pray that way as a little girl, she knew what I meant. She also knew I needed to practice talking to God, so she turned the tables on me. She wanted me to pray…right then, right there.
Stunned, I started to mutter and stutter why I couldn’t, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer. She kept after me until I agreed. I started out slowly and uncertainly, intimidated that I was talking to the God of the universe, out loud in front of her. It became easier as I continued.
Thank you, Father, that You love us and want us to talk to You about everything that’s on our heart. In Jesus’ name, amen. May we learn to bring everything to You, not just our requests for something.
When did you pray the last time. This morning? Yesterday? A month ago? If it has been awhile, why not start again? If you’ve never prayed, now would be a good time to start on your own prayer journey.
