A Valuable Gift

I recently saw this quote - "Prayer is the most valuable gift you can give someone."  My heart said a hearty amen to that!  It's so true.  I am continually filled with gratitude for the prayers of so many dear ones around the world that have generously and faithfully prayed for me over the past years of trials.  They are truly a precious gift to me.  

I keep thinking that the Christmas season is a perfect time for miracles, so I'm praying for a few!

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  Hebrews 4:16

I have certainly needed grace in my recent time of need.  God has been faithfully with me.  I'm so grateful to Him.

Don't Stop Praying

I can't believe we're already at the end of Jan.  This new year is flying by!

I shared last week about God's wonderful, often miraculous, provision of meeting our needs.  I have been so blessed to get responses from many of how God has met their needs.  He is truly a generous, faithful, caring, loving, giving Father who is mindful of our every need.  He knows every detail of our lives, and provides for us in detail.  How awesome He is!

I was visiting with some friends recently.  We were discussing "big" things we're praying for - and how sometimes we don't see the answers right away.  Sometimes there is a "persistence" that is required in our prayers - for days, weeks, months, years.  An unanswered prayer doesn't mean God hasn't heard or is unconcerned.  His ways and His timing are often, usually even, different to ours.  Our place is to keep lifting those prayers to the throne.  God is listening!!  He is mindful!!

Shortly after our discussion, my friend sent me a song called ‘Don’t Stop Praying’ by Matthew West.  It so ministered to my heart!  Keep praying.  Keep believing.  Amen and amen.

As a sweet confirmation - I was looking for something in a file and came across some notes of prayers I had prayed long ago.  My heart was encouraged to see how many of those prayers had been answered.  Seeing the list - and the results - gave my faith a fresh boost.  I will definitely keep praying for things on my heart now!!  And I'll be watching for the answers from our "prayer answering God!"

"And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him."  1 John 5:14, 15

I've sometimes read that verse and wondered if my prayers are "according to His will."  Well - we know God wants to heal, He wants to draw people to Himself, He wants to provide for us, He wants to help us with the problems of daily life caring for us more than He does the sparrows......so I think our prayers are most likely to be according to His will.  I doubt that we pray selfish prayers!  I also tell the Lord that I know He sees my heart and I trust Him to answer in the best way.

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."  John 15:7

"Pray without ceasing."  1 Thessalonians 5:17

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."  Philippians 4:6

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved."  Psalm 55:22

I am so grateful that we serve a prayer answering God.  I could visit with you for hours and hours proclaiming prayers God has answered.  I strengthen my faith by recalling what God has done in the past as I "don't stop praying."

Prayer Carries Us Along

I recently saw a video clip of a family of elephants crossing a small river.  There was a very young elephant among them, and it was struggling to cross.  It  kept being swept away by the rapidly moving current.  The mother elephant was right with the baby trying to help it along.  Every time she seemed to make progress, the strong current of the river defeated her.

Then the most wonderful thing happened.  Most of the elephants had already crossed the river when they realized what was happening with the baby.  They all turned around and came back to help.  One particularly large elephant came to help the mother.  Between them they managed to protect the baby with their big legs and push it along to the other side. 

I watched the video several times.  What struck me was how they looked out for each other.  Even though most of them had made it across to safety, they didn't hesitate to turn around and get back in the river to help the mother and baby in need. 

I had the thought that this is what so many people are to me.  I'm like that baby elephant.  When I'm "floundering" in the river I can call out and ask for prayer.  I'm so grateful for that!  I know I can call for help whenever I need it.  Time and time again dear ones have rallied and prayed for me.  I’m so thankful!!!  

When I ask for prayer in my weakness I very often get so many lovely messages of support and prayer.  This is how it should be for all of us in the Body of Christ.  My situation is just one small example.  Through Floyd's 5+ years of illness I sensed the prayer support from so many faithful ones.  I'm so grateful.  I haven't felt alone because I've known people were praying for me/us all around the world.

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."  Galatians 6:2 

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."  James 5:16 

"Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees."  Hebrews 12:12

"With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."  Ephesians 6:18 

"Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.  We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives."  Colossians 1:9 

"Is any among you afflicted?  Let him pray.  Is any merry?  Let him sing psalms."  James 5:13

I could never have made it through the raging rivers the last few years on my own - even the recent days.  Prayer has truly carried me along.  I'm so grateful.