Tag Archive | Prayer

Praying for Freedom

Mar26

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Many years ago I was in an emotionally abusive relationship. That relationship robbed me of self-esteem, confidence and hope. When some days seemed darkest a sliver of light peeked through and with that light the promise of renewed hope and possibilities.

During my emergence from that pit it was necessary to get a new car. I selected a 2000, 4-door Acura Integra that I named Freedom. Freedom allowed me to come and go when and where I pleased. Along with an orange stuffed prayer bear we traveled from one end of the country to the other. There were several failed theft attempts to remove her from my life and a late night tussle with a deer that caused a rattle and wheeze that can still be heard.

Through it all Freedom has been such a blessing in my life! When she became our only vehicle, I admit to harboring a smidgen of doubt as she is getting up in years but daily we covered her in prayer and placed her and our safety in God’s hands.

Freedom’s radiator began hissing smoke on the way home the other day and again I prayed and again God delivered us home safely. i am so thankful that God always allows me to see His love and hope in situations that appear

1994-2001 Acura Integra photographed in USA.

1994-2001 Acura Integra photographed in USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

dire and I know that by continually trusting God all things will work out as He sees fit.

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Homecomings

Feb8
prayer.. 46 The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock!
   Exalted be God my Savior.  Psalm 18:46  (NIV)

Last night and this morning I worked on the blog post for today.  It was going to be awesome!  On the third editing the Holy Spirit told me to go back to my previous posts, which I did.  Imagine my surprise when I realized that with different words, I had written that blog before.  I hit save, closed my eyes and prayed, “Lord, what is the word YOU have for me for today?” 

Praise, Praise, Praise!!  See, this is why I don’t rely on myself!  I have such an awesome praise report!  My Daddy went home on Monday night!  Before Christmas I flew to be at his side because the doctors did not expect for him to survive.  For months since folks have been praying for his life to be spared and for his healing to continue and God’s hands surely have been all over Dad!  The prayers for his healing are ongoing but he will be able to be able to keep convalescing at home, sleeping in his bed and eating food that he enjoys, ok maybe not all the foods he enjoys!   As I replay the events of the last several months, I stand again in awe of the power of prayer and the faith of so many who repeatedly and faithfully put their trust in the God who has healed us all at one time or another!  To God be the glory great things He has done!

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Nugget Mining

Feb7

9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez,[a] saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.  1 Chronicles 4:9-10

What?!!!  You mean I could have prayed and asked God to keep me from harm so I could have been free from pain?!  Somehow I missed that nugget back when the “Prayer of Jabez” was all the rage a few years back and I was reading/praying it.  I distinctly and clearly recall reading and praying to have my blessings and territory increased.   Yet, blindly glossed right over the last phrase.  Yes, I asked God to keep His hand with me, but feebly figured that since I lived such a b-o-r-i-n-g life the harm and pain portions would wait or lacked merit.  WRONG!!!

Months, than weeks and years filled with one misstep, mistake monumental blunder or error in judgement after another that kept me on the fringes of pain.  Harm not so much, but pain…buckets full.  Oh wait, it was buckets full of tears shed because of the pain.   My nugget mining days had not yet begun and I believed that if God allowed the hurt it must have been for my own good.   I did not stop talking to God, but there were days where the exchanges were less than cordial and my reverent tone was definitely missing.  More than one the utterance of “Come on, God!”  escaped my anguished lips.   The sought after increase of territory, well it did finally appear, but prosperity it seems was not what I truly desired.  God knew that in order for my territory to increase I needed the pain, moments of despair and doubt in order to be ready to serve.   Through those lessons came the willingness and desire to humbly and unconditionally love and help others.   Again, I have arrived at the realization that we are here to mine nuggets that will later enrich and help the lives of others. 

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Do With me as You Will

Feb2

14 As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right. Jeremiah 26:14 (NIV)

In this day, no lofty witty words,

    No laments, no deep insights, no sage advice.

Today, I pray.

     I pray for that will of God, that deeper understanding of what it is He would have for me to do, speak, write and how to live!

Kneeling Praying God Clip Art

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Silent Praise

Jan26

Silence is praise to you, Zion-dwelling God, And also obedience.  You hear the prayer in it all.  Psalm 65:1-2 (The Message)
 
Sometimes I am quiet.  Nothing wrong, yet I am struck dumb, wordless, mute but not without racing thoughts and juggling considerations.  There are just some days when I must seal my lips and give offerings of silent praise.  Many times I am silent because I am overwhelmed!  When I think about how incredibly awesome God has been to me, my loved ones and those I call friends, the paths He has led me down, the blessings sent my way and let me not forget the answered prayers… tears of gratitude, trickle then  flow, unchecked.  This praise offering must be silent because I have no adequate of words.  At those times,  I know nothing my simple mind could string together could convey all the feelings that I have for all that God has done, my gratitude and love.  This is one of those days and on this day it is with that spirit that I know God hears and accepts the silent praise offered!!!
 
Make His praise glorious!

Ree

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Safety with the Shepherd

Jan6

 4 Even when the way goes through  Death Valley,   I’m not afraid
      when You walk at my side.   Your trusty shepherd’s crook   makes me feel secure. Psalm 23:4 (MSG)

The 23rd Psalm has been oft-repeated by me in the last four weeks.  Each time I said a prayer or put Dad in God’s hands rather than worry, it would pop to the forefront of my mind.  I woke up today praying and planning to write an incredible blog, but no words came.    Riding in to work I was literally searching the sky for a word, any word.   

Yet, when I received word that the surgery scheduled for today was beginning several hours early, my first knee-jerk, daughter impulse was to panic.  “What, huh, wait it’s early, why??”  these and other valid questions assailed my thoughts as I kept tryng to call my sister.  Finger hovering over the buttons, the Holy Spirit spoke and I was commanded to calm down and pray.   As I closed my eyes and offered up a prayer,  a blanket of c

Psalm 23 is often referred to as the Shepherd'...

Image via Wikipedia

omfort and calm washed over me.   “Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me. You have a walking stick with which to guide and one with which to help. These comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (NLV)   God is in control and for that reason alone, I am at peace.  His comforting hands are over every situation and that alone allows my spirit to soar in praise.  Dad is truly in the best possible hands and I also praise God for the skill and talent of his doctors as exhibited over these weeks.  To God be the glory!

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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