Prayer and intercession instead of fretting and worry. Very different outcomes!
This is what I posted on my Facebook wall. It surprised me how many people responded in some fashion to the phrase. But I shouldn't be surprised. It came as the outcome of a struggle I was having. I was frustrated that I continued to think about a person and pray for them. It was strange as I found myself praying more for this individual then my own child.
At one point I was so frustrated with myself, at my tears that wouldn't go away. Throughout the day...tears. I was crying again but this time I began crying out to the Lord to take the burden away if I was just obsessing. I was missing them in our families life; I knew they were struggling spiritually; yet, I knew God was at work and this was His best. I was questioning my own motives. Was I just trying to manipulate the Lord into giving me what I thought was best? Was I reacting to the heart break of my own child? Was I just being sappy? What was going on? Then I heard the whisper..."You are not needlessly burdened. You are interceding on his behalf." Exhale. Calm. Peace. Understanding.
I continued to pray as I moved through my days. Then a few days later I received information that helped me to more fully understand the necessity of prayer in his life.
Prayer can be a burden. I awoke early this morning with the spiritual nudge to pray for him. Psalms 30, 33. I gathered my Bible and began to sit in my chair..."No get on the floor" came the whisper. I sat on the floor in front of the couch, Bible open to the Psalm...head on my open Bible as I began to read and pray the Psalms. I ended on Psalm 34.
I prayed this for him, "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles." Psalm 34:17
The Lord heard me. The Lord will hear him as he prays.
The difference between prayer and intercession compared to fretting and worry. The Lord's actions. Very different outcomes! I don't know what the Lord's outcome will be...but I know that he is good. I know that my prayers can help fight the spiritual battles. I know the Lord rescues.
The difference is the outcome- nothing vs rescue. I choose prayer without ceasing.
This is what I posted on my Facebook wall. It surprised me how many people responded in some fashion to the phrase. But I shouldn't be surprised. It came as the outcome of a struggle I was having. I was frustrated that I continued to think about a person and pray for them. It was strange as I found myself praying more for this individual then my own child.
At one point I was so frustrated with myself, at my tears that wouldn't go away. Throughout the day...tears. I was crying again but this time I began crying out to the Lord to take the burden away if I was just obsessing. I was missing them in our families life; I knew they were struggling spiritually; yet, I knew God was at work and this was His best. I was questioning my own motives. Was I just trying to manipulate the Lord into giving me what I thought was best? Was I reacting to the heart break of my own child? Was I just being sappy? What was going on? Then I heard the whisper..."You are not needlessly burdened. You are interceding on his behalf." Exhale. Calm. Peace. Understanding.
I continued to pray as I moved through my days. Then a few days later I received information that helped me to more fully understand the necessity of prayer in his life.
Prayer can be a burden. I awoke early this morning with the spiritual nudge to pray for him. Psalms 30, 33. I gathered my Bible and began to sit in my chair..."No get on the floor" came the whisper. I sat on the floor in front of the couch, Bible open to the Psalm...head on my open Bible as I began to read and pray the Psalms. I ended on Psalm 34.
I prayed this for him, "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles." Psalm 34:17
The Lord heard me. The Lord will hear him as he prays.
The difference between prayer and intercession compared to fretting and worry. The Lord's actions. Very different outcomes! I don't know what the Lord's outcome will be...but I know that he is good. I know that my prayers can help fight the spiritual battles. I know the Lord rescues.
The difference is the outcome- nothing vs rescue. I choose prayer without ceasing.
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