prayer – God's Word Girl

unAnswered Prayer

We’ve all been there. Just as the believers of old who used to lay themselves across the altar crying out to God, we know that we”prayed through”, and the answer is on the way. This happened with my mom when she asked the LORD for a son. She knew that she knew.

When she showed the “going home” outfit to a couple of aunts of mine they asked, “What are you going to do if it’s a girl?”

“Well,” she says, “if it’s a girl I guess we’ll have to buy another outfit. But it’s going to be a boy.”

Sure enough it was my brother, and he weighed over 8 lbs., just what she requested so that Dad would be proud — not that he wouldn’t have been otherwise. In hindsight, says she smiling, if she knew what she was asking for, she wouldn’t have requested such a large baby 🙂 .

There are times we hear from the LORD, like I did with Foxy in the post It is Settled.

What about those times when we know that we prayed through … and yet we don’t see the fruition of those prayers? What about those times when we’re so sure we’ve heard from the LORD, and yet the words that dropped in our hearts don’t materialize before our eyes? I admit to having been befuddled during such times.

A friend directed me to this video and it was of great encouragement to me. I hope you will take the time to watch it now.

Wasn’t that encouraging? In those times when I feel like my praying through flopped or that my word from the LORD really wasn’t, doesn’t mean it won’t come to pass. I was empowered thinking that just because I don’t see the expectation to my prayers come the way I think or in the time or fashion that I believed for doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. It very well could have happened for someone else. And just because I continue to wait doesn’t mean that it won’t happen for me. Isn’t it marvelous to think that God is using our personal pain and our prayers in our own battles to be conduits to answer the prayers of others? It removed the mantle of befuddlement and discouragement that tried to cover me and drag me down. Our prayers are effective and mighty to the pulling down of strongholds! (James 5:16) I was jubilant, thinking that even when I do not see what I’m expecting in the fashion or time I’m expecting, someone somewhere is benefiting from my prayers. The how and when I see the answers in my life is up to God. The point is, His intentions toward me are good and in Him all of His promises are Yes and Amen.

If the first video blessed you, you may want to take the time to watch this one as well. In fact, maybe take time to digest the prior content of today’s post before moving forward with this one. Meditate. Pray. Seek the LORD. God is on the move. I don’t know about you, but I want to be in on it. Please join me for believing for the impossible because with God all things are possible.

.Let us not grow weary in well doing, especially in our prayers (Galatians 6:9).

Dear LORD, There are people reading this today, watching these videos, and they may be as discouraged and befuddled as I have been, and afraid to proclaim Your word to them and their expectations. Lets us no longer be discouraged or feel weak and defunct, You are God Almighty and You abide in us. When we do not see what we have heard or believed for in the manner or time we think, continue to let us be encouraged by the thought that our prayers are going forth like waves across the earth and You are answering prayer. You are awesome, mighty, and so wonderful to us. Let us proclaim with confidence today that our faith is the substance of the things we hope for, that we will see those things for which have believed if we do not lose heart. And in the meantime, someone, somewhere, is reaping the benefit of the seeds of our prayers; let us be glad and encouraged by that. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lamentations — If Only it Was Just a Book in the Bible

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A friend and I were lamenting and confessing things to each other recently. Back and forth we volleyed as only those who know each other best can do. Suddenly, I burst out laughing.

“What?” she asks. “I want in on it.”

“God loves me anyway,” I laughed, “ugly and all.”

Yes, my attitude that day was ugly, but the laughter changed that; it triggered joy and conversation on the goodness God poured out on us. I hate complaining. I hate to hear myself complain. There are those couple people in my life who must see my ears as garbage cans because they regularly make dumps. I hate to hear them complain as well.

The truth is, people are going through some awful circumstances lately. There are days when it feels like the walls are caving in; you’ve had them, I’ve had them, and often times if we’re not currently in that situation, we’re crying out to God for those we know who are. There is no one else to whom we can go. And yet …

I see that note I had tacked up so long ago: Complain only to God … and in moderation.

I’m not saying don’t share your griefs; we are called to bear one another’s burdens. But face it, we usually know when we crossed the line from, “Please, HELP!” to “Have I got something juicy to complain about to you!” The first brings relief, the second adds to the landfill inside. Know what will cleanse the second? Laughter and praise, and it does a quick work.

Here’s another tip: When we find our minds filling with the kind of darkness that brings on depression, get in the Word. One cannot stay depressed while in God’s book for therein lies our Hope. Want proof?

“Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” Romans 15:4 NLT

“Scriptures give us hope and encouragement…” These are the scriptures I highly recommend to help pull us up out of the mulligrubs:

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT

I know, I’ve used this verse before and often, but it bears repeating over and over again. It goes perfectly with the first scripture; we will learn God’s will for us, which is pleasing and perfect, by being in the Word. And the best things to think about while we transform our thoughts from the commotion and tidal waves all around us?:

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT

Isn’t that good stuff? I don’t want to be the old, complaining, whiny person that I used to be. I don’t want to suck the air out of a room at my appearing, I want to be full of hope and encouragement, the reflection of the Son when I walk into a room. Further, I want my mind to be consumed with positive thoughts and the Word which is teaching me God’s will and what is good.

It all begins with knowing we are loved — at least that’s where it begins for me. In times past, lamenting and complaining would put me into an, “Oh, God, forgive me! I’m not worthy!” state. And then I’d be self-condemning and focus on my failure for a period time which wasted precious time. There are times to ask Holy Spirit to lead us in a self examination, to see if we have veered from the right path, but it oughtn’t lead to groveling and mindsets that put us at arm’s length away from God. It ought to lead to repentance and restored sensitivity to His Presence. That day with my friend, I caught myself and remembered God loves me even during my rants. Joy came up inside for His patient enduring with me, blessings upon me, and never failing me.

Dear Reader, are you in a difficult place right now? Are you distracted with the waves crashing all around you and the fire surrounding you? (Or know someone who is?) Then let us pray:

Father, I thank You that You love me — even and especially when I don’t deserve it. When man would pull away, You come alongside. You see the waves all about, you see the walls of fire, yet I am reminded in Your Word that when I go through the waters I will not drown and when I walk through the fire I shall not be burned (Isaiah 43:2). You have not failed me yet; You will not begin to do so now.

I repent of worry and complaining and exchange them now for trust in You and praise to You for You are worthy. You will see me through; whether it is to testify as to how You walked with me in the midst of it all or how You snatched me up from the midst of it all. One way or the other, I will triumph. I wait for Your direction and look expectantly for Your deliverance.

Thank You. I love You.

Amen.

Thanks for joining me today as we turn our minds and our hearts back to the Word and our mouths to praise.

F.Y.I.

Photo by @jgabriel_j Jou00e3o Gabriel on Pexels.com

Tomorrow is A Day of National Repentance. I would have let you know sooner but I only discovered it today. If you want more information, it can be found by going to the link below. If it says it can’t find the page, click on “see more posts” and the printed version will come up.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/january-30-24

If that doesn’t work, and you’re interested, the informative post can be found by searching givehim15.com. The date will be January 30, 2024 and the title is A Sense of Urgency. It can be read or watched. The event takes place in DC and can be joined online by texting the word “prayer” to 67742 or go to NGPR.org. from the eastern time of 7:30 a.m. to around 1:30 p.m.

I thought it timely as I was reading a prayer of repentance for the people of Israel, (which could easily be transcribed for us), in Ezra 9:6-15 only yesterday. Tears streamed down my face as I thought how far down the road the United States of America has gone from the LORD. We may not be rejecting the LORD, but at some point and time we must join together and repent on behalf of those who are; tomorrow seems to be the day. We pray for we have hope for our nation, and no one whose hope is in the LORD will be put to shame (Psalm 25:3).

Whether you see this in time to participate or not, it is never too late to pray.