There is a lot of crap going on with people that I love lately and its pissing me off. I've been trying to pray for them, but I also have found myself feeling resentful towards those people and situations that are hurting them. I got this email from Leanne about trusting in God, and the way that he can provide before we even ask, or at least that He can prompt someone to act in a way that will help us long before we even have the need.
"Before they call, I willanswer" (Isaiah 65:24)
Its supposed to be a chain mail letter, but I hate sending those and I usually automatically delete them, but the prayer really struck me, and is something that I do want to do a better job of praying for my friends and family- and I should also include even those who are NOT a loved one, for I have also been learning about the principle of praying for my enemies and those who persecute me. So, I hope that if you read this prayer that you too will take up the challenge inherant in it.
Father, I ask you tobless my friendsreading this right now. I amasking You to minister totheir spirit at this verymoment. Where there is pain,give them Your peace andmercy. Where there is selfdoubting, release a renewedconfidence to work throughthem. Where there istiredness or exhaustion, I askYou to give themunderstanding, guidance, andstrength as they learnsubmission to Your leading.Where there is spiritualstagnation, I ask You to renewthem by revealing Yournearness, and by drawingthem into greater intimacywith You. Where there is fear,reveal Your love, andrelease to them Your courage.Where there is a sin blockingthem, reveal it, andbreak its hold over myfriends' lives.Bless their finances, givethem greater vision, and raiseup leaders and friendsto support and encourage them.Give each of them discernmentto recognize theevil forces around them, andreveal to them the power theyhave in You to defeatit. I ask you to do thesethings in Jesus' name."
The email also contained a quote that illustrates something that I am trying to put into practice right now. Stacie has recommended "The Barbarian Way," a book which talks about the epidemic of conformity and passivity in American Christians. I feel like people, myself included, have gotten stuck into a rut, or looked toward ability to "act right" as a sort of counterfit holiness, as opposed to really seeking real heart transformation.
"Do not ask the Lord to guideyour footsteps if you're notwilling to move yourfeet."
"Before they call, I willanswer" (Isaiah 65:24)
Its supposed to be a chain mail letter, but I hate sending those and I usually automatically delete them, but the prayer really struck me, and is something that I do want to do a better job of praying for my friends and family- and I should also include even those who are NOT a loved one, for I have also been learning about the principle of praying for my enemies and those who persecute me. So, I hope that if you read this prayer that you too will take up the challenge inherant in it.
Father, I ask you tobless my friendsreading this right now. I amasking You to minister totheir spirit at this verymoment. Where there is pain,give them Your peace andmercy. Where there is selfdoubting, release a renewedconfidence to work throughthem. Where there istiredness or exhaustion, I askYou to give themunderstanding, guidance, andstrength as they learnsubmission to Your leading.Where there is spiritualstagnation, I ask You to renewthem by revealing Yournearness, and by drawingthem into greater intimacywith You. Where there is fear,reveal Your love, andrelease to them Your courage.Where there is a sin blockingthem, reveal it, andbreak its hold over myfriends' lives.Bless their finances, givethem greater vision, and raiseup leaders and friendsto support and encourage them.Give each of them discernmentto recognize theevil forces around them, andreveal to them the power theyhave in You to defeatit. I ask you to do thesethings in Jesus' name."
The email also contained a quote that illustrates something that I am trying to put into practice right now. Stacie has recommended "The Barbarian Way," a book which talks about the epidemic of conformity and passivity in American Christians. I feel like people, myself included, have gotten stuck into a rut, or looked toward ability to "act right" as a sort of counterfit holiness, as opposed to really seeking real heart transformation.
"Do not ask the Lord to guideyour footsteps if you're notwilling to move yourfeet."
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