Guest Post: Amy's Prayer Warrior Journey, Vol.5

Friends, I asked Amy to share five posts with us, so today is the last installment of Amy's Prayer Warrior Journey. Please show your appreciation in the comments section! Thank you.

And would you prayerfully consider sharing with us yourself?  It doesn't have to be weekly. You can share whenever the Holy Spirit puts something on your mind. He will guide you. Consider that sharing with us will give you some accountability as you get started on a daily prayer journey.  If you are interested, please e-mail me at christine4431(at)ymail(dot)com  

Amy's Prayer Warrior Journey, Vol. 5

Christine's call to begin praying every day has been such a blessing to me. The Holy Spirit spoke through her writing to call me back to a structured prayer time. As I've mentioned before, for whatever reasons, I had let my prayer/devotion time slip away. I remember telling my husband I didn't even know what to say when I did pray. 

At the time, I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and full of complaints. I felt as if I was drowning in my life. I knew I needed to spend time with God, but just didn't know how to begin. Christine reminded me of the ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) acronym to use as a guideline. That was so helpful as I committed to begin praying each night at Christine's encouragement. 

 

At the beginning, I adhered strictly to the ACTS outline.  It helped me stay focused and prevented me from just going before the Lord with my needs/concerns.  That time of adoration was so beneficial and I realized I had been leaving that out.  

During the first few weeks, God taught me so much just through my prayer time.  I was able to remember his goodness, faithfulness, awesomeness, and truly see all the blessings in my life.  As the weeks went on it was so good to spend time quiet before the Lord, praising Him, sharing with Him, and having anxiety relieved.  

Now, as I pray, I don't have to be so strict in the way I pray.  As Christine has noted in her posts, the Holy Spirit begins to reveal things to me that I need to pray for.  Because I am praying consistently, I am able to pray for more people and repent of sins quicker than before.  

I would encourage everyone to set aside time, even a short amount of time, to pray daily.  It is such a blessing! 

Here are links for Vol. 1, and Vol. 2, and Vol. 3, and Vol. 4

Guest Post: Amy's Prayer Warrior Journey, Vol. 4

Here are links for Vol. 1, and Vol. 2., and Vol. 3

When Trials Come.....

This past week was a difficult week emotionally.  First, my girls and I were in a car accident.  Everybody involved was fine, our insurance will cover the repairs, and my girls recovered quickly from the scare.  We had to talk about it many times in order for them to process, but it did allow us the opportunity to praise Jesus for keeping all involved safe.

Second, my grandma, who is 96, is slowly passing away.  It is very difficult on my mom, who is basically the only child to really help my grandma, out of the four total children.  I talk with my mom daily and I know the loss is weighing on her.  I simply don't know how to help or what to say. I feel the loss too. My grandma was so important in my life.  She and my mom were the ones who led me to Christ and taught me how to live as a Christian.  My grandma never had much all of her life, but she was the most positive, joyful person I have ever met.  It is difficult to say goodbye.

Then, my husband got some news that left him feeling extremely saddened and emotional.  He needed support, patience, and understanding.  

All of this, added to my everyday stress of keeping up the house, caring for the kids--one who follows me everywhere--and trying to prepare for my part-time summer job, left me exhausted. 

.....He Is My Comfort, My Strength

My comfort and help came from the Lord.  Not to say that I handled all of the above situations appropriately at all times.  But, I am thankful for my relationship with Jesus, which grows and develops so much through my times of prayer.  I am thankful I have Him to go to for forgiveness, comfort, understanding, and strength.

Guest Post: Amy's Prayer Warrior Journey, Vol. 3

Here are links for Vol. 1, and Vol. 2.

Staying Focused

I have noticed that since praying consistently, I don't get as sidetracked as I used to.  

Talking With the Father Brings Peace 

Some nights there are certain things on my heart that I really need to bring before the Lord and "talk" with Him about.  Before beginning consistent prayer, I would sometimes not pray very much about things that were on my heart or bothering me.  Now, I know I have a designated time and I can just be still before the Lord.  I have more peace.

The Spirit Teaches, Humbles

This week the Spirit revealed to me, on more than one occasion, my critical spirit.  I believe that because I am spending more time with the Lord, I am hearing his voice more often, whether from reading the Bible, talking with my husband, or reading Christian blogs.  The Lord has revealed to me that I should not judge people (family, friends, or strangers) for their actions or decisions, but show grace and forgiveness as He does to me.  Because I was seeing this in myself, I was confessing, repenting, and noticing a change in my thoughts and feelings concerning others.  This has been something the Lord has shown me over many years, but this past week, I noticed that I was judging other Christians for being judgmental and critical.  I was angry that Christians would act like that.  The Lord called me to confess, provide grace to my sisters in Christ, and realize that they are God's "work in progress" just like I am.  Once again, my judgemental attitude had crept in. 

Ever Thankful for Him

I am so thankful for Jesus'  guidance and forgiveness.

Guest Post: Amy's Prayer Warrior Journey, Vol. 2

To read Vol. 1 of Amy's Journey, click here.


Hearing the Spirit

Continuing my prayer this week, I've realized how much easier it is to hear the Spirit speaking to me because I have put time into my relationship with the Lord--praising Him, thanking Him, and asking for help.  

This week the Spirit has revealed to me that I need to ask to be filled with the Spirit each night and morning and throughout the day.  I can tend to be a perfectionist and want to do things in my own strength.  The Lord has revealed this to me before, but it's a continual struggle.  

For His Glory

What's even more important is that I ask to be filled with the Spirit so I can do all things for HIS GLORY.  This was an ah-ha moment for me when I read one of Christine's posts and then heard it again at church Sunday morning.  I want to be a good wife, mother, sister, and friend, but I believe I was thinking of it in a more self-centered way.  I wanted to be better, more like Jesus, because then I would feel better, but it's not about me, it's about HIM.   

I heard the Spirit speaking because I made the time to listen. 

I must admit that one night I did not pray.  I really don't know why other than I was tired.  After I pray each night, I feel a sense of peace that often gets lost throughout my day of caring for children, the house, and some days, going to work.  I often forget to pray during the day and my scheduled prayer time brings me back to God.  I can't figure out why I would choose to skip praying because it was a choice.  I just didn't pray one night.  At all.  

I was so filled with anxiety the next day.  I struggle with anxiety at different times.  Change of seasons or other big changes seem to bring it on.  It's probably related to hormones too.  My anxiety often leads to fear, which is such a difficult thing to deal with.  I need to pray and read the Bible to help me gain the right perspective.  I know anxiety and fear are not from God.  He is not communicating to me through these feelings.  

Experiencing His Faithfulness, His Grace

When I spoke with my husband about my feelings, he asked if I had prayed about it.  The answer was "no."  I can't explain why I didn't other than my sinfulness, pride, selfishness.  I ended up praying earlier that night as my husband watched over the kids....because I needed the Lord's help.  This prayer was not as structured, but Jesus answered my prayer and my fears were relieved.  

I continue to pray for help in this area.  I am so thankful that Jesus always forgives and loves me, not for my actions, but by His GRACE.

Backyard Birding - Guest Post

Yesterday Paul wrote about keeping kids focused using a simple graphic organizer.  Today, Peter teaches us how to begin a backyard birding hobby.

Backyard Birding

Hello. My name is Peter, age nine. I would like to tell you about backyard birding.

Paul and I brainstormed all the reasons you might want to have this as a hobby:

- The birds are very pretty.
- God made the birds and you will think of Him.
- You and your kids will learn about bird behaviors.
- You and your kids may learn about nesting and how birds care for their babies (if you get nesting birds).
- You will learn that God made each bird and bird egg different from the others.  There are many colors and sizes and designs.
- You will be able to relax from watch the birds.

To get started, you will need to gather some materials:

- Hummingbird feeder (fill with sugar water)

- Finch feeder for small birds like chickadees, house finch, purple finch, and goldfinch.

- Tube feeder if you have squirrels in your yard (it will say squirrel-proof on the package)

- Wild bird seed (With sunflower seeds in it.  We went to a feed store because it was cheaper.)

 - Suet block and a suet cage to put it in (just a few dollars) to attract woodpeckers.