Into a Life of Prayer; A Journey, Part 5

This week we'll take a short break from our analysis of the Lord's Prayer and cover: 


Unanswered Prayer & Intercessory Prayer

Thirty-five days into a consistent prayer habit, a sobering fact rings true in my life.  Prayer doesn't necessarily change painful circumstances.  We can pray faithfully for something for a long time, but God's answer may not change. We may still get a disappointing no. 


Unanswered prayer is hard, but we must always submit our hearts to God's will as we pray--whether His will matches our desires or not. The journey itself, though painful, may be the point.  It may bring the greatest good for us and for His Kingdom.  


For a long time I've prayed for peace in our home.  As regular readers already know, both my son and my husband suffer from ADHD, with my son having a few other letters as well. Having one in a home with a neurological disorder is hard enough......but two?  It's downright un-peaceful, especially when the two of them clash.  They don't have, and may never have (even if medicated), the same level of self-control most people manage.  Not ever approaching normalcy--and the success that brings--can be terribly frustrating.


Consistent prayer hasn't changed anything associated with ADHD.  It is still an ugly and cruel disorder.  My husband and son are still frustrated and angry 50% - 70% of the time. Regular failures--sometimes only perceived--still gnaw away at their self-esteem.  


And the rest of us still wish they could hold it together.


In my heart, I know it's all about the journey our family is on; I'm not angry or resentful about unanswered prayer.


What Prayer Does Do


Unanswered prayer notwithstanding, something significant and lovely does come through a prayer habit.  Something more valuable than the removal of hardship. Guaranteed, every time.  Through intercessory prayer, to be exact. 


Intercessory prayer is (quote found here) "praying with the real hope and real intent that God would step in and act for the positive advancement of some specific other person(s) or other entity."

Another definition, found here:  "Intercessions are coming to God with boldness and speaking with him about others. The heart of the biblical meaning of the word intercession is boldness. Don't forget that God is asking us to come to him with boldness! We can have the assurance that if he asks us to come boldly, he desires to answer our prayers."


Consider Charles Spurgeon's words, regarding the blessing of intercessory prayer:

"I commend intercessory prayer, because it opens man's soul, gives a healthy play to his sympathies, constrains him to feel that he is not everybody, and that this wide world and this great universe were not after all made that he might be its petty lord, that everything might bend to his will, and all creatures crouch at his feet."

When we pray for others consistently, we get over ourselves.  Our spirits rise above our circumstances.  Life can still be hard, but we're given the gift of peace......peace that comes from a heavenly perspective.

More on intercessory prayer found here and excerpted below:

It is best to always be aware that you never really pray alone. For when the honest love in you for other people causes you to ask God to strengthen, heal, defend, change, or bless them, there is someone else praying with you : the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is leading you to pray. When your love is not whole or your mind is not clear, the Spirit steps in for you, to express the intercession and draw you into it. (emphasis mine) Christian intercessors over the past two millenia have prayed their intercessions in a 'Trinitarian' manner : to the Father, through the Son, and in and with the Holy Spirit. God isn't fussy about the pattern, but it helps us to see some part of how God works in prayer.

I've found that no matter how tired I am, no matter how much I'd like a drink or a snack, or to switch the laundry, it doesn't matter.  I am drawn into the intercession, and it is never a chore, no matter the hands on the clock.  I am blessed by it. Downright energized, in fact.

Another perk I've noticed?  My love for those I'm praying for increases, through no act of my will!  I don't set out to love the Body of Christ more--it simply happens.  It's another gift from the Holy Spirit.

How Do We Start?

Intercessions should cover current difficulties, of course, but we also think in broader terms.  What does the Bible say about their role in life?  Are they single?  Married?  A parent? A child?  A widow or widower?  What does Scripture require of them?

We pray...

...according to Scripture.

...according to God's will.

...that their Christian walk would be strengthened.

...that they would avoid temptation.

...and finally, we incorporate their own requests.


So my friend, now that you know......when will you start reaping and spreading the blessings?

Links for earlier posts in this prayer series are here:   Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

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.

pick-your-own farms

I included this as a post script on my strawberry farm post, but for feed reader people, I am including it here again.  To find a U-pick farm near you, check this website.

strawberry farm

I dressed my clan in red.

And took them to.....

a lovely strawberry farm for berry picking!  

 My friend "Sally", with whom I taught first grade in California, was visiting Ohio for a cousins' reunion (we see her once a year, because she has family near us).  We were blessed to have her meet us at the farm with her sister and brother-in-law.  She now lives in Washington state and travels to Africa for short-term mission trips to orphanages, where she teaches reading.  She is in the States until August.  Regular readers might remember that she brought me to the Lord fourteen years ago--answering all my questions and leading me into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  She continued to answer my questions and study the Bible with me, and mentor me, for two years.

She has had many hardships in her life, including infertility (she adopted two newborns), the suicide death of her husband, the death of her first grandchild from meningitis, wayward children, ovarian cancer, and widowhood for going on twenty-something years.  And yet, she has the joy of the Lord!  An incredibly inspiring person.  I asked her spiritual questions because I saw in her something I wanted......peace, joy, contentment.  Praise the Lord for people like my friend!

My only wish is that I had a prayer warrior in my midst, holding me accountable all these years. How the Body of Christ needs that!  If we could pair everyone in the Church with an accountability partner, how fast we could defeat Satan!  Most of the time, I really think he wins, sadly.  If someone would simply be bold enough to say, "How is the study and prayer going?" we would all work harder to have a good answer, the next time they ask (which would hopefully be often).  The Christian walk goes nowhere without a life-long study and prayer habit....one that doesn't have fits and starts, but is truly consistent.

We saw many Amish farms, Amish buggies, Amish clothing hanging on clotheslines.  This strawberry farm is not owned by the Amish, but it does partner with them, selling their vegetables in their farmer's market, and employing many young Amish people.

As I drove through the area, contemplating the simplicity with which the Amish live, I wanted to be Amish.  But that feeling died fast when I saw many Amish girls in the fields, picking strawberries in the humidity with their polyester dresses and thick stalkings on.  Oh, my!  I wilt fast in heat, which commonly happens to those of us with fairer skin.  We need more water, more shade, and can feel sick quickly when temps climb.  God protects our skin by having us react more strongly to the sun, IMHO. ( It's not that we're wimps!)

There was a petting barn at the farm also.

My little ones were troopers, picking lots of strawberries, and enjoying the whole experience.

I wish I could say we came home with seventeen dollars worth of delicious berries.  But, well....no.  Most are quite sour.  :(      We'll have to mix them with sugar, I'm afraid.  But the experience, the fellowship...all that was wonderful!


For a U-pick farm near you, check this website:    

praying for mothers

Yesterday, for Father's Day, I offered my husband/father prayer list.

It might have occurred to you (it did to me)....but what about the mothers.....the women?  Don't they deserve prayer from the Body of Christ?

Yes!

But I wasn't far enough along in my prayer warrior journey around Mother's Day to write a prayer list befitting the Christian mother.  Having prayed for wisdom, I now have a list to help me pray more specifically for all the mothers in my life--family and friends and acquaintances...and you, dear reader.  May it encourage you to write your own, so you can strengthen the Body of Christ.

In a group of 70 Christians, there may only be a few prayer warriors.

Won't you be one of the few?

How is the prayer going, friend?


Our Father, I pray these things for my mother friend _______________:


- That she will be saved, if that is not yet a reality.


- That she will develop a consistent prayer habit.


- That she will go to you for wisdom, for comfort, for strength, and not be swayed by the world.


- That she will lead her children in devotions, when her husband can't (or won't?).


- That she will guard her tongue.


- That she will serve her family with grace and gladness and thanksgiving.


- That she will submit to her husband's leadership, being thankful for what he provides.


- That she will pray for her husband and children daily.


- That she will be content in her circumstances.


- That she will have at least one godly woman encouraging her in the ways of the Lord, holding her accountable for a prayer life, for Bible study, for keeping her marriage bed pure.


- That she will use her resources wisely and unselfishly, being a good steward, so she can bless her church and the less fortunate.