"Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship." Dr. Thiene
For most of my adult life I’d never had a close friend – until I met Rosemarie. When we lived in the same town we’d often meet to visit over a cup of coffee. Now, though miles separate us, I call her, and we take up where we left off.
Our friendship is a source of satisfaction and joy.
While our human relationships can be joyous, there is no closer friend than Jesus.
First thing every morning I talk to Him. Many times during the day I ask for His advice.
I tell Him how I appreciate what He’s created, like the trees and flowers. He’s the last person I speak to at the end of the day.
But Jesus wants to take our friendship a step further. He has said, “ ‘Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete’” (John 16:24).
What do you need from your friend Jesus? Courage to continue in a job you don’t like? Strength to discipline unruly children? Wisdom to manage a confusing business? Don’t let life’s problems rob you of joy. Talk to Jesus and receive His help. Know the full joy of His friendship.
Dear Jesus, we know you want us to have great joy in this life; the joy that comes from asking and receiving from You! Thank you for giving us the blessing of knowing, loving, and following You today and every day that You give us here, until we get to go Home and be with You forever. We love You, Jesus! Amen!
Day 29 - WHEN YOU PRAY (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"Prayer is the golden key that opens heaven." Thomas Watson
Even though we were a small choir with limited musical ability, we decided to work on a special presentation for Christmas. But a week before the program some of our number became sick. Then, on the morning of the program, I received a call. “It snowed here last night. The mountain pass is slippery. We can’t make it today.”
In spite of setbacks the program was given, but it was not a good performance.
After the program, Mr. Turner, a member of the congregation, said, “Tremendous presentation! Never have I heard such beautiful Christmas music.”
My mouth dropped. What had he heard? Did something happen to the music between the time it left our mouths and entered Mr. Turner’s hearing? A miracle perhaps?
When it comes to prayer, miraculous things do happen after your stammering lips send a prayer heavenward. God hears your prayer. “The Lord will hear when I call to him” (Psalm 4:3). God is touched with your need. “When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry’” (Luke 7:13). God acts on your behalf. “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).
THE BOTTOM LINE: Though our prayers may seem weak, God’s hand is moved when we pray!
Day 28 - FIRST, PRAY (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"We ought to act with God in the greatest simplicity … imploring His assistance in our affairs, just as they happen." Brother Lawrence
Our daughter spent close to one hundred dollars for a new brand of makeup that included cleansers, fresheners, and creams. After two days’ use her usually flawless skin was covered with a fine, red rash. She took the products back to the store.
“What did you use as a makeup remover before?” the salesperson asked.
“Vegetable shortening,” Jenny replied.
The salesperson refunded her money and suggested she continue to use shortening.
In life’s crises you may have overlooked the simple and obvious. You’ve tried a new psychiatrist, a new vitamin, a new food. You’ve read self-help books, looking for answers. All along you’ve overlooked what is at hand and available – prayer. “But in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).
This action is followed by a promise. “and the peace of God … will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
After prayer, God may guide you to other people and sources of help.
But first, pray.
THE BOTTOM LINE: In each dilemma, our first plan of action is to ask for God’s advice and help.
“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint …” Psalm 61:1-2
Day 27 - PRAY WITH CONFIDENCE (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"He invites us to come boldly before Him, but never arrogantly." R. C. Sproul
Fifth-grader Kristen came home clutching a piece of music. “Mrs. Jamison gave me this flute solo for the festival. But, Mom, it’s too hard.”
I looked at the music and agreed it would be difficult for a child with less than two years’ training. “Tell the teacher you want an easier piece,” I said.
The next day Kristen came home with the same music. “Mrs. Jamison said, ‘Kristen, you can do it!’” she repeated the teacher’s words as if they were the gospel truth.
Confidence is necessary when attacking any task, including prayer. The Bible encourages, “let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
This confidence is not because of your worthiness, but because of Jesus. As a Christian, you are under His bloodstained banner. He is also the One who pleads your cause before God. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
If you look inward, you will shrink from God. But when you come to Him on the merits of Jesus, you can pray confidently.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Jesus is our source. Through Him we come boldly to God.
Day 26 - WHY SHOULD I SAY THANKS? (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"Thanksgiving is a duty before it’s a feeling." Anonymous
I crept out of bed, careful not to disturb my sleeping husband.
Moving slowly down the hall, I felt my way along the wall in the darkness so I wouldn’t awaken the children.
Tonight I had some heavy praying to do. At the top of my list was our daughter, Jenny, caught in the web of an eating disorder.
Two friends also had children with serious problems – one, a son in prison; the other, an unmarried daughter, pregnant at sixteen.
“Dear God,” I prayed, “please deliver Jenny …” Then I stopped. An impression deep within seemed to say, “Give thanks …”
“For what?” I asked aloud. “People have died from eating disorders."
But the urge to express thanks to God lingered. In obedience, I again bowed my head. “Thank You, God. You are greater than any eating problem.” And so it was with every need. I don’t know how long I knelt in prayer that night, but I didn’t ask God for one thing. I only expressed thanks.
When burdens press heavily and you go to God for help, begin with thanksgiving. You’ll change your focus from the problem to God, who is your faithful, all-sufficient Provider.
THE BOTTOM LINE: We begin our prayer time by thanking God that He is greater than the difficulties we bring to Him. Always. He is the Great Provider, knowing everything we need, even before we ask. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Almighty and everlasting Father.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. Psalm 136:1
Day 25 - CHANGING LOCATIONS (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God." William Carey
A dieffenbachia plant stood in our bedroom by the window. Despite my best efforts to water and fertilize, all that remained of the plant was one green stalk with a few sickly yellow leaves.
“That’s it!” I told the plant one day. “Out you go!” I picked up the pot, intending to dump it into the garbage. By the living room window I stopped. Maybe what this plant needs is a change of location, I thought. That day the dieffenbachia found a new home, and from that time on it began to flourish.
Like the plant, your prayer life may need a change of location.
Picture prayer as three circles, one within the other. The small, inner circle represents prayers for yourself and family. The middle circle stands for acquaintances and friends you remember in prayer.
The largest, outer circle depicts a broader scope of prayer—for world situations, governments, needs beyond your setting.
The Bible says, “First of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority…” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Does God want you to stretch yourself, to move to another level in prayer?
Lord God, Heavenly Father, sometimes we get caught up in our little circles, praying for what seems to be (in our minds) closest and most important to us … and forgetting about the bigger picture; Your world. Help us, as we pray, not to focus only on ourselves and our personal situations and those close to us, but also those that are far away. Holy Spirit, convict our hearts and open our eyes to the needs of missionaries, government officials in our country and abroad, and peoples of foreign lands so that we pray for those needs, as well, on a consistent basis. Be with everyone everywhere, sending multitudes of Your holy angels to guard and defend Your children. Work in the minds and lives of kings, presidents, rulers of the lands that they will follow Your ways and not any others’. Help everyone seek peace, hope, and joy in You, the One true God. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications … be made … for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Day 24 - THE SERVANT’S PRAYER (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"To pray … is to desire, but it is to desire what God would have us desire." Francois Fenelon
Five-year-old Nathan stood on a chair, watching me cook. As I removed a kettle from the stove, I warned him, “Don’t touch the burner. It’s hot!”
Instead of obeying, he placed his hand flat on the burner surface.
The result was a red, painful imprint of the coil on his hand.
The apostle Peter called himself a “servant of Christ Jesus.” So are you. And what do servants do? They obey their Lord by saying, “’Not my will, but yours be done’” (Luke 22:42).
The Bible is brimming with examples of what happens when you don’t have a “servant’s heart.” When the Israelites cried to God, insisting on their own way, God “gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease upon them” (Psalm 106:15).
Insisting on your own way in prayer makes for a shallow, selfish Christian woman. Be aware that while God’s will is the choice route, it may not be easy. When Jesus prayed this prayer in Gethsemane, it meant a cross.
You don’t have to preface every prayer with “not my will,” but have a heart of a servant, accepting of God’s will.
THE BOTTOM LINE: In each petition we bring to Him, we ask God to help us accept His will.
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8
Day 23 - KEEP IT SIMPLE (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"Talk to the Lord in simple, everyday speech. He understands English." Norman Vincent Peale
“I don’t have Christmas presents to give, and everyone else does,” six-year-old Ann complained as her mouth turned into a pout.
“You could make presents,” I suggested.
Ann grabbed a glue bottle, a ball of yarn, and a box of felt-tip markers and disappeared outside.
In a half hour she was back. “I’ve got all my presents made,” she said. “And they’re all a surprise!”
On Christmas Eve Ann presented family members with rock people, complete with yarn hair and eyes dotted on with markers. The idea had become so simple when she just did it.
Prayer, too, is simple but sometimes we make it hard. We read books on the subject. We talk about prayer. We say we should do more of it.
It overwhelms us. We lack confidence in our ability to pray effectively.
Jesus said, “‘When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father’” (Matthew 6:6). Get alone and make sure you close out distractions.
Pour out your heart to God in earnest, sincere prayer. Like Ann’s homemade Christmas gifts, make prayer happen!
THE BOTTOM LINE: Today we enter into a new realm of prayer – we will simply do it!
Day 22 - FORGIVE QUICKLY (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"Prayer does not change God,
but it changes him who prays." Soren Kierkegaard
Jesus miraculously caused a tree to dry up from the roots.
He then assured His amazed disciples that they could get the same astounding results. "'Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours'" (Mark 11:24).
Then He added, "'When you stand praying ... forgive'" (Mark 11:25).
After such a glorious promise, why this word of caution?
Because Jesus knows you may be tempted to be unforgiving. A hurtful word is spoken, a thoughtless act is done, and you hold it to your heart. You nurse a grudge until it festers into bitterness. You may look for ways to get even.
Christian women can become caught in this web. I was one of them.
"I'm sure you'll be chosen," I assured our daughter when she competed for All-State Chorus. But the teacher chose another student. I nursed a grudge until it mushroomed into a bitter spirit. I couldn't read the Bible.
I stopped praying.
If you hold a grudge, forgive quickly. Say aloud, "I forgive ______ (fill in the blank). I forgive _______ (again; fill in the blank). Then go on. Be the person God intended you to be.
Almighty Father, forgiving God, help us to be forgiving of each other. Helps us to see others as You see them ... as Your children, just as we are. Melt our hearts, Lord. Undo us. Teach us to trust and obey the words "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." In Jesus' name. Amen.
Day 21 - FOLLOW THE RECIPE (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"If we pray, we will get all the answers we need." Mother Teresa
My mother cooked by the "dump" method. Into the pot or the bowl she would put a little salt, an egg or two, a pinch of soda. When the results were less than perfect she complained, "I can't understand why this cake didn't turn out like my friend Lena's."
When cooking, it's best to go by the recipe. And when you pray, the best results come when you do it God's way. Jesus said, "'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you'" (Matthew 7:7).
You may have substituted other things for prayer. You think about prayer, you hope things will improve, you talk about how prayer is the answer. Yet this is not prayer. Here is God's practical, workable plan for getting answers to your prayers.
Ask -- tell God exactly what you feel you need.
Seek -- don't be halfhearted. Be confident that God will do what's best in your situation.
Knock -- be patient. Don't give up.
The person who follows the recipe is guaranteed perfect results.
"'For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened'" (Matthew 7:8).
Father God, as we pray today, help us to follow Your plan ... "ask, seek, and knock". Thank you for sending Your Son to live, teach, love, answer, fulfill, suffer, die in our place, and rise again. Thank you for the promise that we will rise, too, ... only by Your love, grace, and mercy. Thank you, God ... Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day 20 - THE SECRET OF THE LORD (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"Prayer is a strong wall and fortress of the church; it is a goodly Christian weapon." Martin Luther
George was mentally distraught. He had spent time in a psychiatric hospital and now was on heavy medications. As one of a body of believers, I prayed for him -- six months, then a year. When his condition didn't improve, some members of my church grew weary. "George has been like this a long time," they said. "He may never get well."
But one person could not accept this attitude. She read, "The Lord confides in those who fear him" (Psalm 25:14). "God will show us how to pray for George," she confidently told us. To her the "secret" was to pray for George every day. We obeyed, each day asking for God's deliverance. In time, George was made well.
In certain situations you may not know how to pray. Ask God to show you. Even Jesus' disciples required guidance when they said, "'Lord, teach us to pray'" (Luke 11:1).
God's instructions are simple, easily understood, and within your reach.
Lord, teach us to pray. Share Your secrets with us. In times when we just don't know how to pray, Lord, show us. Reveal to us what to ask for, how to ask. Give us the words ... search us and know our hearts, Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Day 19 - THE REST OF PRAYER (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"Our part is to trust, and God's part is to work." Hannah Whitall Smith
When I was in first grade a blinding blizzard blew in one morning after we arrived at school. As the roads became hazardous, parents arrived early for their children. At noon my dad appeared in the classroom.
He helped me into my coat and then wound a large scarf around by face.
"Dad," I complained, "I can't see!"
"It's okay," he said. "I can see, and I'm pulling the sled.
I knew the way to our house. There were no hills and few turns.
Yet that day I had to hold tightly to the sleigh as we went up, down, around, and over snowdrifts. Is this the way home? I thought. But I was not afraid. My father knew the way.
Is this a picture of your life? You're being pulled blindly, often confused by unexpected twists and turns. Give your situation to God. "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him" (Psalm 37:7).
Resting in the Lord doesn't mean you stop praying about your problems. It means you stop telling God what to do. You cease manipulating people and circumstances. You trust your Father.
Lord God, we commit our lives, our futures, and those we love to You, Heavenly Father. We rest all in Your hands. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Day 18 - HOW TO UNSCRAMBLE AN EGG (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go." Abraham Lincoln
"I've been raped," fifteen-year-old Melanie sobbed.
"By whom?" I asked, as I agonized with the teenager who is almost family to me. We cried together. We prayed. I felt her life was shattered.
"It's impossible to unscramble an egg once it's scrambled, I thought. And to us mortals, fallible and limited beings that we are, some situations seem hopeless. But not to God! "'What is impossible with men is possible with God'" (Luke 18:27).
Later Melanie came to me. "I prayed," she said, "and God seemed to say, 'Put this behind you, Melanie. I will heal you.'"
What impossible problems stare you in the face? God is able to heal the deepest hurts, cleanse the blackest heart, and even unscramble your scrambled egg situations when you commit them to Him in prayer.
Commit means to "consign to another." "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him" (Psalm 37:5).
Release those bewildering, no-way-out situations to One who cares deeply about your circumtances and can do something about them.
THE BOTTOMLINE: Through prayer we cast the grim situations of our lives upon God, who promises to do the impossible.
Day 17 - PRAYER FOR YOUR ENEMIES (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"An important part of prayer is a willingness to be a part of the answer." Anonymous
Three-year-old Kevin was usually in the Bible class I taught, but one Sunday he was absent. When the session ended, the teacher of the four-year-olds whispered in my ear, “Kevin came to my class today. His mother is removing him from your group.”
I was crushed, yet I knew the reason for his departure. Kevin’s mother had had a disagreement with my husband, the pastor. This was her way of telling me I had an enemy.
Who is your enemy? A friend with whom you’ve argued? A fellow worker whose personality clashes with yours? A family member? Your ex-husband or ex-wife?
How does a Christian deal with our enemies? Jesus, “‘Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you'” (Luke 6:27-28).
Pray for enemies? Love them? Is this within your power? Never!
You must draw from the One who loved the whole world. He has plenty of love to share with you, enough to love even your enemy.
THE BOTTOM LINE: We will change our world as we take Calvary’s love to pray sincere prayers for those who oppose us!
Day 16 - HOW MUCH FAITH? (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"Anything that He ever did for anybody throughout all history, He can do for you." Norman Vincent Peale
It was red and round, and our three year old took a bite. But what looked to Nathan like an oversized piece of candy was really fly killer. The package insert said it contained a deadly poison.
A short time later in the emergency room, I told the doctor, “He only took a little bite.”
He peered at me. “How much poison does it take to kill? A little goes a long way.” And he began to pump Nathan’s stomach.
A little poison does go a long way. So, in a positive sense, does a small amount of faith to see answers to your prayers. Jesus said,“‘ If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you’” (Matthew 17:20).
A mustard seed is the size of the dot at the end of this sentence.
Jesus doesn’t condemn your faith however little you may think it is.
Use what you have. It is enough to move a mountain!
THE BOTTOM LINE: We’ll take the shield of faith to believe God as we pray!
Day 15 - THE TWO GO TOGETHER (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"Believing when we neither see, hear, nor feel is faith." Hannah Whitall Smith
Certain things go together. Pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. Red-and-green decorations for Christmas. Pink for baby girls and blue for baby boys. We cannot separate them. These pairs are forever linked.
Prayer, too, has a twin. It is faith. Prayer without faith is only a ritual. "And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well" (James 5:15). Faith is believing God will do what He said.
How do you obtain believing faith? The source is God's Word, which can be found not only in the Bible but in devotional books, Christian audiotapes and magazines, and the pastor's sermon. Faith to believe will grow in your heart whenever a portion of the Bible is shared. (God's Word does not go out and return empty or void.)
To encourage a friend to trust God in a time of illness, I said, "You can pray and ask God to help you."
"Oh, I wish I had your faith!" she replied.
What she didn't know is that faith is readily available, but you must look for it in the right place--the Bible.
THE BOTTOM LINE: To pray in faith, we must link a promise from God's Word with our prayers.
"so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11
Day 14 - AWARDS DAY (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"God is our rewarder but better than that, He is our reward." Vance Havner
When I was in fourth grade, the annual awards day held more than the usual excitement.
Who, I wondered, would receive that year's awards for attendance, good citizenship, and top grades? When I heard the teacher announce my name, I marched proudly to the front of the school auditorium.
There is another awards day coming -- for Christians. The prophet Jeremiah reminds us, "'Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; you reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve'" (Jeremiah 32:19)
God told Abram, "'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward'" (Genesis 15:1). Other Scriptures refer to the reward as an inheritance. "Since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward ..." (Colossians 3:24).
You now live in the era of prayer. Someday -- at your death or at Christ's coming -- the time for intercession will end. Until then, today is the time to effect change in people's hearts through intercessory prayer.
THE BOTTOM LINE: I look forward to the day when God will pull aside the curtain of time, and I will see the full effect of a ministry of prayer.
Day 13 - FASTING AND PRAYER (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"None can believe how powerful prayer is, and what it is able to effect, but those who have learned it by experience." Martin Luther
To effect change in some situations, it may be necessary to add one more ingredient to intercessory prayer: fasting. When the disciples could not cure the demon-possessed boy, Jesus told them, "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting" (Mark 9:29 KJV).
Fasting, or going without food and giving time to prayer, is usually done for a specific need. For example, while the disciples were fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them'" (Acts 13:2). God's people under Ezra fasted "so that we might humble ourselves ... and ask him for a safe journey" (Ezra 8:21).
Many Christian women forgo fasting because of Jesus' forty-day fast in the wilderness. Yet the Bible gives evidence that fasting even one meal or a day is effective. When the Jews in Persia were threatened by death, Queen Esther told Mordecai, "'Fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days'" (Esther 4:16).
Jesus emphasized that a fast should be done quietly and for the right reason: to bring change from God.
THE BOTTOM LINE: When we confront difficult situations, we will combine fasting with prayer in order that God will bring a change.
Day 12 - THE EXTRA-POWER BUTTON (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"Pray for great things, expect great things,
work for great things, but above all, pray." R.A. Torrey
Besides grating, mixing, kneading, and whipping, my food mixer has as an added feature: an extra-power button. When a mixture is especially heavy and regular settings stall the motor, I push the extra-power button, and the job is done in record time.
Did you know God has an "extra-power button" for prayer? When two people who "agree" express faith and pray together for a need, God makes sure the job gets done!
" 'If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven" (Matthew 18:19).
God gives this special promise because He values unity among His people. "'That all of them may be one ...'" (John 17:21). Psalm 133 states that unity is good and pleasant.
And where it exists, God gives the blessing of everlasting life.
Believers can know this unity because of Jesus. He promises to be with them when they meet under the banner of His name. "'For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them'" (Matthew 18:20).
Who will be your partner in agreeing prayer? It can be a friend, a child, your husband, or another woman--any Christian believer.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Agreeing prayer has the power to change those we pray for and to give life that will never end.
... he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope ... Then many will give thanks ... for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. 2 Corinthians 1:10-11
Day 11 - WAITING IN PRAYER (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"We must wait for God,
long, meekly,
in the wind and wet,
in the thunder and lightning,
in the cold and dark.
Wait, and He will come.
He never comes to those who do not wait." Frederick W. Faber
I don't like to wait. In the supermarket I look for the shortest checkout line. I begrudge the time waiting my turn in a doctor's waiting room.
Yet stalemate times come to all of us, even in our prayer life. In spite of persistent prayer, a sickness lingers, a negative situation doesn't change. The time between a paryer and its answer stretches on and on.
When heaven seems silent, we need to understand some things about God's timing.
***God is unrestricted by time. He is eternal. "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day" (2 Peter 3:8).
***God's timing is perfect. "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law" (Galatians 4:4).
***God wants us to be patient. "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised" (Hebrews 10:35-36).
THE BOTTOM LINE: I will persist in prayer because my waiting times have boundaries.
Wait for the promise of the Father. Acts 1:4
Day 10 - THE PRAYER LIST (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we are aware of." Brother Lawrence
I had been too busy to stop and make a grocery list. Back from the store, I opened the cupboard and reached for the box of cocoa. The spot was empty.
This can happen with prayer responsibilities, too. Many times I've assured people that I'd pray for them, yet a week later I realize I have not once brought their need to God. This is where a prayer list comes in handy.
*** A prayer list helps us pray definitely. Actual names appear on the list, and we lift them individually to God.
*** A prayer list helps block out distractions and zero in on prayer responsibilities.
*** A prayer list gives order to my prayer life.
"Will you pray for us while we're gone?" a friend asked. He and his wife were going to Africa to work in a leprosy hospital.
"I'll put you on my prayer list," I assured him, writing down his name a moment later.
My prayer list, with its ragged edges and tearstained pages, is in my Bible. Despite its appearance, my prayer list could be someone's lifeline between earth and heaven.
THE BOTTOM LINE: I will keep a prayer list as an aid for a more effective ministry to others.
Day 9 - NEVER GIVE UP (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"In a single day I have prayed as many as a hundred times, and in the night almost as often." St. Patrick
This is how you brush your teeth," the school nurse said, demonstrating. That evening I tried to do exactly that, but the brush felt awkward in my six-year-old hand. With pratice and time, I'm happy to say I became good with a toothbruch.
Likewise, the woman who practices praying will soon find prayer the natural reaction to life's trying situations. Do you need guidance making a decision? Pray. Are you confronted with sickness? Pray. Are relationships strained or the children unruly? Pray.
Are you having problems at your job? Pray. Are you concerned about conditions in your community or church? Pray. Pray about everything!
Our tendency is to worry, but the Bible is emphatic. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6).
We're also told to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17). When Billy Graham was asked about his prayer life, he replied, "I pray all the time. ... I pray while I'm walking, talking, lying down, whatever."
Prayer releases the hand of God. Prayer opens the windows of God's grace. Prayer brings God's perfect will to pass.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Today I refuse to worry. Rather, I commit each of my concerns and the problems of others to God in prayer.
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Day 8 - Praying in God's Will (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"The purpose of all prayer is to find God's will and make that our prayer." Catherine Marshall
The apostle John writes, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." (1 John 5:14-15)
What things are in God's will?
1. To repent of sin and accept Christ as Savior: "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9)
2. To heal the sick: "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people" (Matthew 4:23)
3. To tell others about His Son: "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matthew 9:38)
4. To destroy every evil work: "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work (1 John 3:8)
5. To guide the lives of those who trust in Him: "You have made known to me the path of life" (Psalm 16:11)
For other needs, pray and release them, as well, to God.
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7)
THE BOTTOM LINE: Today, pray for five needs that are within God's will to perform. Commit the unknowns to Him.
And he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths. Isaiah 2:3
Day 7 - How Much Time? (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"We pray because we are made for prayer, and God draws us out by breathing Himself in." P.T. Forsyth
It bothered me that I could not spend more time in prayer. I now had six young children at home, I taught a nursery Bible class, and I served as church organist. Did God know my heart's desire -- did He understand my dilemma? Does He understand yours?
God knows you are limited by time -- minutes, hours, days, and weeks.
It would go against God's character for a mother to neglect her family or for a woman to be a lax employee.
Obviously, women with demanding jobs and mothers of small chldren will not be able to give as much time to intercession as those who don't work outside the home or whose children are grown. This doesn't mean, however, that women with extremely demanding schedules cannot have a ministry in prayer.
The amount of time is not the issue. What is important is that each woman obeys God's command. "I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer" (1 Timothy 2:8). When God finds your heart willing, He will help you find more time for prayer.
Lord God, Holy Spirit, fill the voids in our hearts with You. Help us draw near to You through prayer; both for ourselves and interceding for others. You've called us to talk with You in prayer; You gifted us with such a wonder that we can just speak with You any time, anywhere. Help us to relish that treasure ... find our hearts willing, Father ... and provide the time for us to spend in communion with You. In Jesus' precious name, we pray. Amen
Day 6 - Time to Pray (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"God never imposes a duty without giving time to do it." John Ruskin
Settle it now. You won't find time to pray. Never! You must make the time. Women who determine to intercede designate time for prayer in their schedules.
Get up twenty minutes earlier to pray. During a lunch break at work find a secluded place for ten minutes of prayer. While the baby takes a nap, or you wait to pick the children up from school, pray.
Give the best time of your day to prayer; when you're mentally alert. The Bible tells us to think seriously about how we spend each day allotted us. "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is" (Ephesians 5:15-17)
Some days even your best intentions will fall through. Don't let interruptions or "prayerless" days dishearten you. Pick yourself up and begin again.
Lord God, help me to schedule prayer for others into this day's activities. Instill in me a desire to make use of every minute as You would want me to. Help me to discern between time wasting activities and those things that do a job for You; fulfilling Your purpose in me today. Increase my time so that I can get everything done that You want me to, Lord. Amen.
Day 5 - Characteristics of an Intercessor (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"When praying, do not give God instructions -- report for duty." Anonymous
As a teenager, I wanted to be a nurse. But because science was not my best subject, achieving that goal would not be easy.
As a Christian woman, I also have a goal. Like Paul, I want to know Jesus Christ "and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering, becoming like him in his death" (Philippians 3:10).
Specifically, I want to be like Him in my prayer life. Caught in the drama of Christ's miracles and sufferings, we may forget that He is our example for a life of intercession.
Still, we may become discouraged as we focus on the needs of others. We may be tempted to say, "It's no use -- I can't make a dent in these problems."
An intercessor, though, keeps an eye on the promises of God, believing what His Word says about prayer. And the promises to those who pray are explosive! "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do no know" (Jeremiah 33:3) God can do things we could never imagine possible! When we seek His face we can be assured that our prayers are in line with His will for us ... all part of His promise.
Lord Jesus, we want to be like You and the way You pray ... interceding for others throughout our day. As we pray, help us to base our asking on promises from God's Word. Thank you for praying for us and with us. We love you, Jesus. Amen
Day 4 - Who Qualifies for a Prayer Ministry? (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"If you can't pray like you want to, pray as you can. God knows what you mean. And you have good help -- the Advocate who is God's Son and the Paraclete who is God's Spirit. They will take your feeblest prayer and make it perfect." Vance Hanver
"Me, have a ministry in prayer?" I've answered before.
"Maybe after I've attended a seminar, but not now!"
Other times I've reasoned out loud, "When I'm more mature in the Lord -- right now I'm not 'spiritual' enough."
Another excuse goes something like this. "Yes, I believe in prayer, but someone else's -- my mother's, the pastor's, but not my prayers!"
Often I've procrastinated. "When the children are older, or after our marital problems are resolved, or when I have a less stressful job. Not now, but someday."
Who then will pray?
The qualifications for a ministry in prayer and intercession are simple: You must be a Christian. You're never too young or too old. Educational background is not a factor, nor is marital status. Even the woman who wails, "But you don't know my schedule," can have a ministry in prayer.
"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16). In other words, every Christian qualifies to minister to others through prayer.
THE BOTTOM LINE: This is "no-excuse day." Today I make myself available to intercede for others.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18
Day 3 - What Prayer Will Do (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"I have experienced that nothing makes us as free as interceding for others." Corrie Ten Boom
Mr. Harrison's right knee had swollen to twice the size of his left one. Part of the skin had knit together to make a red, jagged scar.
The lower part of the knee hung open, a gaping would oozing pus. In spine of nine surgeries and rounds of powerful antibiotics, as his nurse, I wondered if his limb would be useful again.
Don't we wonder the same thing when we are confronted by the "wounds" of our day? Divorce, abuse, and drugs wreak havoc with the mind and spirit and can handicap or even incapacitate people for their entire lives.
There is hope through prayer. As we pray, God begins the process of healing. Lovinly and tenderly He cleans out the bitterness and hopelessness. Then gently, He pushes together the flesh, making the scar barely perceptible. "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8)
We, the intercessors, are the important link between an able God and a wounded world.
THE BOTTOM LINE: I will be sensitive to the "wounded ones" around me. As I pray, an able God will begin and eventually complete the healing process.
Day 2 - Intercession: The Law of Christ (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the Kingdom." Charles Spurgeon
"Enter into a ministry of prayer and intercession," the pastor urged in his sermon. That's all I need, I thought. With five school-age children at home, household chores backed up for six months, and a stressful job, I felt suffocated by responsibility.
But that week Joanne began to share with me her family problems -- a daughter talking of suicide, a son caught in an unstable marriage. In an effort to alleviate her hopelessness, I said impulsively, "Joanne, I'll pray for your children."
Driving home from work, I was reminded of my vow. "God, help Joanne trust You in this time of need," I prayed.
The next morning as I read my Bible, Joanne's face flashed across my mind, and I again prayed for her family. At that moment it dawned on me: This is what the pastor was talking about. Intercession is putting aside my needs and entering into the problems of others through prayer.
The Bible says, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). What is the law of Christ? Love that acts. As His followers, He commands us to do the same.
THE BOTTOM LINE: As I become aware of others' needs, I will present them to God in believing prayer.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26 NIV
Day 1 - Women Joining Hands (Adapted from Change Your World - A Woman's Handbook for Prayer by Jewell Johnson)
"Prayer to God is the most powerful force in this whole universe." Vivian Carlson Beckstrand, housewife & mother
As members of the same gender, women share many characteristics.
We are easily moved to action. We tend to be caring and gentle, with the same basic instinct to nurture. And, in general, we are the keepers of the home and family.
We also share common concerns: how to be a better wife, mother, employee, and friend. Women are especially concerned about the future -- in particular, what kind of world will we leave our children?
Perhaps we are tempted to think the world would be a better place if there were more churches and more Christians in government. But the truth is, in spite of churches on almost every corner and faster ways of communicating God's truth, no one has improved on the most powerful force in this universe for penetrating the hearts of people--prayer.
These next 30 daily devotions are not intended to be studied long or their theories analyzed.
Their only purpose is to prod us--women--into action. By joining other women to pray for our communities, schools, and churches, we will form a network of prayer. We will become "sisters" in one gigantic effort to bring change through this powerful force.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Together women can lift the banner of Jesus over the world through intercessory prayer.
Paul's prayer for the Ephesians:
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Ephesians 3:14-21
