With the exception of the mouse issue, I am finding this journey easier than I expected. It turns out than instead of counting the minutes pass by on the clock, I am actually wishing I had more time to pray. Also, I have finally found a quiet space to actually listen to God. Prayer was never meant to be a one-way conversation and I am realizing that more and more with every hour. As I am quiet in moments of prayer, God quietly speaks to me about my life
My mind tends to race with things to do. How about yours? Yet as I surrender my time, my thoughts and my needs to him in prayer, He slows my thoughts, calms my concerns and comforts in a way that brings clarity and vision.
I
am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I
give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 (NLV)
Monday, December 3, 2012
A Little Surprise
My first morning, up before the crack of dawn to pray was a surprise. I thought my attention span would be challenged. How would I fill all that time? What would I do if I ran out of things to say? Was this such a good idea after all?
I took a moment to prepare my heart and earnestly, wholeheartedly asked the Lord to keep my mind free from distractions as I opened my Bible for direction. As I glanced out of the corner of my eye, I was startled to see a furry, little critter scurrying across my floor. A mouse in the house!? This was not off to such a good start. After a small outburst, I quickly left the house in an attempt to evade the rodent.
I knew I could not stay in the house and talk to God without being distracted. Today would be a prayer-walk kind of day.
"Lord, get that mouse out of my house!"
Not a very holy prayer.
But VERY heartfelt.
The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
I took a moment to prepare my heart and earnestly, wholeheartedly asked the Lord to keep my mind free from distractions as I opened my Bible for direction. As I glanced out of the corner of my eye, I was startled to see a furry, little critter scurrying across my floor. A mouse in the house!? This was not off to such a good start. After a small outburst, I quickly left the house in an attempt to evade the rodent.
I knew I could not stay in the house and talk to God without being distracted. Today would be a prayer-walk kind of day.
"Lord, get that mouse out of my house!"
Not a very holy prayer.
But VERY heartfelt.
The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
1000 Hours is a Long Time!
After participating in a church wide initiative to log a thousand hours of prayer, I felt God whisper to my heart, "What would change if YOU prayed for 1,000 hours?"
Intrigued? Yes. I truly believe that the invisible things are often more real than the visible, so I imagined. Could courses be set? Could lives be forever changed? Could dreams be realized? Could unhealthy, destructive patterns be disassembled?
Yes. Yes. Yes and Yes.
I hesitated though. One thousand hours is a long time. I am a busy mother of three. Impossible. Two months later, I remembered the conversation and realized that I am too busy to not take my prayer life to a new level.
So, how about you? What might happen in your life if you prayed for 1,000 hours?
Intrigued? Yes. I truly believe that the invisible things are often more real than the visible, so I imagined. Could courses be set? Could lives be forever changed? Could dreams be realized? Could unhealthy, destructive patterns be disassembled?
Yes. Yes. Yes and Yes.
I hesitated though. One thousand hours is a long time. I am a busy mother of three. Impossible. Two months later, I remembered the conversation and realized that I am too busy to not take my prayer life to a new level.
So, how about you? What might happen in your life if you prayed for 1,000 hours?
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