The Most Important Thing to Pray for People You Love

In the last few years, I've grown in my amazement at the fact that we can pray.  We are actually invited to talk to the Creator of the universe.  He tells us He is listening.

There are so many other things to say about that, and I want to explore them.  But for now, I want to simply stand amazed that He listens to us.

When I was a young mom, I prayed for all sorts of things for my one child.  I actually prayed AGAINST a lot of things.  That she wouldn't be sick.  That she wouldn't be hurt.  That she wouldn't be influenced by bad friends.  That she wouldn't join a cult.  

It was amazing how quickly the ideas of what could happen got really ridiculous.

I did pray for the right things to happen.  For normal development.  For good friends.  For strong character.  For an obedient heart.  For wisdom.  For impact.

I am wired to look at possibilities and scenarios.  And it was backfiring on me.  I was SO anxious.  I somehow imagined that it was up to me to pray for the right things.  I had to be so specific if I wanted it to happen.  

And I will tell you that being specific is not bad.  But in this case, it was clouding things.

It wasn't until I started praying for my own anxiety that I had an epiphany.

I wanted peace.  I prayed for peace.  For me.  For my daughter. For our family.

I started praying from Philippians 4 (NLT):

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

I would tell Him all I needed, or what I thought I needed.  What my family needed.  I thanked Him for what He had done.  I started looking at how He had been faithful so far.  

Then one day, I read further:

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

and there I saw it!

To have the peace of God, you need the God of peace.  

True peace comes from having a relationship with God.  

So the whole list of prayers from an anxious momma simply became, "Give them You, Lord."

There was also another verse God used to cement this line of thinking.  

Romans 8:28 (NLT)

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 

WHATEVER bad or good thing happened to my kid(s), they are covered by this promise.  All will be used for their good IF they are His.

So, I prayed for their salvation.

Once a child is a professing, growing believer, they get the benefit of prayers for wisdom and discernment.  Specific prayers for specific seasons.  But until they know Jesus, the only valid thing to pray is that they will respond to the free gift of God that is Jesus as Savior.

That is also the case for others who don't know Jesus.  I don't pray for their health and ease in life.  I don't pray for happy relationships and good jobs.  I pray for their eyes to see Jesus!

Because if they never have anything "bad" happen, and their life is considered "perfect" and "charmed," but they don't know Jesus.  What would it really have mattered?  This life is a breath in light of their eternity.

Savoring Truth Today

On Monday, we sang this at my Bible study meeting.  It is one of my favorites and I am overcome each time I sing it. I am amazed.  I am grieved.  I am grateful.

Can I tell you a bit about what goes through my head?

In Christ Alone

 (Getty, Townsend) 

In Christ alone, my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.

Jesus is my ONLY hope.  Because of Him I can look forward to a beautiful eternity--no matter how bad it gets, I don't have to despair.  One day all will be made right and new and perfect.  I can actively hope as I wait for that day.  This isn't a "wish," as in "I wish that things turn out for the best."  It is a firm trust because I KNOW it is certain. 

Jesus sheds light on the world around me and even in my own soul.  He gives me strength for each moment of my day.  His love is wide and deep.  I can rest in Him and be still.  He comforts me.  All of this causes my soul to SING.  What a gift from God music is!

In Christ alone, who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied.
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid; Here in the death of Christ I live.

It's Christmas, y'all!  The Almighty Creator of the Universe poured Himself into a tiny human baby.  Infants are totally vulnerable because EVERYTHING has to be done for them.  He chose to do that!  For us!  What love!  And yet, He was rejected and persecuted by those He came to rescue.  He was executed as a criminal, to die a horrid death.  Crucifixion has been reported as the most cruel way to administer capital punishment.  And this is how Jesus took the wrath of God. 

The eternal and unending God paid for all the sin of all humans for all time, past, present, future--all on Him. Good Friday.  Not good for Jesus in that the wrath of God that was meant for me, for you, for the entire world.  He put on our sin and gave us His righteousness.  What an exchange!  And because of His death, I can live.  What mercy!  What grace!

There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious Day, Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory, sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ.

They took Him down off that cross and laid Him in a rich man's tomb.  I wonder how Satan celebrated since he thought he'd won.  Poor devil, had no clue Sunday was coming.  Easter!!!  The amazing power of God brought Jesus back to life.  And not just gave breath to that beaten and mutilated body that had been put in the tomb days before, but glorified Him.  The power of God transformed Jesus' body to a new and perfect one that would never see death again!

He is victorious over death and because I am His, that enemy has been defeated, de-fanged.  I don't have to fear--it has NOTHING on me!  I belong to Jesus, His blood bought me from the marketplace of sin.

No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the  pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow/r of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns of calls me home, Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

And NOW, there is no condemnation, nor will there ever be for any one who belongs to Jesus.  The enemy can't accuse us of owing anything--Jesus paid that debt in full!  So I can live and not be afraid of anything, not even death.  Because the power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me.  Whoa!
He is in charge of my life until my time on this earth is done.  NOTHING can thwart His will for me--not even me!  I cannot screw up the plans God has.  So until He calls me home or comes back for me and I meet Him in the air, I will STAND firm in the power of the Spirit of God, who is the author of salvation.

I mean, who would have thought this up?  The HERO created people.  They screwed up.  The HERO knew that the only way to make things right was for Him to come and live on earth as a human.  He would live a perfect life, and die in the worst way possible--so that He could be the perfect substitute, a spotless Lamb that takes away the sin of the world.

What MERCY--we don't get what we deserve.  We deserve to suffer the consequences of not being able to pay our debt.  He paid our debt.  But not just that.  GRACE--He lavishes on us grace upon grace because of His resurrection.  He shows us favor and gives us all that we need for this life, to live it for Him. 

He doesn't promise us ease and comfort--don't be fooled to believe your life will be "fixed" and you'll be healthy and wealthy.  He promises Himself and the riches and glory of eternity with Him.

While we're on this earth, we live with God's power in us.  We are part of His Forever Family!

Only because of Jesus.

Thank you, Lord!

Show and tell: Knowing God's Word so that I can do my job

I've been telling myself I need to do the things I know I should be doing.  Primarily, studying God's Word more.  And being more diligent in prayer.

Recently, I was telling a friend how I was feeling defeated because I wasn't studying God's Word enough.  I am not sure what "enough" even means.  

And that's when I finally realized it.

I had somewhere come to a place where I was dismissing the time I spend each week preparing to teach the babies at Bible study.  I work through my own lesson and then meditate on the portion that will then be taught to the kids.  

Sometimes I hear it in various translations.  Or I transcribe part of it.  I look for our Hero:  Jesus and how to make sure the sentences I choose to use with them are rich and full of Him.  I have no time to spend precious moments telling them about details of a story that may serve to distract them.

It really is an amazing gift to distill it down to precious truth about God, about Jesus, about how He is the Hero.

This process each week is imprinting God's Word into MY heart and mind.  This has been the process for a few years now.  And I treasure what He has done--how He has used the time in His Word to transform me.

I am in His Word.  And I see the evidence.  And the enemy of my soul can take back his accusation because I'm not buying it anymore.  There is no condemnation!!!

This year has been even more precious since I have the youngest group.  Their response is their attention.  I can't ask if they understood--I can only pray and trust.  And be faithful and obedient.

So I learn God's Word.  I tuck it deep into my heart so that I can recite it whenever I have the chance.

I typically craft eight to nine sentences.  Carefully choosing simple language--and no pronouns!  Then deciding on which images I want to use to help them focus on me and the few words I will sow.  

Each week I pray for them by name, that their hearts are being prepared by God.  Only He can do that--only He prepares hearts and opens eyes.  I trust Him to do that.  So much freedom!

Then each Wednesday morning, when the moment is ripe, and they are happy and satisfied, and the morning tears have subsided, we sing:

Do you know what time it is?

What time it is?

What time it is?

Do you know what time it is?

It's Bible story time.

or we chant:

Absolutely true

Absolutely true

Everything the Bible says is

Absolutely true

and we pray.

And out go the seeds for the day.  Then we love and rock and sing to babies.  And if any were sleeping when the story was shared, they get a private encore.  

And we trust the they feel Jesus' love and peace in that room.  And we pray for mommas who are themselves receiving precious truths into their hearts.  

I love how God is allowing me to serve this year.  It is a gift to me.  Because as I am being equipped to show and tell what God is pouring into me, I am being transformed.

Each Wednesday I am poured out, and I am tired, and yet I am full and so very energized.  

What a privilege!

Thank you, Lord, for showing me the better way--the way of trust and surrender to your timing. Thank you for growing my dependence on you, for giving me the grace to surrender the need to see any results and simply trust you with the sowing of seeds of truth.  Thank you that I have been delivered from the shackles of performance and script and frustration over plans gone awry.  Please keep me from looking to others for approval or validation.  Keep me from thinking I can do this job on my own strength--keep my eyes on you and your moment-by-moment enabling.  Thank you that because of Jesus you hear the desires of my heart.

"Almighty, Creator of the Universe on Line 1"

Welcome to my index page for all of the entries for the #write31days challenge.  I will be writing on the topic of prayer.  Bookmark this page as it will be the one receiving updates.

1:  What I am doing in October
2:  What IS prayer?
3:  How can we even KNOW God?
4:  How does God talk to us?
5:  Tuning into His voice
6:  Why does God even want to talk to us?
7:  Does it matter who we are and how we come to Him?
8:  In the castle
9:  The ONLY way to Pray
10:  Seek Him FIRST
11:  WHY pray?
12:  Does my ATTITUDE matter?
13:  Anything else keeping me from relationship?
14:  The Phone Call
15:  5 Ways Gratitude Has Improved My Prayer Life
16:  Missing the Miracles
17:  Overwhelmed by Majesty
18: TEN Ways to Pray
19:  Where, When, and What to Pray
20:  The Next Generation
21:  Prayer is Counter-Intuitive
22:  Prayer IS Doing Something

late but done...

23:  God Reveals Mysteries



Join the journey--and join the discussion.  I anticipate needing some feedback on what angle to write about as the month goes on.

Of course, feel free to PRAY FOR ME!  :)

Thanks!

Cristina

What I am doing in October

Just yesterday I was telling a friend how much I love talking and teaching and discussing and thinking about prayer--and of course, my hope is that I PRAY more than spend time on all of those things.

I am passionate to talk to others about it because I want them to join me in this journey of understanding and practicing what the Bible commands us to do.  To pray without ceasing.  Tall order.

Within the hour, I see the #write31days challenge and think, "I really need to do that.  I've been saying I need to work on my blog and write.  Because I "write" a lot, but not much get's documented--IT'S ALL IN MY HEAD."  *sigh*

(In fact, I wrote this yesterday, in my head, on Day 1--but am just now getting it down.  Pray for my diligence!)

Upon investigation I learn that I have to write on ONE topic for 31 days?  What would that be?  This would definitely be a challenge!

It didn't take TOO long before God reminded me of my recent conversation.

So PRAYER it is.

I look forward to what God will prompt me to write.  And yes, I'm a little scared to put this out there...

Because I've had a chance to do some teaching on this, I already have some thoughts.  But I'm also trusting that anyone out there reading this will let me know if there is something we can explore together.

I will update this link with each day's entry.  If you want to find it, you can set that page as a favorite. (I think that's how it'll work.)

Here we go, God.  I trust you!

Do not hinder them

Welcome to my scattered mind.  I DO want to finish posting about the John Piper teaching lab, but I was thinking of the things that encourage me when I go to Bible study.  


I wrote a few times past how I'd wished I'd gotten into a more disciplined study of God's Word way before I did. I recognize now that what kept me from committing is also precisely the reason I needed it.

My little children.  I wish I could go back and make different choices.  I know I can't.  I know I can move forward and make choices that I can be proud of.  Even if there is a pang of regret, I trust God to redeem.

And even my regret has given me eyes to see, has made me appreciate and even be encouraged when I see young moms bring their kiddos to Bible study.  They are there--and maybe they feel as crazy as I remember feeling, BUT THEY ARE THERE!

Matthew 19:14 says:

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

And although I feel regret that I was the one that hindered my own children from coming to Jesus earlier, I also feel hope when I see that.  And I want to tell many more--"I know if feels like it would be too hard, but being a mommy without being in God's Word is SO MUCH HARDER."

So, if you are not in some sort of Bible study where you are encouraged and fed and held accountable and prayed for, then find one!  You won't regret it!

And don't let the enemy convince you that you don't need a steady diet of truth, that your kids don't need it. He will do anything he can to distract you and derail you--he hates you and your kids.

Press on!

Dear Young Me

Time does fly.

There is much I don't remember about when my kids were little.  But there are things that are so vivid--maybe because I still deal with them.

Like the feeling of uselessness. Am I making a difference?  Is it worth it that I am staying home with my kids and not plugging away at that job? Did I waste my time getting that degree?  Who am I?


Dear Young Me:

You ARE doing something that makes the biggest difference to those little people that take you for granted.  It's only because they don't quite realize yet that you are not a part of them.  Their self-involved little mind that is only thinking of themselves actually includes you--they are learning where they end and you begin.

That's why they panic when they're missing a part of their body--YOU are part of them!  Wonder why they say "Da-da" first?  Because they're not talking to themselves yet!  

One day, they will realize you are another person, and they won't cry when you drop them off at the church nursery.  They will still be self-involved, but then you will be on the outside.  So, it sounds strange,but enjoy the separation anxiety.  One day you'll realize that they didn't even wave when you left.

But now, because you're attached at the hip, it is hard to find a spare moment to think, to learn, to be still and quiet.  But if you make the effort and guard any time you can grab to study God's Word, it will make you a better momma--please don't wait!  NOW is the best time.  Whatever your season, it's the best time.  Because God's Word has the medicine you need to fight the despair and the feelings of uselessness and the anxiety about doing things right and not screwing up your kids.  The medicine is TRUTH!  Please weigh very carefully any advice on being a better mom that does not include being in God's Word.

God's Word is where you will learn that your value has nothing to do with that job you prepared for, that dangled the carrot of partner, that promised to put a few letters behind your name, that gave you immense ego-soothing.  Your worth also has nothing to do with  how many words your kid can say or if you breastfed or used the right baby products.  It has EVERYTHING to do with the fact that you are a child of God--His because He made you, but His twice as much because He redeemed you.

And that Great, Big, Awesome, Powerful God did not trade the life of His Son for someone who isn't valuable--rather, He died for YOU.  And that makes you precious.  And there's more!  That Great, Big, Awesome, Powerful God has put you exactly where you are, given you the exact kids you have--you are the best mom for them.  God does not make mistakes.

And He doesn't give you work to do that He won't equip you to do.  He gives you what you need to live the life He has ordered for you. This life you now live, you live because this Great, Big, Awesome, Powerful God LIVES IN YOU!  That is some super mommy power right there!

It still blows my mind.  So find time to sit and let that truth wash over your brain, and erase all the lies you let yourself believe.  Wash, rinse, and repeat.  Above all other habits, this will anchor you.  Do not neglect it.  Brutally cut out other stuff.

And be careful.  There is a lie coming that all activity is equal.  It is not.  There are some things that are a hollow use of your time.  An hour in God's Word is not equal to an hour of TV which is not equal to an hour of conversation with a friend.  Part of you KNOWS this.  Be wise in how you spend the time--because everything around you wants to pull you to hollow pursuits.  Only God's Word and people are eternal.

Saying "no" to the things that don't have eternal value is hard, but SO worth it.  Fight the crazy in all areas of your life--do not be swept up by the argument that "everyone else is doing this." That's a lie.

Stand firm in TRUTH.  Learn to pray--it's like breathing.  You can't function unless you breathe.

Next time maybe I'll tell you about kids' sports...

Protein or hairspray?

This was the basic decision I had to make each morning when I was in high school.  I'd be getting ready for school and mom would yell up, "Come eat some breakfast!"

[FYI: The whole conversation was in Spanish, but my memories have all been edited into English.]

Almost each time, I'd yell out I was not ready.  She'd reply, "What's more important?  Food or getting your hair done?"

Protein or hairspray?

I'd yell back, "My hair!  If I don't eat breakfast, no one will be able to tell.  If I don't finish my hair, people WILL know!"

I suppose it's fairly common to be more concerned with the outside, with what is seen and can be evaluated.  Just recently, in my study of Matthew, I read again how Jesus called the Pharisees out on this very thing.  Hypocrites, He called them.  Ouch.

I know myself.  I can be a Pharisee.  I can appear to be a certain kind of person and, in the privacy of my home, I am another.  This is a conviction that a few years ago drove me to intentionally integrate my personality.  I really felt like different people--each personality suited to the context.  I was careful what I said, where I said it, and which lingo I adopted.  I was a good church girl when I needed to be.  But it felt wrong when I'd catch myself mentally changing gears within a single conversation.  I'd be discussing a study with a friend and then I'd feel a turn in my spirit as we'd start to gossip or grumble about out spouse. Yuck!  I'm embarrassed to even type that!

Integrity. That was the goal. Either I loved God and wanted to glorify Him ALL the time or I didn't. No lukewarm belief.  Every time, or not at all.  I wanted to be consistent.  I still do.

It has been quite a journey.  And I give God all the praise for how far He's brought me.  There is, however, so much room for improvement!

In a recent Bible study, God brought me to the subject of how I am serving my family.  Once again, I saw that choice:  work on what is seen or what is not.

I dare say I've seen God do amazing things through the ministries I'm involved in.  I am conscious that any success there is because of God's enabling and gifting and providence.  I strive to surrender to His will and to allow Him to use me however He sees fit.  I trust Him to provide and to work things out according to His perfect timing.  I do what I can and leave results to Him.  All for His glory!

By God's grace, the study of Acts a few years ago did open my eyes to the fact that my first disciples are my children.  Another layer of growth.  The recent tug has been to focus more of my energy on my home.  Because I am realizing how much I neglect, yes NEGLECT the hidden ministry that goes on within the walls of my home.

I'm not going without a fight, because I do keep coming up with excuses.  They're pretty lame and I'm on to me, so it won't be long. I know I will ultimately succumb to God's gentle nudge.  He wants me to learn--and I get to choose the easy way (obedience to the nudging) or the hard way (and I don't want to imagine what that would need to be to get my attention).

I need to run my home with the same discipline and dedication that I give to the VISIBLE ministries in which I am involved.

I am afraid, to be honest, of what that will cost.  My week is a bit hyper scheduled to make it all fit.  And to be frank, I work best that way.  Unscheduled time becomes wasted time too easily for me.  I've mentioned before, idleness is dangerous.

I am trusting Him as I step into this new way of doing life.  The funny thing is that I have said, "If I could only get my act together, I would be freed up to really make an impact."  But I recognize that "getting my act together" will mean a cost to what I am doing now.

God's sense of humor

It really is quite funny when I think of my previous thoughts on working with children. I would tell you that I didn't really like little kids.  Of course, as a mom, I learned how to like MY kids and my friends' kids.  But the idea of spending extended time with little people induced a bit of anxiety in me.

Well, a few years ago, God decided it was time to throw me for a loop.  He brought me to a place of trusting Him even when I felt uncomfortable.  How could I grow if I fought to stay in my comfort zone and doing the same old thing because it felt "safe."  I did the stuff I had a natural affinity and skill to do.
Yes, He is the source of these gifts and skills.  BUT I was working in my own strength.

Then I was asked to take a position of teaching preschoolers.  What?  Then I understood what it really means for God to give spiritual gifts--that are NEW, above & beyond any natural inclinations and abilities.  I hadn't work with kids, I didn't want to teach, because I couldn't.  But God...

I stepped out in faith.  I said, "Yes, Jesus.  I trust you."  What happened next is the miracle of God changing desires and thought patterns and abilities!  I had a group of four/five-year olds that I grew to love as I prayed for them and taught them God's Word.

I'm still trying to understand what God is calling me to do.  I have found a passion for teaching God's Word in a simple and straight-forward way.  If I have to resort to big words and sophisticated logic, then something isn't right.  I want to make it simple enough for a preschooler to understand.

I want to document the series we're beginning.  I want to be back soon to tell you about God's CALL on Abram (Abraham's) life.  Of course, it is not lost on my that my last post was on the summer study of Abraham.

If you're reading this and I haven't posted the first lesson, send me a text and remind me.  LOL!

“Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."  Mark 10:14b

Be blessed!