Prayer is the portal
that brings the power of heaven down to earth.
It is kryptonite to the enemy
and to all his ploys against you.
— Fervent, by Priscilla Shirer,
a novel inspired by the movie War Room
Boy, it seems like FOREVER since I’ve sat down and really talked to you guys, doesn’t it? But I hope you had fun throughout the month of February with the “It’s Time to Fall in Love” Treasure Hunt that Debbie Lynne Costello, MaryLu Tyndall, and I hosted And … I hope and PRAY some of you won prizes from both Deb’s and MaryLu’s giveaways as well.
And speaking of “prayer,” I absolutely LOVE the quote above that I read in my devotional this morning because it reminds me all over again that prayer is THE key to unlocking a heart of faith. You see, it was the prayer of a hard-hearted agnostic young woman some forty-odd years ago that changed the course of my life. I can still see myself sitting in my bedroom at the age of twenty-three, eyes on the ceiling with almost a sneer on my face. “This girl at work says You love me and want to be part of my life,” I said in a curt tone, “but frankly, I don’t believe it. So … if it’s true and You really are up there and I’m not just talking to a ceiling, then make me know it. Come into my life and change it for the better.”
Well, I guess I don’t need to tell you how THAT prayer turned out! I was a pretty angry woman the day I first called on God, uttering my very first prayer in a hard, sarcastic tone. But like my daughter just said to me on the phone this morning, “God doesn’t care how we come to him — be it anger or rebellion — he just wants us to come to Him. To talk to Him. Seek Him. Counsel with Him. And sometimes cry and rant at him, somthing I’m not ashamed to admit I’m pretty darn good at.
Since that day in my bedroom, my life has been a series of answered prayer, each and every petition a stepping stone across a sea of doubt to solid ground on the other side. To solid rock, which is exactly what Jesus is. For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock. — Isaiah 26:4.
The quote above is from the book, Fervent, by Priscilla Shirer, based on the excellent movie, War Room, about how Christians need a battle plan for prayer, and I couldn’t agree more. One of my prayer partners raved about the book, so I bought it and just read the 1st chapter this morning, which is where today’s quote came from. And, WOW, did I need to read it.
Absorb it.
Relearn it.
Don’t get me wrong, I pray every single day of my life, with more specific and in-depth prayers relegated to weekdays, but I will admit that lately, my prayers haven’t been as “fervent” as I would like. It just seems like I’ve been slammed with a lot of bad news in my family and from my friends recently, so my faith in prayer has wobbled a wee bit of late.
But when my daughter called this morning after a truly painful and difficult month, telling me about a remarkable answer to our fervent prayers that truly confirms “God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask, think or pray” (Ephesians 3:20-21), my faith was deeply stirred. Suddenly, I realized all over again just how powerful prayer is and what a gift it is from God. And not just a gift, but a battle plan to defeat the enemy and “all his ploys against you and me.”
So I don’t know about you, but I’m bracing to do battle with a new fervor and fire that comes straight from the throne of God, reigniting my faith in prayer and in Him. And just in the nick of time, too. Because you see, yesterday I learned that a very dear and precious friend of mine was given nine months to live by her doctor. But I am clinging to Psalm 112:7, which says “She will have no fear of bad news; her heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Her heart is secure, she will have no fear; in the end she will look in triumph on his foes.”
That’s what I’m believing for my friend, and I believe that with all of my heart for each of us today as well, no matter what our prayers may be. So before I go, I’d like to ask each of you who are reading this today a favor. Will you take just a moment to stop and say a pray for my friend too? For her healing, her wisdom, and her peace. And that God will be the lamp unto her feet, guiding her along His path and His plan for her life. A plan for her well-being and not her calamity, and to give her a future and a hope.
Thank you and have a blessed weekend!
Hugs,
Julie
FREE DOWNLOAD on my MOST
Favorite Novel I’ve Ever Written!
If you haven read book 1 in the Winds of Change series, A Hope Undaunted, now is your chance! Because I promise you that the passionate and tumultuous story of Katie O’Connor and Luke McGee is one you won’t soon forget.
Honestly? I love this book SO much I reread it every single year, so what does that tell you? If the gal who loves passion, drama, angst, faith & family in large doses rereads this O’Connor novel more than all the rest, you probably should too! 😉 Here’s the link — PLEASE spread the word!!
Have You Read Isle of Hope or A
Glimmer of Hope yet?
Because if you have and posted a review on Amazon or Goodreads, you can get points in my newsletter contest to have a character named after you in my next book and a signed copy, so PLEASE let know if you do, okay?
Most people don’t realize how critical good reviews are to authors, but because so many potential readers base their book-buying decisions on the number of good reviews posted, that’s the best way to bless an author you love. So please consider posting a short 1- or 2-line review for the books that you love, whether they or mine or those of another author you enjoy. Thank you!
