On Prayer

As a teen I remember a phone call with my grandma where I shared my longing to become a missionary. Her response is what made the conversation so memorable.  She said that I needed to become a woman of prayer.  When she said that, I remember sadness well up within me.  I knew at that point in my life, I was not a woman of prayer.  I wanted to be; I tried to be, but I could never attain.  Now many years later...I am reminded of her words.  They echo in my heart and mind compelling me to evolve into a woman of prayer.

MY ETA

I am currently in the Old Testament.  This has been a journey in itself.  I have never fully read through the O.T.  I know, bad! Thanks to my Husband, Frank, I am reading through from Genesis to Malachi. I was always afraid of the O.T. Weird huh?  I do not know why.  I just loved reading the New Testament and hearing about my Jesus and His love for me.  I worried that I would  not understand the O.T. or that it would be boring.  Surprisingly or not, I was SO wrong.  I love reading about real men and women who failed miserably and were victorious.  They inspire me.  From Abraham to Deborah, I am enamored by the practical pictures of faith. Now in 1 Samuel, the faithfulness and compassion of God has been made crystal clear to me.  Although the Israelites continually forsake God, He continually takes them back.  I feel like my life is being played out B.C. style.  I mean how many times have I done my own thing, thinking I got it all together when news check...I don't!  How many times do I prioritize terribly leaving my devotion time until the end of the day. Yet, in spite of all this, My God is faithful.

In chapter 12 of I Samuel, the people finally get their way.  They beg and plead for a king to rule over them, because they are not content with GOD's sovereign rule.  Saul has been anointed king, and they are given a warning.  Samuel shares, "Fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart.  For consider what great things He has done for you.  But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king"      (1 Samuel 12:24-25)  Sometimes the simplicity of God is so complex.  We are given the answers before the tests, yet we still fail.  I have not read what happens, but I can guarantee that the Israelites fail.  That is what blows me away.  Even in our sin and filth He loves us.
   
A few verses before this Samuel cries, "far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you." This is was stood out to me.  His dedication to the people in prayer is convicting. These men and women were hopeless, yet Samuel was fully dedicated to them in prayer.  This scene caused me to look at my own life.  What areas in my life seem hopeless?  What areas had I given up on.  Where had I allowed cobwebs and complacency to settle in?  Contemplating this made me yearn for a deeper prayer life.  One commentary stated,
      "Prayerlessness is the epitome of selfishness, because       failure to pray for others means I am withholding that which would so greatly bless them...Prayer is the proof of love, and love is the product of prayer...a person who prays is humble because he knows that without the Lord, He can't do anything."
  No words... literally. Just conviction. At that moment, I had an epiphany!  This is what my grandma was talking about.  It all made sense.  The last piece of the puzzle was in place and I could see the full picture.  Prayer is power.  There are so many areas in my life that could use some power.  I needed to stop fighting and striving and start praying.  

That is where I am.  I have been admonished; now I must respond.  

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3)  

In Him & until next time,

Darla