Mary – Page 9

Prayer and Fasting

October 28, 2018 by Mary

When we are alone with Christ one-on-one in silence, an intimacy reveals unwavering love, compassion, forgiveness and acceptance. Silence is the doorway to peace. No compromise, no questioning, just me….and GOD. Christ reaching out His hand to bring me comfort.

The disciplines of prayer and fasting are a means for me to make a declaration of my faith to my God. I do not fast for great lengths of time and do not have a standard to uphold. The discipline of fasting is a way to say, “Hello God, you have my undivided attention today. I will depend upon you for my sustenance. I want to feel that you are close to me. I want to be in your presence.”. It may mean skipping lunch or restricting myself to only soup and light meals for a day.

While the world spins out of control and I hear frightening things on the news—of loss and murder, of bombs and tragedy, of hatred, wars, hunger and death…when I am alone with my Creator everything is beautiful. He took the scars of the world upon himself, wearing the thorny crown that pierced His skin, wounded for our transgressions and yet the God I know reaches out His hand to me and it is without flaw.

I am certain when I receive a phone call that the grandchild of my dear friend has been diagnosed with Leukemia, the boy is in the loving hands of our God; reassured that my fears of death pale in comparison to life everlasting. I pray silently that Christ would breathe his warm, soft breath over this boy and into his lungs and the blood that runs through his veins, because He is a God of miracles.I pray for the hush of silent peace to rush over his mama’s aching heart and to whirl around his family.

As I commune with God in my fleshly self-centric way, praying for my own needs, God reveals to me the innermost hurts and burdens of those around me. I am left with a hole in my soul by all of the things I have never noticed because I have not drawn close enough to Christ –often enough to see people through His eyes. Thoughts transformed, I begin to understand and feel more compassion and love for others.

“Hold out your hand” Christ urges…. I hold out my clenched fist wrought with human experience. His hand gently opens mine and the heart of stone that I have held to so tightly becomes like clay. Tears fall like rain, each drop bearing the name of someone I may have missed, overlooked, dismissed, hurt or abandoned. Each tear a symbol of my hurts, fears and sadness.

In the midst of silence, as my spirit is open to receive that which God has for me… He sends messages about my passion and purpose. He reassures me that I still have work to do, yet it takes me days to realize this message. God-are you bringing to life something that I have been afraid to dream could possibly happen? The cumulative effect of many disappointments has conditioned me to question His plans for me. I realize that this has kept me from living in His fullness. These are ugly truths and I wonder if others have grappled with them too. Loss has a way of clinging to the innermost parts of our being, lingering there like a Cancer. We rarely recognize that it has never fully left… but changed us inside, our DNA so to speak.

White candles flickering, I understand that I must embrace my ugly Truths as part of the human experience. The cumulative effect of loss has over time, can leave us spiritually paralyzed. As the soul grapples with the depth of our own woundedness, it becomes evident that finding a silent place daily to commune with God is lifeblood to a healthy soul.

A replay of things I have learned through prayer and fasting:

Intimacy with God requires silence of mind and body

Connection requires an intimate daily relationship with God

Be a seeker of Truth, even if it is painful

The Grace of God will cover us when we are willing to face difficult truths in our lives

God often speaks to us through others

As we begin to see others through the eyes of Christ, we gain wisdom and understanding

He can transform hearts of stone into hearts of clay

He has plans for each of us

God is only a whisper away, yet living in His fullness requires commitment

He will let us know when our work is finished

He is a God of forgiveness

He loves us, imperfections and all

We are the most harsh judge of ourselves and of others, God does not judge us as “good or bad”, we do

He will bring to life the dreams that you thought were dead

We were each created for a purpose

When I hold out my hand, He will fill it with His Love and Grace

Prayer, Fasting and Thoughts About Setting Up a Home Altar for Prayer

October 27, 2018 by Mary

One of the things my children tell me they remember while they were growing up is that every Tuesday was dedicated to prayer and fasting. I would light white candles on my home altar as a visual reminder that my day was dedicated to listening to what God had for me. Tuesday’s were Holy days. My children volunteered to join me in prayer and fasting Tuesday’s quite often. We never really talked about what we were praying for—we just prayed. Each Tuesday was a quiet day; a day with little talking, and when we did, it was in quiet voices.

In retrospect, I am so glad that I taught my children this discipline. They learned that whatever was going on in their lives, God was and is all-powerful. They are now adults, and I often call upon them to pray for me. I taught them that deep connectedness with God comes in the quiet places of our soul. Through the discipline of prayer, they have the tools to be “more than conquerors”…and for that, I am glad.

Each year, I dedicate the first week of December as a prayer and fasting week. I refrain from my blog, social media, shopping, talking on the phone and watching television. Rather, I spend time in God’s Word and drawing closer to him…preparing my heart for Christmas and the true meaning of the birth of Christ. It is a Holy time in our house.

Here are a few things I discovered from my retreat with God in December, 2012:

A time of prayer and fasting is like going on a retreat with God.

Intimacy with God requires silence of mind and body.

Connectedness requires an intimate daily relationship with God.

Be a seeker of Truth, even if it is painful.

The Grace of God will cover us when we are willing to face difficult truths in our lives.

God often speaks to us through others.

As we begin to see others through the eyes of Christ, we gain wisdom and understanding.

He can transform hearts of stone into hearts of clay.

He has plans for each of us.

God is only a whisper away, yet living in His fullness requires commitment.

He will let us know when our work is finished.

He is a God of forgiveness.

He loves us, imperfections and all.

We are the most harsh judge of ourselves and of others, God does not judge us as “good or bad”, we do.

He will bring to life the dreams that you thought were dead.

We were each created for a purpose.

When I hold out my hand, He will fill it with His Love and Grace.

We can pray and fast, regardless of our schedule. If you work outside the home, or have a busy schedule, you need only to dedicate your day to the Lord and pray inwardly—wherever you are…constantly reminding yourself that your day is dedicated to being one with the Creator. You do not have to fast for days, just dedicate a period that you will refrain from food because you are praying.

With a new year just around the corner, it is a good time to plan ahead for those changes we would like to make in our spiritual lives in the coming year.

I have chosen several of my favorite books on prayer, through our Amazon store…Although, one could say that I am a “collector” of books on prayer, as my bookshelves are lined with many books on this discipline. I find that sometimes it is easier for me to read the prayers of others to get started when I am having a difficult time.

Handle With Prayer, by Charles Stanley

The Only Necessary Thing:
Living a Prayerful Life, by Henri Nouwen

Prayers That Avail Much by Germaine Copeland

I want you to know that each of my blogging friends who ask for prayer have a special candle on my home altar and I DO pray for you!

Just a side note: The concept of a home altar is a visual reminder of the Light of Christ and the white candles represent His holiness. They are also a reminder to us of the people who have asked for prayer. In the Christian church, the altar is the area where the bread and wine are consecrated for communion. When you set up a home altar, it’s hard to miss a table full of lit candles…so it serves as a constant reminder to be in prayer.

Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints

1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing;

Prayers for Financial Victory

October 20, 2018 by Mary

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When You Need God To Hear Your Prayers

August 5, 2018 by Mary

I planted some flowers with my son last week. We laughed and chatted as I dug trenches in his front lawn to create something beautiful in his yard. He knows that I need to dig. It’s an act of love for me to create something beautiful for him to see when he pulls into his driveway at night at the end of a day with a stressful job…because we all need joy, something to distract us from the reality of the world and it’s hardness.

We parted ways for the evening and I gave him a hug, told him I would be praying for him and that we would talk the next day. This mama’s heart never imagined that I would get a call at 4 a.m. that my boy–the one with a gentle spirit, always eager to lend a helping hand-the one who has made me laugh a million times over-the one who is a great listener, a loving son and brother to his disabled sister. “Can you and dad come and take me to the hospital? I am in terrible pain and I don’t know what’s wrong.”

A week-long health crisis began in the wee hours that morning when we received the call. Our lives were suddenly put on hold and God showed us with great clarity, what was most important to us. Everything else–those inconsequential worries–the things that don’t matter, fell to the wayside.

Dan was rushed from one hospital to another and we almost lost our son, but God put people on his path that listened to the Holy Spirit and their inner courage to perform surgery for something that seemed unlikely, and saved his life.

During the surgery, I retreated to the hospital chapel that I had grown fond of during my days as a chaplain. I had spent many hours praying for patients and their families in this small room. I paced the floors during our sons surgery, crying out to God, praying aloud and reciting scripture until there were no words left in me. God showed me in that sacred little room that He heard my prayers and it was time to rest in it.

We don’t need to plead with Him. “Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need. The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6~7.

We don’t have to worry when we talk to God and ask Him for what we need. His peace comes to us to hold our hearts and minds through every kind of trial. He is still able to bring supernatural healing, even when it is beyond what we can understand. That’s the nature of faith~believing in things we cannot see and yet, we still believe.

I sat in silence, thinking about what a blessing my son has been in my life and how dearly he is loved by God. God’s presence filled the room and I could see His beautiful wings covering my son’s body on the operating table. They fluttered over him, touching and healing him. I rested in this, knowing that this peace could only be of Him.

When you feel worries rise up within you, the comfort of relying on Jesus can bring you joy. “When my worry is great within me, your comfort brings joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19 The peace of God washed over me like a flood and brought me joy as I thought about my son.

Jesus is the Great Physician-the only One worthy of our worship. There from the beginning of time, He created the moons, the heavens and the stars, so surely, He can ordain modern-day healing and miracles. Surely, He can grab hold of our hearts and drench us with His love. Surely, His wings can hover over broken bodies in operating rooms. Surely, He can use the hands of a young surgeon to perform His miracles. Just as He uses the stars and the moon to show us when night falls upon the land, He brings hope with each new sunrise. I sat and wondered at the cross, knowing that God had heard my prayers. He already had a hope and a future for my son and He wasn’t going to let go. He held on tight to our hearts and drenched us with His supernatural love for us. He fought for us because that’s what He does.

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

If you are going through difficulty, know that the Lord will fight for you. You don’t have to earn His reward, it’s freely given. He still performs miracles and healing. We don’t have to worry when we talk to God and ask Him for what we need. His peace comes to us to hold our hearts and minds through every kind of trial. He is still able to bring supernatural healing, even when it is beyond what we can understand. That’s the nature of faith~believing in things we cannot see and yet, we still believe. We don’t have to be anyone special to receive healing, as we are His children and He has already chosen us through His supernatural love for us.

Be still and know that He is God and your battle is already won. The Lord our God is all-powerful, is still alive and His love for you is relentless.

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

Be Patient

April 26, 2018 by Mary

Be Patient

Sometimes we long for things to come to us-here and now. We suffer in the waiting and want to give up.I think about the times I have wanted to give up. Sometimes it’s just because I am physically, spiritually or emotionally tired. Other times that I have wanted to give up, as though I was disappointed with God and behaving like an angry child. “I’m quitting. Nope. Not doing it. All done. I give up. Sorry God. Game over.”

Have you ever had that kind of conversation with God?

Here are some thoughts to help you get through your season of waiting:

1. Step away from whatever it is that is causing you to feel hopeless or overwhelmed.

2. Rest your body. Get the sleep you need to help your body restore itself.

3. Pray your way through the situation. Keep praying.

4. Recite scripture that gives you hope in God’s promises. Write them down, keep them in your purse or a place that you will see them as a reminder that God is at work.

5. Give praise for prayers already answered.

The best is yet to come. Be patient.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

If you are struggling with a season of waiting, perhaps you would like to work through one or two of my workbooks:

You can also join a more private conversation about hope over on my Patreon page, where I post several times per week on CHOOSING HOPE… because sometimes we just need to hear it from someone else. Amen?