Praying.

I pray often throughout my day. I pray in the morning when I get up. I pray in bed, in the stillness of the night when all is quiet and the darkness envelops the bed. I pray at church since we know that “where two or three are gathered, there I am in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20, funny how it comes to me in the KJV). I pray in my car.

I pray for different people – my husband, my children, my grandchildren, my parents, family, friends.

And for varied situations – finances, health, jobs, houses, parenting, coaching, youth groups, churches, school work.

I’m feeling challenged to pray more frequently, for more things. I’m challenged to pray more boldly. Since reading Mark Batterson’s book, The Circle Maker and writing about it all of the month of October (which you can read about here), praying has taken on a whole new meaning and perspective for me.

Recently I have found myself navigating waters new to me. To be honest, they are waters I much rather would not have had needed to enter at all. But if there was to be no avoidance, then prayer was going to be the life jacket I strapped on.

Now you need to know, I am a life jacket sort of woman. Yeah, I wear one at all times when in water. I never swim without one. A life jacket brings me a certain level of comfort, security, and safety I very much enjoy. And in case you haven’t figured it out, I’m saying a life jacket keeps me alive. I would be dead in the water, sinking like a rock. Trust me, there is not even a hint of embellishment in those words.

I read these words and they flat out became a life jacket to me. They wrapped themselves around me, bringing such renewed focus and challenge to my prayers. This struck me as odd as they were a rebuke to the people when Paul delivered them ….

“Be careful! Don’t let the prophets’ words apply to you. For they said, ‘Look, you mockers, be amazed and die! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.” (Acts 13:40-41, NLT)

Like a bolt it hit me – He is doing something in my day!

In the middle of our situations, in the mundane, in the new, He is doing something. Each and every day.

It lit a new fire inside of me to pray. Boldly. Expectantly. Invitingly. Asking Him to be a part of this day and situation. I found myself desiring God to do something in the midst of my day which no one would believe, or at the least they would be surprised, if I told them about it.

Over the last few days, I shared, very specifically, something I was praying and asking God to do with just a few who are close to me. I’ll be honest and say that I was concerned they would think I was crazy or perhaps gone off the deep end. And then, I realized I really did not care what anyone thought. For if, just maybe, God answered this prayer on behalf of someone else, I would be astounded and ever so grateful to Him. Perhaps those I shared my prayer with would come to see how God works in and through the power of prayer.

And not for nothing, today He showed up big! He answered my prayer on behalf of someone else. Their day was made just ever so much easier as He responded to my prayer.

And me? I received the joy of knowing – He truly is doing something in my day!

I’m beginning to learn this is a day by day – or perhaps a prayer by prayer – kind of journey He has me on. But today, the tears are flowing as I have witnessed Him do something in my day. I am humbled and blown away to know He heard my prayer.

Today may you hear His words –

“I am doing something in your day.”

Something you wouldn’t believe even if …

someone told you about it.”

Today I am joining … Thought Provoking Thursday and Coffee for Your Heart and Hearts For Home  .