I am learning. Always learning.
Sometimes I wish so badly that I could go back and do the last 20 years of my life over again. And if I could, here is one thing I would do differently:
I would pray – believing.
I could weep when I think of the years I spent telling people I would pray for them, but not truly believing in this God of awesome magnitude. I would look at their situation and feel there was nothing that could possibly be changed. Hopeless situations looked just like that: hopeless.
You see, I was looking at the problem and not the Problem Solver.
If I could do it all again, I would believe with the simple faith of a child. Have you ever watched your 3-year-old? Listened to their tiny, innocent hearts? They are so trusting. They will believe everything you say.
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:2-4
The prayer prayed with the faith of a trusting child-like heart. This changes things.
This forgotten ministry of prayer has a funny twist to it, though. You would think it moves mountains, takes down giants, and destroys evil intentions. And it does. But sometimes I find those mountains and those giants are not someone else’s . . . but are my own.
Praying in true faith changes not only the recipient, but also the one praying.
I have learned that this God I love with all my heart, who holds the world together with His hand, who has changed me from the inside out . . . He hears. He has answered prayers in ways I could not imagine. Yet it is not always with a “yes”. I am learning to pray in faith – knowing He knows best. I believe that He is able, if He so wishes.
Those of us who are not the movers and shakers of this world . . . who are not the preachers and teachers . . . but who are the quiet ones, the supporters, the stay-at-home mommies – listen to me. This is your ministry. This is your calling. But the world has underrated it. They have perverted it in so many ways. It is not centering down to some silent place within your consciousness or going to a specific prayer room.
Read the psalms and you will find that David prayed all. the. time. He adored his God. He prayed in crazy places, acting like a crazy person, and being hunted all over the countryside by a crazy king. He begged, he pleaded, he cried through the night. And God rewarded him by calling him “a man after His own heart”.
My kitchen is where I go to war with demons who threaten to take the souls of those I love. My garden is where I shed tears as I intreat the Throne . . . over and over. I pray while I fold laundry, wash dishes, and cook mega meals.
And I believe He hears.
Yet sometimes the hardest part of praying in faith comes when we say “amen”.
In all this praying, there comes a time when I must tell the Father, “I place this battle in your hands now. It is yours. I will see what You will do with it.” And simply trust Him.
You might be “just a mom.”
Or a single woman, or elderly man, or strapping teenager.
Yet we can mercilessly pound the gates of heaven.
Let us whisper in His ear this awful burden on our heart.
This world needs more weeping prophets as we cling to His hand.
Be relentless in this ministry . . . and it just might change you.
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Betsy says
How I needed this today. Illness has sidelined me from my “normal” life for much of the past year, and I have felt worthlessness no able to help or work with others as I normally do. But at can, and do, pray always. I need the reminder that this is the most important thing we can do for someone. Thank you.
Blessings,
Betsy
Kendra says
Oh Betsy! I am sorry to hear of your illness. Illness and pain have a way of discouraging God’s mightiest warriors. Even though you cannot do what you used to – remember you ARE still needed!
Patty Wiens says
Very good! That is the way I feel, I call it the silent ministry. Thank you Kendra.
Kendra says
So welcome!
Mindy says
Thank u Kendra your making me tear up
Kendra says
You’re welcome!
Ruth says
I’m praying for my son to become a christian. Every minute. I belive that even if i’m sleeping the sad heart i fell asleep with goes ‘up there. The burden on my heart gets lifted by the firm believe HE is able.
Kendra says
Keep on praying! He hears.
Wilma Christner says
H i Kendra, Yes your comments on prayer are right on. I can testify on the amazing way God answers prayer in ways far beyond what I could ask or think. He does it so effortlessly. And for his glory. I still have many issues to pray about. I often have to remind myself of what He’s done in the past. He will answer in His time and way, Wilma
Kendra says
Very true! He is so faithful.