Yesterday, I committed to pray for you and I did. I prayed for each of you by name and for the others you mentioned as well. My aim was to bless and encourage you, and yet, the day was a lot like when I minister at a conference. As I pour out, God refills.
Funny how we think prayer is some sort of work. It wasn’t at all! It was a glorious day! I spent it in the presence of God. What could be better? Nothing, absolutely nothing.
I began to wonder what life would be like if you and I lived (intentionally) in God’s presence. Is that sort of life REALLY doable? I think so. Jesus lived in constant contact with the Father so we can. In fact, in John 15, Jesus tells us to “abide” or “remain” in Him. Think about it. If you and were to acknowledge the presence of God “with us” every moment of every day, our lives would be much different. We would fear less, doubt less, and sin less. We would believe more, trust more, bear more fruit, experience more peace and joy, pray more, and witness more.
Imagine sending your husband to work and your kids to school. Instead of fretting over the peer pressure your child might face while you throw in a load of laundry, you’d talk to God about it instead.
“Lord, I can’t be with my child but you can. Watch over him today. Protect him from the wrong influence and help him to only desire what is good, holy, and pure.”
The result would be peace.
Instead of worrying about whether or not your husband will come home with a pink slip in hand, you’d talk to God about as you run errands around town.
“God, you are our Provider. I trust that no matter what happens in this economy, you will continue to provide for our family. Help me be supportive of my husband when he needs it most-even when I’m tired. Ease his stress and help him to look to and lean on you instead of his employer.”
The result would be hope.
What if you talked to God about your dad’s salvation as you prepare dinner?
“Oh, Lord, turn the eyes of my dad from darkness to light so that he would know truth, so that his sins would be forgiven, and eternal life his forever more.”
Instead of feeling despair, you would experience joy as you look forward to that day.
I believe if you and I will talk to God today a bit more than we did yesterday, we’ll begin to rise from the wreckage, the worry, the doubt, and the fear. I believe we would start to experience the Christian life as it’s meant to be lived—filled with faith, hope, joy and peace.
Let’s start by using one of Paul’s prayers. I love this prayer. As I stated yesterday, there is more power in God’s words than mine. So then, what could be more powerful than to pray scripture back to God?
Paul’s prayer is found in Ephesians 1: 16-21: (I’ve taken these verses from The Message) Let’s make it personal:
16. I couldn’t stop thanking God for you – every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks.
(Humm…that’s interesting. Paul couldn’t STOP talking to God about us.)
17. But I do more than thank. I ask – ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory – to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, (now, repeat this verse back in your own words. Something like this:
“Dear God, give me a spirit of wisdom, revelation, and knowledge so that I might know you.”
18. your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians,
“Help me to see with spiritual eyes my purpose, and help me understand and live the Christian life–one filled with peace, power, joy, and faith.”
19. oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him – endless energy, boundless strength!
“Lord, continue to do your good work in me. And strengthen me for everything I must do.”
20. All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven,
“Give me the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.”
21. in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever.
“No one is greater than you, oh, God. I praise your holy name forever and ever, a-men.”
Micca Campbell-Helping Women Live Carefree in God’s Care
Diane Rumley says
Thank you Micca for your faithfulness. Praying that 2010 is your most blessed year yet!
Hugs,
Diane 😉
Gaylene says
This is so timely. Thank you for being true to the Father and writing this.
Colleen says
Thank you for praying for me, Micca. I truly need new eyes to see and a prayerful heart to grasp what God is trying to show me as a path for my life. I need to somehow feel His peace instead of my pain, and make choices that will lead me closer to Him.
Beth.. One Blessed Nana says
Micca – I just want to say thank you for this post and thank you for your awesome book. I am almost through with "An Untroubled Heart" and it has really spoken to my spirit and helped me to deal with some of my fears.
You are an amazing woman of Christ and I pray blessing abundant on you this coming year.
Beth