I am no professional.
When I have to pray outl oud, my armpits sweat.
Color illuminates my cheeks.
I stammer.
It ends up sounding really hollow.
“God, bless the food. And my family. And can we have world peace? Amen.”
I am serious.
I asked our pastor, Shane, in our recent podcast (number 31!) how he prays when he realllllllllly needs to pray hard.
We’ve talked about prayer posture before.
And we’ve talked about the “Our Father” prayer.
What is a specific strategic prayer and what might it sound like?
- Quote the dang Bible ya’ll. That means you actually have to open it up and find a scenario that applies to you. But guess what? Even if you ask God to heal the sick person in your life just like he used Elijah to heal the widows sick (and dead) child, if it isn’t in God’s will you may get a big, fat, hurtful no. (sigh)
- Proclaim in Jesus’ name that you believe: blank. Whatever your prayer, be it small or large. Tell God you know He is faithful. Tell God you know He can do it and will do it. Tell God you have seen it before and if you haven’t, remind Him of a time He did it in the Old Testament. God loves to know we are searching His word for comfort and knowledge. When we proclaim His power, He just might have a big surprise for us.
- Pray together. For heaven’s sake, don’t be like me. Don’t be afraid to call up a friend, ask them to pray with you and for the love of the Lord just pray out loud. And while you’re at it, remind God what he said! Remind God that he asked us to come in pairs as husband and wife, as neighbors, as friends to pray. He asked us to solidify our belief in prayer together, out loud. Just do it and then put on some more deodorant, because if you’re like me you’re wearing that all natural kind that doesn’t do anything against nervous sweat from praying out lou
- Call up your pastor. Get the oils. Anoint the house if you feel like you’re being attacked. Anoint your kids clothes if you feel like they need protection . Anoint the sick. The Bible says so. So does Shane, take a listen! (see links above)
Friends, I know it’s been a long while. Without getting into negative things that you can read on your social media feeds all day long, the truth is, I had an epiphany and a change of heart and to be 100% honest, I’m not sure what I am doing. I don’t know where Mom-DentityTM is going. I will continue to finish the book as God finishes a work in me. After that, I don’t know how widely publicized it will be because I vow to remain authentic, which means I refuse to support most social media platforms. I also refuse to take the advise of every single publisher and agent I’ve spoken to and “grow a social media presence in order to sell my book.” That doesn’t sound like something I want to spend my time on. But you know what? God can make a way. I don’t have to do what people here on Earth say I have to do to make something “successful.” So. In the name of Jesus here I am testing the spirit. Go on, God. Show me a way where there is no way. I say the same about our podcast we are so excited to publish each week (with the exception of summertime.) Shane and I come up with some good stuff. But, again, neither of us wants to spend our time growing our audience online when we really want to ask God to make a way. So, will you join me in prayer asking God to make a way in the world for us to get our messages out through other means?