Posted on by landktheluckyones

Faith and Prayers

I’ve always been a believer in the power of prayer. That God could do anything, if we just asked. I still believe this to be true. I’ve been doing a personal study on a book entitled, “When God Doesn’t Fix It”. This study, along with some life experiences have challenged some of my thinking.

Many times, I have asked God for solutions and He has answered those prayers in positive ways that I would never have expected. What happens though, when things we ask for don’t turn out as we had hoped?

We can passively say, “It wasn’t within His will”. There is truth in statement, we feel… UNTIL..

The diagnosis-a sickness that causes you to not even remember what healthy looked like- a broken relationship-a loved ones ongoing addiction-loss of someone dear- job loss-the list goes on. At these times, passively stating, “Well, it’s God’s will just doesn’t cut it, even though this is ultimately true.

In prayer, as well with every other area of our lives, it seems to be a struggle with self vs submission. I’m learning that it isn’t about the final outcome. It is our journey of submission. Sometimes, it is our brokenness that will help others.

I have to ask myself: Are my prayers focused on just my desires? Or can I look beyond my desires and remember that I am here to further the Kingdom of God? For that IS our mission. That IS the will of God. Remembering that even when He doesn’t “fix it”, He is faithful. He is good.

It is about putting my hand in His. Through the pain, through the struggles, through the blessings. As we submit everything to Him, His will is lived through us to touch a dying world.

What I ask myself and you, is this. Do I have faith in just faith? That what I ask for will be answered because I believe? OR Do I have faith in the One who holds my hand -the One who holds the universe together and doesn’t want anyone to perish? That any pain that I have in this life will further His Kingdom? Do I truly believe that God is Good, All the time? I DO! Even if I cannot see it at the present time, that it is good.

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

Posted on by landktheluckyones

Contemplating

It seems that I am in a season of contemplation. Many thoughts of life, death, blessings, disappointments. Many times, we think we have life all figured out, only to find that we don’t. So many things that we can’t understand or explain away.

I have seen devastation and blessing. Every week, there are so many prayers for hurting people. At the same time, people are receiving blessings in their lives. Isn’t that how life is? A series of ups and downs that change our lives from here on out. We are either making memories or clinging to the ones from the past.

It challenges me to not be so self-centered. There are many opportunities to rejoice with someone over the blessings they receive. Or to be blessed myself over spending precious moments with a friend, as I did this week. I feel the Spirit within me is encouraging me to endure and be long in my prayers for those whose lives have been forever altered by the loss of a loved one, an accident that they may not fully recover from, a diagnosis or a host of unfortunate events. Often, people pray when the event occurs, but quickly go about their lives as if nothing happened..but, the people whose life has forever altered, there is no more normal. They have to learn to navigate broken.

This golf team that was in an accident has been on my heart. The coach is not doing well. All the kids on this team have been affected. Newspaper articles claimed the team had minor injuries. Yet, I have learned that many have years of rehabilitation needed for their broken bones and also for the emotional impact. Will we remember them when they are out of the hospital and have that long recovery period? Do we remember those who have lost their significant other, child or close friend? May this not be.

I have decided that I will not quit bringing all I know who are hurting before the Lord, for their hurting does not end. It is altered. They will function again in a different way. I will continue to ask Him for His comfort and strength to surround them. Not just for a time but until they meet Him or I do, which ever comes first.

Even though I have always felt extremely blessed when I see someone that I haven’t seen for awhile or those I used to see on a daily basis. I will thank Him more for each moment that I get to spend with these precious people. Whether that moment is just a brief “Hello” or an afternoon of enjoyable conversation. In doing this we will continue to be…The Lucky Ones, blessed by God.