Our Journey Continues - Relearning Prayer
On a cold morning in 2009, when our youngest son, Zach, was a mere 19 years old, we dropped him off at the airport to begin a long journey that would take him to Davos, Switzerland, then onto Nagano, Japan, for a seven month mission’s trip. After a very tearful goodbye (on my part), we began the quiet trip home. As we pulled away from the airport terminal, I clearly hear God say, “You’re going to learn how to pray differently through this.”
“Oh great!” I thought, as I’d never considered intercession to be one of my spiritual gifts. “I’m too ADHD for that, God! You understand, don’t You?!” Up to that point, my prayer life most often consisted of brief moments taken whenever prayer happened to come to mind. Looking back, I believe I had almost taken a stance of apathy, as I convinced myself that I should leave the really serious battle-fighting prayers to those who had been given this gift. Nevertheless, almost immediately my prayer life increased in focus and determination, consisting of intentional intercessions for God to protect, provide for, and surround my boy.
One particular morning, I woke around 4:00 a.m., knowing I needed to pray for Zach. Upon Stan awakening, I asked him to join me and we prayed until we felt the release to stop. What we were praying for, other than protection, I had no idea. Later that afternoon Zach called, telling us that earlier that day he had snowboarded off course, resulting in his being stuck up to his chest in snow, unable to move. After many unheard cries for help, he began to feel his lungs freeze up. He felt he might die and he called out to God, when suddenly, an episode of Survivor Man came to mind. Mimicking what Survivor Man did to escape a similar situation, Zach freed himself to safety, a bit shaken, but certainly a bit wiser. Thank you Jesus for hearing our prayers and thank you Survivor Man!
Once again we've found ourselves in such a season, wherein an intensified prayer life isn't only a good idea, but a matter of life and death – Zach being seriously assaulted and injured on New Year’s Day; surgeries; criminal proceedings for his assailant; relationship and ministry challenges; a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure have changed our lives. This revelation, accompanied with a strong desire to not succumb to the temptation of “Woe is me,” caused us to understand it was time to “relearn” how to pray. We wanted freshness in our prayer life.
We quickly determined a day wouldn’t go by without our praying, individually and as a couple, not only for ourselves, but for anyone and everyone who had need. We knew simple prayers alone wouldn’t be enough. Although powerful in and of themselves, we knew our cries to God must be accompanied with outrageous thanksgiving, God’s Word, and faith.
The result has been nothing short of transformational, changing us from the inside out. “Lord, I give you my heart, please give me Yours,” has come to life, as we see our outlook and attitudes becoming more like Christ, and health and healing coming to Stan’s physical body. “Woe is me,” hasn’t been a struggle or temptation. God has refreshed our prayer life with greater authenticity, generosity, faith and transparency.
Perhaps you’ve recently found yourself in a “rut”, or like me, a bit apathetic in regards to prayer. I’m not going to lie – it takes time and intentionality. But as we’re learning, I would like to share with you three key elements that could possibly help, if you’re in such a place, to experience a greater depth of communication and intercession with our Heavenly Father.
Each day when you pray:
RECALL GOD'S BLESSINGS – Recognizing and recalling God’s blessings changes our thoughts, heart, and actions. Experts have proven brain chemistry is literally transformed when we intentionally dwell on the positive (God’s goodness) rather than the negative. Beginning your prayer time by recognizing God’s blessings - lessons learned, God’s provision and patience, family, friends, good doctor’s visits, a beautiful day, your home, etc., allows and enables us to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” Nothing is too big or too small. We can then lean into the pain and not miss the lessons and blessings.
DECLARE AND LIVE GOD'S WORD (both in prayer and life) – Have you ever wondered why some Christians always seem to be victorious in fighting the enemy, while others are barely making it, slaughtered even? I know I have. The difference is the implementation of God’s Word in their lives. Believing in Jesus as our Savior makes us SAVED, but reading and living by His Word makes us SAFE. God’s Word is powerful, effective, and sharper than any two edged sword. It’s our greatest weapon! But we have to both believe and live it - disarming and disabling the enemy and his tactics.
PRAY IN FAITH – Hebrew 1:11 boldly states “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The Voice translation puts it this way: “Faith is the assurance of things you have hoped for, the absolute conviction that there are realities you’ve never seen.” Faith isn’t denying the reality of the challenge, but thanking God in advance for His help and answers – believing that He is able to do that which we are asking – greater even! Each night we thank God in advance for his healing of not only Stan, but our friends with cancer, heart issues, emotional challenges and financial struggles. We thank Him for His intervention and answers, believing that He’s true to His Word!
Obviously, I realize that in regards to prayer, this is just the tip of the iceberg. However I pray our recent insights, convictions and practices will both encourage and inspire you to dig deeper in your prayer life. Trust me – if this ADHD girl can make these changes, you can too!
Thank you for reading, praying and encouraging us! We love and appreciate you so very much! Stan is doing well and continuing to improve! Only three weeks until his echocardiogram. We are praying and believing for an increased heart pumping capacity!
May God pour out His greatest blessings upon you during this season and may you experience Him to a greater and more powerful degree – enabling you to live and love like Christ!
Much love,
Cammie (and Stan)
