Pray More

Gratitude Comes Before Joy

 

It's November, harvest season, leaves are falling off the trees, it's getting dark earlier in the day and easy for me to just cuddle up with a hot cup of tea and read a great book that feeds my soul. It's the month of Thanksgiving where I'm from and many all over social media are taking steps to recognize people and blessings to be thankful for in their lives. It’s the time of year when people are the most compassionate and giving.

But for some the holiday season is the worst time of the year as the painful memories of loss or unreconciled relationships are brought to the forefront of your mind and you emotionally spiral down that dark tunnel of depressive thoughts. Thoughts being the key as to whether you stay down in the dark hole or walk in the light of God’s presence.

A year ago at this time I was staying at a beautiful home in the mountains of New Hampshire resting in the presence of the Father completing my latest book, Talk Less Pray More. It's about the closest experience I could imagine to being in Eden before the fall of man, yet I was grieving before my Father in heaven wondering how I could get the joy back that I once had. I was tired and weary of the spiritual battles that not only I was facing but those around me. I didn't want to fight any more. I just wanted to go away and hide. No more Lord, I cried out to Him!

I reached out to a couple of mighty women of God and asked about regaining joy. Not knowing one another they both gave me the same answer. In order to keep the joy of the Lord one must choose to walk in gratitude. As I worked my way out of the dark hole I made a commitment to ponder each day the things I was grateful for in my life and write them down. From the loving and encouraging people God has blessed me with to random acts of kindness. It might be a phone call from someone calling me to thank me for praying for them and how God did great things or a fellow driver letting me out into traffic. I admit, “it worked.” The more I chose to walk in gratitude the more I experienced the joy of the Lord. I recently heard a pastor say he had experienced more intimacy with God than ever before because he made a commitment to do something each day that would bring joy to the Lord.

This past Sunday during worship the Holy Spirit moved in me as I cried out from the depths, “Bless the Lord oh my soul.” You hear those words all the time in Christian circles don’t you? What does it actually mean? If you define the soul it is a combination of your mind, will and emotions. So imagine how much your life would be transformed if you decided that all throughout your days your mind, will and emotions would bless the Lord. What does that look like in your life? Would there be more love? Would there be more forgiveness? Would there be more grace?

I can attest to the fact that the answer is a big “YES” to each of those questions as I contemplate this journey I’ve been on for the past twelve months. As I intercede for God’s kingdom He’s let me see His heart for the people He loves so deeply and I witness His grace daily. I am forever grateful for His presence and that His burden is light as I chose to bless the Lord with all my soul.

The key component is you determining what you will think about. Will it be praise and thanksgiving toward God in heaven or the temporary setbacks that occurred in your life today. I know it’s difficult during some seasons. The pain can be so deep and heart wrenching, but I dare you to take the first step and decide to walk in gratitude. As you take those steps to recognize the little miracles happening in your day before you know it they will add up to a great, big pile of leaves that you can jump into, roll in and give shouts of  enthusiasm as a child would do because it’s a moment of JOY! 

Choose to bless the Lord with all your soul, transformation will come and joy will remain. Now go jump in a pile of leaves. :) 

At Every Opportunity Pray

How often do you sense the Holy Spirit moving you to pray with others? Do you act on the nudge or shrug it off saying to yourself, maybe later. Prayer being one of the greatest opportunities to bring people together allows God to move in His power and show Himself to be more real and bring Him glory.

I traveled this past weekend and had the chance to minister and pray with others spontaneously as I visited with various different people. When a disaster or tragedy happens what is your first instinct? Mine is to pray! I want God to intervene in the situation to save, heal, and restore people.

I was visiting with a precious elderly couple who I hadn't seen in over a year and suddenly there was an bad accident at a factory in the community. A terrible fire happened and firefighters and rescue workers had been on the scene for over three hours. When we got the information my immediate response was, we need to pray. People in this home are not use to this. We turned on the tv to see the news and after about 2-3 minutes I suggested we all come together, grab hands and pray. We stood together before our Father in heaven and prayed in unity. As we finished I could see the Holy Spirit touch their hearts with warmth that their prayers made a difference and encourage them to do it more often.

During this time I received a call from out of town from a dear young man in his teens to give me news that his brother had just suffered a knee injury while competing in a regional tournament that he was slotted for first place and go on to state championships the following weekend. The injury forced him to bow out gracefully. I felt such compassion for the young man as we all wanted him to win. The attitude, dedication to the team and leadership he displays would make anybody want him to succeed. As I listened to all the details and we experienced the discouragement together I requested that we pray. This young man was more than willing although it's not typically something he does with others in his everyday life.

The following day as I attended a Sunday morning service where I was visiting I saw the enemy try to wreak havoc with a spirit of confusion in the congregation as statements were being made openly during a part of the service. I stood up to stop any confusion and said a few words. Not many, as the Lord convicted me to be quiet and pray. As the service ended I went up to the lady involved and told her I hoped there wasn't any spirit of condemnation that occurred and if there was I was truly sorry. I explained what I saw happening in the atmosphere. We came together as sisters in Christ prayed together and let His love flow from one to the other.

As I came back to Atlanta I had the privilege to meet a wonderful elderly couple who shared with me a serious burden God put on their hearts to start small prayer groups. It was a special visit God blessed as we shared parts of our journey and the clarity God has given us to stand before God in prayer often and intercede for so many of the issues the Father has put on our hearts. As our visit came to an end we stood, grabbed hands and prayer together.

Some of these I may never know the whole outcome but I can tell you how God moved in a very short period of time.

1. The fire was taken care of at the factory with no lives lost and no injuries. Glory to God!

2. The young man who had to end his athletic season early due to an injury showed amazing character as he continued to support his team on the sidelines and people in his community were there to love and support him during a temporary setback. Character is not an easy thing to build in us and usually it takes challenges that come along to truly see the person.

3. The couple who desires to start the prayer groups received more confirmation as we talked about the assignment God has given them. We all walked away feeling encouraged and blessed by the fellowship and time in prayer. 

Imagine the wonderful things that can happen if we choose to PRAY MORE and watch the amazing things God will do? Are there stories you can share that will encourage us and show how God moved in your life and those around you? Please share them in the comments?!