Here’s a prayer for those times when you have no idea how to pray.
This past week held some events that troubled my heart greatly. This one brought me to tears.
The neighbor children which God placed right smack in front of us to love and care for… moved. What a change! No longer are we interrupted by their taps on our door multiple times a day. Sure, I’ll get more work done now, but the thing is, I don’t want to get more work done, I want to make a difference in two kids’ lives. To make things worse… we have no idea where they have moved. Their mentally ill parent decided that we were their enemy and for a few weeks, it’s been quiet here. We even tried to invite the children to a restaurant for ice cream, but their parent would have no part of it. And then, a few days later, the moving truck came and they vanished. No warning, goodbyes, no parting hugs or gifts, or plans for dinners, or hikes, or game nights. Nada.
For two years, short of 3 months, we have poured our hearts and the love of God into these precious lives. We’ve gone outside our convenience zone. Yet, I have regrets. Like most adults, we look at our obligations and think we don’t have time for child’s play. I’m sorry for the many times I said, “I’m busy or I’m too tired,” when asked to play ball or Yahtzee or just hang out.
One thing I know for sure, these kids need me to pray for them, often. And no one can stop that.
Their little lives were already challenging. Today, I can only imagine what they are going through and it breaks my heart, so I pray.
The prayer of a godly person is powerful. It makes things happen.
James 5:16
When you know you should pray for someone, but don’t know how…
HERE’S A PRAYER STRAIGHT FROM THE BIBLE:
This is my prayer for you: that your love will grow more and more; that you will have knowledge and understanding with your love; that you will see the difference between good and bad and will choose the good; that you will be pure and without wrong for the coming of Christ; that you will be filled with the good things produced in your life by Christ to bring glory and praise to God.
Philippians 1:9-11
It’s a prayer you can pray for your friends, your spouse, and your children… anyone you know or have been asked to pray for.
You can even pray it for yourself.
When you pray it “over” someone, you might pray it like this…
Lord, I pray for “insert name,” that your love will grow in him/her more and more; that “Thomas” will have knowledge and understanding with that love you’ve given him/her; that “Sarah” will see the difference between good and bad and will choose the good; that “Thomas” will be pure and without wrong at the time of your coming; that “Sarah” will be filled with the good things produced in his/her life by Christ and bring glory and praise to you, God.
In the Name of Jesus we ask this, Amen.
The next time God brings someone to mind and you know that you need to pray, but have no idea how to pray… pray Philippians 1:9-11. It’s a powerful prayer.
And remember…. that when a godly person prays… things happen.
It’s JoyDay!
And time to get our joy meters soaring!
Please join me in thinking back over the past week and counting seven things for which you are thankful. This simple exercise of counting and giving thanks together in this space is something we do each week to reset our compasses and put our eyes back on the Lord.
I’ll start…
Thank you, God for…
- nearly two years of encouraging, loving, showing 2 children how to live life fully, in Jesus.
- loving these kids more than we do and knowing You will hold them in the palm of Your hand.
- several days of much-needed sunshine.
- for Your provision so that we are able to bless some friends.
- a fun lunch and quick shopping excursion with a dear friend.
- knowing you not only fight for us… YOU ARE victorious!
- for future grace… keep us strong as we wait on You.
Now…it’s YOUR turn!
List your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below. You’ll be glad you did.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet thoughts.
Receive FREE inspiration like this in your inbox!
Sign up Now.
If you found this post helpful….please pass it on to your friends.
Thank You God…..
1. for answered prayers for my childhood Friend and her daughter who both are suffering life threatening medical issues….
2. for going before and paving the way in a meeting that I had this week…
3. for greater understanding of my work situation….
4. for a delightful day of shopping and lunch with my neighbor and good friend….
5. for an perfectly beautiful sunny weekend….
6. for your unconditional Love, patience, provision, guidence and protection….
7. for the loving support and encouragement from my Family and Friends…..
I will be praying with you and Tim, Diane for Thomas and Sarah’s well being and for a hedge of protection around them….
I love your heart of gratitude, Debbi, and rejoice with you for God’s kindness and touch on your life and your dear friends. Thank you, too, for your prayers for the children. Trusting HIM!!!
Praying your week is filled with peace and joy. xoxo
Oh how sorry I am to hear the news of your little friends.
I know the heartbreak of it. Over the years, even before my husband and I had our own babies the kids around us were at our house. Always.
I know you are sad and worried about them but just trust that whatever the reason God put you in their lives has been fulfilled. The job you and your husband were sent to do has been done. And I’m sure it was done well.
And I’m sure they will never forget you and the blessings you gave them.
Lord this week I am thankful for,
1. My dad is still sick and in nursing/rehabilitation home BUT when we spoke this morning he said he is feeling a little stronger.
2. Miss. C. just returned home from her trip, safe and sound.
3. It has been beastly cold lately, and that makes me appreciate my warm comfy bed so much more.
4. Lately I have been having so much fun changing my house with paint and wood scraps my son gave me. While doing this I have also been “shopping” in my closet. I have some wonderful family items that can come out now that kids are grown.
5. The joy of a good book.
6. One of my daughters in law gave me such a beautiful and unexpected compliment the day.
We really did get the best daughters in law.
7. And because I am a little girl deep down inside I’m thankful for candy, popcorn, soda pop, cartoons, coloring, jumping in squares (hopscotch) and dancing and singing at the top of my lungs in my living room.
Put your trust in our Lord my friend. He never makes mistakes ❤️
Blessings to you!
Minnie
I too got the pang of hurt as I read this post today. I felt a loss for you too. And as mentioned above, your time is not “over” but complete. I’d feel that way in my classroom when a foster child I’d grown attached to was suddenly taken away without warning. I’d weep. But I was not in control. I prayed. I wept. But I knew. I was sent for a season. You were sent for that season. Tears. A prayer for you too.
Your photos are as always so cheerful. When do you see signs of spring?
1. My husband is trusting the Lord. In many areas. And praising Him. Even in pain and another mini operation.
2. God knows me and loves me.
3. A birthday celebration that ended up being just three of us but being ok.
4. Rain. Rain. Rain. Then snow in our mountains. Praise God!! He is showing His power over our drought. Mighty is God!
5. Time to rest and we even had an outing.
6. There will be order out of chaos. I must believe.
7. We are blessed. I’m thankful for my parents and happy memories. I’m thankful for childhood friends I still talk to today. I’m thankful for my husband who is understanding my disability and helping me too. I’m thankful for the Bible which teaches me new things each day.
Prayer is a powerful act! For the last several years, I have prayed through my FB friends list as my Lenten discipline. I think we can do better at teaching our kiddos different ways to pray. As the Director of Youth and Congregational Life, that is my goal. To truly help families live out Deut 6:4-9! Blessed to be your neighbor over at Porch Stories this week!
Dear Diane, wh a time a blessing it is to visit you. It light of my granddaughter’s recent injury here’s my list:
1.thanks for people who go out of their way to love on kids;
2. Thanks for medical care close to the place of the accident;
3. Thanks for the patience and compassion of medical personnel with an hysterical 10 year old girl;
4. Thanks for medical insurance;
5. Thanks for good friends who offer childcare and meals without hesitation;
6. Thanks for sick days and compassionate bosses;
7. Thank for foundational faith that prompted my granddaughter to ask her mother to pray with her in an extremely stressful moment.
Prayers for you and your husband, Diane as you continue to love on these children in a new way. Prayers for them, and prayers for their mother.
Thankful for people that share the word of God like you Diane! This is a heart wrenching story of your neighbors. Too many kids are growing up lost right now. Thanks for sharing this at Home Sweet Home!
I will feature this tomorrow at Home Sweet Home! Have a good weekend!