God Sees It All
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13
The other day I had the joy of going to a wedding shower. It was about an hour away, so I was on the highway, listening to some praise music, enjoying the drive and watching the GPS because I would have to soon exit onto another highway. Suddenly a large SUV came flying by my left side and nearly cut me off. He pulled into my lane, nearly hitting me, then proceeded to weave in and out of traffic across four lanes and was speeding close to 100 mph (161 kph) (the speed limit was 70mph). It startled me at first, it was so reckless. Then I was concerned and a bit annoyed. I literally prayed out loud, “Lord, let the police see that person and pull them over before they cause an accident!”. The words were hardly out of my mouth when another vehicle passed me quickly on the left … It was a state trooper. I laughed out loud, God heard my prayer and answered within moments! That trooper was driving fast, trying to catch up to the one who was driving even faster and recklessly. There were no lights. No sirens. Just an intentional focus and purposeful driving to catch the one who was breaking the law. He wasn’t making a ‘big deal’ of his pursuit so that others were aware. But he saw, he knew, and he was taking action. His goal wasn’t to catch and punish but to stop the behavior that was putting people at risk. Yes, there would be consequences, but the goal was safety and rescue.
I had to take my exit and continue on a different highway and didn’t see the outcome, but I’m pretty certain that the individual who was speeding found himself getting a hefty ticket and a stern talking to about his driving. He had to give account for his choices that were seen and called out by the police. God struck me with the spiritual significance of what I just witnessed. That police officer was like the Holy Spirit going after someone who is running from the Lord. He saw the individual’s choice to sin. He went after them to bring them to account, but also to keep them safe from the danger they were pursuing. He did it quietly and with intention. He had the authority to do so. And hopefully, there was a lesson learned in the process. Yet, few people around really noticed the officer working. He didn’t announce it for all to see. He stayed focused on the one who needed his intervention, even though that individual did not want the attention.
Sometimes our sons and daughters are going their own way, they’re running from the Lord, choosing to sin, indifferent to those around them, or just too focused on their own desires to see how their choices are putting their spiritual safety at risk. They don’t see the heartache they’re causing. But the Holy Spirit is there, He sees, and He’s following them, intent on reaching them to stop them from their destructive ways. He doesn’t come with ‘lights and sirens’; He often comes unexpectedly. But, He sees. He knows. And He is following them. We may not see Him working, but we need to trust that He is. We may be frustrated, “Lord, why don’t you act?!” But He is moving with purpose and intention to accomplish His will in that individual’s life.
The Holy Spirit is working, even when we cannot see it. We may get frustrated, “Lord, why don’t you act?” When, in fact, He is working. But our limited vision doesn’t see His hand. This is what faith is about…trusting in the unseen and resting in the omnipotent power of the Lord of lords. We don’t have the power and authority to intervene just as I didn’t have the power or authority to pull over that speeding driver. I had to trust that law enforcement would do their job. The officer was watching even when I didn’t see him working- it was comforting and a sobering reminder.
God is eternal. We know that, but sometimes we lose sight of what that means. He knows everything. He sees the direction we will go before we even take a step. He’s watching our choices, our thoughts, and our intentions. When we are caught in our sin, we’re often oblivious to the Holy Spirit until He’s right there, upon us, revealing our sin and stirring our conscience, and leading us to repentance. God sees your beloved son or daughter. He knows where they are and what they’re doing. Psalm 139:2-4 tells us,
“You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you, LORD, know it completely.”
There is nothing that escapes God’s attention. He is not slow to act. He is not insufficient in His responses. The difficult part for us is waiting and trusting. We want to see a resolution now. We want assurance that our sons and daughters will walk with the Lord. We want relief from the worry and pain. But we need to trust Him that He will intervene and He will work in His time and according to His will.
We need to choose to parent with purpose and intention. When our sons and daughters are going their own way, will we allow that to send us into a frenzy of worry and grief or will we move forward with quiet trust in the Lord? Will we carry our burdens of pain, sorrow, and worry or will we lay them on the altar for God to manage?
When we pray, we are stepping into the supernatural realm with the power of God in us. We are communing with the Great I Am, the King of Kings and Lord of lords, the God of gods. We have access to the Throne room of the One to whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess His Lordship. Why would we allow ourselves to wring our hands and worry our hearts? We have the power of the Almighty on our side.
Whether your son or daughter is walking with the Lord or not, they need prayer. Time is short and Satan knows it. This generation is his target - if he can capture their heart, and their mind, he will be one step closer to his goal of destroying mankind- the image bearers of the Most High God.
Let’s pray with purpose. Let’s pray with intention. Let’s pray a portion of Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-3 and 10:
Holy Father, Lord of lords, I want to pray like Hannah who said, “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high.” Oh, Lord, You are the One who exalts and who brings down. I pray today that You would work in (name)’s heart today. Get their attention, bring them to repentance. Hannah also said, “My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.” You are the only One who can bring deliverance. Why would I trust in any other? Lord, take my worry, take my grief, soften my heart to be surrendered to Your will and Your timeline. Hannah understood Your authority and praised you saying, “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” Help me to praise you, too, and to rest in Your power and authority. Keep me from speaking words that do not honor You or voicing my frustration that things are not yet resolved. “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.” I pray that (name) would understand that You know and You will weigh their choices, their thoughts, their desires. Give them a heart that longs after You. I know that You see. I know that You are acting, even if I cannot see it yet. I trust You Lord, help me to rest in that trust. You are my hope and salvation. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If not, who are you trusting in for your eternal salvation? The Bible says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:2
It’s not about being “good” or doing good works to achieve righteousness because nothing we can do would ever be enough to justify ourselves before a righteous God. “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” Isaiah 64:6
But God loves us so much that He made a way. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:16-18
So, how do we believe? How do we receive so great a salvation that when God looks on us, He sees Jesus, perfect, holy, and righteous? Romans 10:9-11 says, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As scripture says, “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” Romans 10:9-11
“God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.” Romans 2:4 Will you embrace God’s kindness today? Will you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead? Any other religion asks you to give your all for their god, but Jesus gave His all for us so that we could be reconciled to Him.
If you want to surrender your life to Christ today, pray this prayer, “Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I am lost and separated from You because of my sin- my wrong thoughts, actions, and desires- I confess that. But I believe You died for me, You paid for my sin so that I could stand before You forgiven, justified, and redeemed. I ask that You would be my Lord and Savior. Forgive me. Cleanse me. Make me Your child. I believe that God the Father raised You, Jesus, from the dead so that death and hell have no power over me. I know that one day I will stand in heaven with You as Your child, redeemed, loved, and chosen. Thank you for new life, for Jesus, and for Your mighty forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
If you prayed that prayer, would you let me know so I can be praying for you? You now have so many brothers and sisters in Christ who intercede for you and your spiritual growth and protection! Welcome to the Family of God!
If you’re praying for a prodigal, consider this powerful resource, 40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal. This book walks the reader through 40 days of intentional prayer for the heart of the one who is running from God. It includes a focus on God and His attributes, then an honest explanation of the sin and sorrow that pulls the prodigal away from God. Prayer is scripture-based and journal prompts allow the reader to thoughtfully record what they are praying and learning throughout the 40 day journey. Order your copy on Amazon today!
Desiring Good that God Gives
“Do good to your servant according to your word, Lord. Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.” Psalm 119:65-66
How do we determine what is ‘good’? What is the standard for deciding that? You see, there is ‘good’ according to the world and then there’s ‘good’ according to the Word. One is temporary, the other lastingly eternal. One is visible by the eyes; the other may only be perceptible by the heart and mind.
Knowledge according to the world is being ‘smart’, gaining learning, pursuing degrees and experience that will propel you forward to success. But Godly knowledge is knowledge of Him that is not just stored up in the mind, but in the heart. It’s knowledge that will propel someone forward in a walk with the Lord and toward an eternal reward, living side by side with Him. Godly knowledge is gained by a hunger of the spirit, seeking to know more of Christ, eagerly seeking to spend time in His word and committing it to mind and heart. It’s knowledge that puts everything else into perspective and that protects from everything that would lead to falling away from the Lord.
I remember trying to get my toddler to eat something and would repeatedly tell them, “It’s good! Just try it!” and they would turn their nose up, tightly close their lips and refuse. Until they tasted, they didn’t believe. Oh how that is such a picture of our spiritual heart! Until we taste the goodness of God, we don’t believe it will be sweet and pleasing. We balk at the suggestion that God is good. We resist the appeal. And then…oh, then, we take a taste and, “OH!”, it’s more than we imagined!
I want my family to desire the good that is from the Lord. I want them to taste and see that it is good! I want them to crave the knowledge He instills that would protect them from the enemy, give them discernment in this dark world, and would guard their heart and mind in Jesus. Let’s pray that for our sons and daughters and for us, as parents, too.
"Father, I pray that today you would do good to (name). Your word says that ‘good’ is pleasant to the senses, that which is excellent, valuable, appropriate and better. Please be gracious and bless my son/daughter in each of those ways and extend your goodness to them.”
“Help them recognize that the good they enjoy is a blessing from you. Lord, let them understand that Your good also includes gaining knowledge of you. Help them to seek it with all their heart. I ask that you would help (name) be teachable. Soften their heart, tune their ears to your words, help them discern what is right, true, and worthy and let them pursue it diligently.”
“May (name) throw him/herself on you, resting in your strength, trusting your wisdom and leading, and being confident of your protection. May the knowledge they gain today be godly and may their judgment reflect that. Guard and guide them today. May others see Your goodness in their life and long for a relationship with You as well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Full Surrender
“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.””
Genesis 22:1-2
The story of Abraham and Isaac is a powerful one. If we grew up going to church and learning the Bible, we likely were introduced to the story as children: Abraham offering his son Isaac on the altar as God commanded. It may have seemed odd and even cold. But, as children, I doubt many of us understood the deep sacrifice God was asking Abraham to give.
But when we become parents, that story takes on a whole new meaning. Could we even imagine God asking us to sacrifice the life of one of our children as a burnt offering - a sacrifice to Him?! We would be ready to lay down our life for them in a heartbeat, but to take their life as an offering to God? It asks too much…. Or does it?
We hold our relationships with our children very closely, as we should. They are precious and valuable to us. We cherish them. We invest in them. We hold them so dear. But, friends, sometimes our parenting becomes an idol. Sometimes we idolize something that God gifted us and asks us to steward, not worship. We fret and angst. We speak into their choices and relationships. We lose sleep, shed tears, and pray fervently. Yet we hold on so tightly that it may be a struggle to see God in the midst or be willing to allow Him to have His way. We want to protect, to engineer, to bring resolutions to the problems in our own power and wisdom. It’s not godly.
We need to be willing to lay it on the altar. That does not mean we disconnect from our sons and daughters, not at all. Abraham was present and speaking in Isaac’s life right up to the point that he raised the knife. He was parenting, but in submission to God. And Isaac trusted Abraham enough to surrender to what God was asking him to do. That is full surrender and it’s beautiful.
Abraham valued his relationship with God most of all. His trust of God and his obedience to God surpassed his need to cling to and protect Isaac. He was not willing to sacrifice his relationship with God for his son. He trusted that God could do more than he humanly could imagine. That is powerful and that’s the example we need to follow.
Here is a question to ponder: are we possibly holding those relationships dearer than our relationship with the Lord? Are we resisting what God is asking of us in order to preserve what we deem more valuable with our sons and daughters? Are we unwilling to lay them on the altar and allow God to have His way?
Perhaps we are like the parent who takes their child to the Emergency Room because they need skilled care, only to tell the doctor we know what’s best, directing his responses. And instead of trusting his wisdom, skill, and discernment, we stand in the way of his effectiveness. When we bring our children to the Great Physician, we need to trust His skill and care, not direct His responses according to our human wisdom. Lay it all on the altar.
As we step into this new year, it is a perfect time to practice full surrender of all God has given us and blessed us with. Oh, friends, I don’t have this all worked out either. It’s a daily choice to surrender to my Lord and Savior, asking Him to resolve those things that grieve me, the choices my children make that concern me for their future. It’s surrendering the worry over the ‘red flags’ that I see in their lives and relationships. It’s humbly recognizing my place, and my ability and power (or lack thereof) in light of God’s sovereign authority and power to effect change in their lives. He is God, I am not. He is wise, I have limited understanding. He is able, where I will falter and fail. Isn’t it best to trust Him and obey?
Take a few moments and pray. Envision yourself lifting those things that you hold dear and laying them on the altar to give back to God, don’t take them back down again. Place those things you worry over, the choices and relationships your son or daughter is pursuing, on the altar as a sacrifice to God- may He have the glory. You cannot change it, but God can. If we are willing to give it all over to Him and trust Him with the process, we will gain so much freedom and peace.
Our sons and daughters belong to God; they are a gift from Him to us to steward, to raise, to nurture in the knowledge of God. It’s only right and fitting that we give them back to Him so He can have full sway over their lives. Oh, friends, we’re not losing them by giving them to God, we’re opening the channel for Him to work more freely and to use us more effectively.
Maybe a new habit this year is praying a prayer of surrender every morning, laying all of the worries and cares, all of the precious things He’s given you, back onto the altar for Him to use, to bless, to be glorified by in our surrender.
Abraham trusted God more than he trusted his ability to engineer the situation. His trust became a hallmark of his life and it was an incredible example of following God to his son, Issac, and to us. Read Genesis 22:9-18
9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.””
Is there anything you’re withholding from God today? Take inventory of your life, your relationships, what you value most and hold dear. Choose to give it all to the Lord so that He can have His way. We cannot protect our sons and daughters from what the Lord wills, but we can be an instrument of blessing, wisdom, discernment, and love if we choose to trust God and allow Him to have full control.
Our sons and daughters can learn much from us if we are willing to allow God to have His way, completely. What blessings await because we obey?
“During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” Hebrews 5:7
Take some time today to write out a prayer. Date it. Then revisit it through the week, the month, and this year, noting how God is working in their life and in yours. Pray that prayer of surrender every morning, laying all of the worries and cares and all of the precious things He’s given you onto the altar--Full Surrender.
Pray without ceasing.
May He be Glorified.
Are you praying for a prodigal? Don’t lose heart. God sees and He hears. Keep laying your burdens in prayer at the feet of Jesus. Trust Him, He is working. You may not see it, but He works in dimensions that are beyond our comprehension. Pray for those friends and associates that interact with your beloved prodigal, that God would use them to bring them to full surrender to Jesus as Lord.
40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal is a powerful book for anyone deeply in prayer for the heart of their loved one. The book addresses the battle for the heart, mind, and soul of the prodigal through praying Scripture boldly and consistently with faith that God will bring repentance and restoration. Pray the words of Scripture in powerful and effective ways to plead with God about the condition and situation of your beloved prodigal and watch God work!
Grab your copy today!
Available on Amazon
Praying for Godly Relationships
When I was growing up, my parents used to tell me and my sisters two gems of wisdom as we approached dating. The first was, every date is a potential mate. The second was a hard and fast rule…no ‘missionary dating’. My parents knew that it was important to be intentional about the relationships we cultivated, not only friendships, but those dating relationships that could lead to marriage.
We were brought up to guard our heart, to use wisdom and spiritual discernment to make wise decisions about into whom we would choose to invest our time, our efforts, and our hearts. is that young man a man after God’s own heart? Is he fully committed to following Jesus or does he just know the right words to say? Scripture tells us that marriage should be between believers, no ‘unequal yokes’.
What does that even mean? An unequal yoke? Think back to pre-industrial revolution farming- the days when farmers would use horses or oxen to pull their plows. It was important that the two animals be equal in size and strength, otherwise they wouldn’t work together. If you paired a Clydesdale and a Shetland, you would have disaster on so many levels. Nothing would be plowed, the farmer would be exhausted trying to wrangle two animals that could not, would not work together and, ultimately, people would go hungry because nothing would be planted or harvested. But if you put two Clydesdales together, man-o-man would you be getting things done! They pull together well, their temperaments are suited to the hard work, and they take joy in doing what they’re created to do.
God used the same analogy in 2 Corinthians 6:14 “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” When we step into dating or marriage relationships with others who do not have a personal relationship with God, it never goes well. Believers have the foundation of Jesus Christ, they rely on the Truth of Scripture, they are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Someone who is not a believer is coming from a totally different perspective, value-system, and attitude of worship. What do they worship? If not Jesus, it is self-worship and idolatry. How then, can a marriage relationship work well? It cannot be God-honoring if one of the partners doesn’t choose to honor God with their life, their choices, their worship.
As parents, we need to pray for our sons and daughters, that they would wisely choose a husband or wife that is a growing believer, surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We need to pray that our sons know the qualities of a noble woman and they use spiritual discernment to pursue someone who exhibits those qualities. It’s not enough that they ‘know’ Jesus.. Even the demons know Jesus. No, that potential mate needs to be in a committed relationship with Jesus Christ so that He is the One for whom they live and from whom they seek wisdom and guidance. Jesus needs to be preeminent in their life. And that other person should be seeking someone who lives and believes the same…if our son or daughter isn’t living that way, it’s unlikely they will find a spouse who is.
“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.”
Proverbs 31:20
As believing parents, we must pray that our sons find an excellent wife, not just a pretty face. That word ‘excellent’ is the Hebrew word “hayil” and it means virtue, uprightness, and integrity (1). Proverbs 31 is a whole chapter dedicated to the description of such a woman. But take a look at the Book of Ruth. It is the account of a woman who lived out ‘hayil’ in so many ways. Both her future husband, Boaz and the entire village of Bethlehem noted her character and godly attitudes, using that same word to describe her (Ruth 3;11, Ruth 4:11).
Who will be a Godly wife to our sons? Let it be a woman of integrity, clothed in strength and dignity, one who opens her mouth with wisdom and kindness is on her tongue. Pray that the woman our son chooses is a woman who fears the Lord. (Proverbs 31:25-26,30)
We should pray, too, for our daughters, that they seek a man after God’s own heart.
When God chose a King for Israel, He instructed Samuel to anoint David, the youngest son of Jesse, the shepherd boy. Samuel looked at all of Jesse’s sons, the older, stronger, more valiant, more ‘worthy’, yet it was the shepherd that God chose.
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.””
1 Samuel 16:7
Who will shepherd our daughter’s heart? Let it be a man after God’s own heart. Pray that the man our daughter marries is one who would love her like Christ loves the church- sacrificially, selflessly, protectively and in a way that honors God above all (Ephesians 5:25).
Despite the fact that they’re adults, we can still shepherd our sons and daughters through prayer and as they navigate relationships, they need our prayers more than ever! It’s important that we ask the Lord to give our sons and daughters the spiritual discernment to look on the heart of another and recognize whether that person truly loves Jesus or if they only pretend for the sake of the relationship. Authenticity and a heart of worship towards Jesus cannot be feigned. There will be fruit, is it fresh or is it rotten? Pray that they can set aside their own desires, look beyond their own agenda, and pray for God’s will and direction.
Let’s activate some purposeful, diligent prayer, asking God to bring the spouse of His choosing to our sons and daughters with whom they would be better together. Pray for a marriage in which they would spur one another on to serve God and bring Him glory. Marriage is a covenant, not meant to be broken, and designed to reflect Christ and the church. Intentional prayer, asking God to design and effect this for our sons and daughters is a responsibility and privilege of believing parents. Let us pursue that prayer today!
“Oh, Heavenly Father, You are a good Father. You love us and gave your Son so that we might have life, and not just life, but abundant, eternal, joyful life in Your Presence! Lord, I know You desire that every marriage relationship would be a reflection of Christ and the church- a covenant that cannot be broken and is marked by sacrifice for the other. You desire to see a love that is demonstrated in patience, kindness, and humility, and genuine care for the other person, with attitudes of graciousness like Christ. Lord, I pray for (name) right now that You would lead them to a God-honoring relationship and marriage with the one You choose for them, in Your time. Help (name) not to be anxious or impatient but to trust You and Your timing. Help them to wait with hope that You are working everything for their good and Your glory. I pray for (name)’s future spouse. Grow them into the (man/woman) of God that You desire them to be. Bring other believers alongside them to disciple them, mentor them, encourage them and provide accountability for them. Lord, I pray that my son would be a man after Your own heart. I pray that my daughter would be a woman of excellent character, noble and worthy, fearing the Lord. Let their walk with Jesus be evident to others so that those attracted to them, would be attracted to their heart for the Lord. I pray Your hand of protection over them. Keep them from being distracted by charm- it’s deceitful. Keep them from being lured by beauty that is only skin deep. I pray that my son/daughter would be so committed to and in love with Jesus that they would have keen discernment to choose a spouse who believes the same and has a heart for God. Lord, I know that You are orchestrating their life, help them to be surrendered to Your leadership and Your timing. I pray that when they do marry, it would be a God-honoring event and relationship that would reflect Christ and the church in significant ways. Lord, use each of us to bring glory to Your name, in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
H2428 - ḥayil - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (esv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h2428/esv/wlc/0-1/
Are you praying for a prodigal? Don’t lose heart. God sees and He hears. Keep laying your burdens in prayer at the feet of Jesus. Trust Him, He is working. You may not see it, but He works in dimensions that are beyond our comprehension. Pray for those friends and associates that interact with your beloved prodigal, that God would use them to bring them to full surrender to Jesus as Lord.
40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal is a powerful book for anyone deeply in prayer for the heart of their loved one. The book addresses the battle for the heart, mind, and soul of the prodigal through praying Scripture boldly and consistently with faith that God will bring repentance and restoration. Pray the words of Scripture in powerful and effective ways to plead with God about the condition and situation of your beloved prodigal and watch God work!
Grab your copy today!
Available on Amazon
Have you read 40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal? Consider leaving a review! There are so many who could benefit from this resource, let them know! God is moving and working!
Parenting is Hard, Prayer is Vital
There, I said it. It’s hard. Social media would have you believe it’s all glorious and perfect…with just little hiccups between joyful photo shoots. Nope. It’s hard. It can be painful…and ugly. But parenting is also sacred and worshipful. The Bible shows us from the start that God is our Father and He works to build into us in ways that make us more like Him. Parenting gives us that opportunity to model God’s character and selfless love. It’s not easy, but it’s beautiful and it’s valuable.
As parents, we sometimes make the mistake of thinking that if we can just get through ‘this’ stage, it will be easier. But ask any seasoned parent and they will tell you, with each new stage come new challenges and yes, new joys, too. “I can’t wait until…” is often the mantra of the battle-weary parent, the one who is overwhelmed with sleepless nights, laundry, and diapers. Then, the toddler years arrive and the child seems to have 1000 hands, boundless energy, and insatiable curiosity. I can’t wait until…. School, all the activities, sports, then driving, and dating, and before you know it, they’re off to college and then working, married, and with their own children. How did it go so fast? "I can’t wait until they’re grown and I don’t have to worry any more.” Ah, that is a faulty expectation. When you love someone, you will always carry concern for them, whether they’re 2 or 32. Each new stage of parenting brings new and often more complex prayers.
Our parenting doesn’t end when our sons and daughters become adults. But our prayers change. They move from “Lord, please let them sleep… to Lord, please wake them up, spiritually.” The early years are filled with prayers for their physical growth and safety, along with their spiritual formation. But as they grow and age, our prayer becomes even deeper because, as a parent, we no longer have the daily influence or the ability to steer them away from negative influences and dark places. Our prayers take on a deeply spiritual direction, not that they were not before, but there becomes a greater urgency and a deeper understanding of eternity and their place in it. The physical needs, although still present, are secondary to their eternal state. We feel the heaviness of their spiritual condition and direction, we battle on our knees for protection from spiritual attack, and we plead with the Lord for His intervention…and for their recognition of it.
Parenting doesn’t get ‘easier’ it just shifts to another level of support, concern, and intervention- most of it spiritual. Are you prepared for that?
Some may say, “I don’t know how to pray that way.” Oh friends, prayer isn’t just for the ‘learned’ or those who have a long faith history. Prayer is a practice, a spiritual discipline. You just do it. You start where you are and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. You have a complete handbook to use- the Bible. A great way to begin is by praying scripture over your sons and daughters; God’s word never returns void. It is guaranteed to bear fruit.
Remember, God works outside of time and space. He sees the end from the beginning. He’s weaving people, events, places, and resources together in ways we cannot begin to comprehend all to bring about that which He wills. When we pray, we not only need to lift up our sons and daughters, but we need to pray for our own heart, that we would be surrendered to what God wants and that He would align our desires with His will. Be cautious. Too often we pray with an answer or conclusion in mind. Let God lead.
Today, let’s do just that. Let’s pray Philippians 1:9-11. It’s straightforward and powerful. Write it down and carry it with you this week and pray for your sons and daughters that God would do a work in their lives, reflective of the passage.
“And this is my prayer: that (name)’s love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that (name) may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Reflections on Psalm 138: Our Calls Don’t Go Unanswered
“When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.” Psalm 138:3
Does God really hear us when we call? If you’ve been crying out, with little to no response, it may feel like your cries are unheard.
But remember when our children were infants? We heard their cry and quickly moved to meet their needs. But sometimes that meant doing something elsewhere before we came to their side because we were preparing to meet their needs in the best possible way. Maybe we sprinted to the kitchen to grab a bottle or stopped by the laundry room to grab a fresh sleeper and blanket. Regardless, we knew there was a need and we were working to meet it. Yet to our crying baby, it seemed like their cries were unheard. They didn’t see us working.
How many times have you cried out to God and your cries are met with silence…or so you thought?
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. Ps 34:17
The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. Prov 15:29
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. Ps 40:1
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. PS 116:1
God is faithful to hear us when we call and he’s always working according to His plan.
He’s not indifferent and He doesn’t ignore us until we cry harder, louder, or get more desperate. That’s not Who He is. That’s not how He works.
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9
God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. I Cor 1:9
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deut 32:4
God is a good Father.
He moves to meet our needs. Sometimes that involves other people, in other places, at various times and seasons, in ways we don’t see or perceive. Yet God is always working; nothing will thwart His will. No obstacle will stand in His way. We need to trust Him- what is our alternative? To whom else can we turn? There is no other name and there is no other Power that can intervene in divine and perfect ways.
The challenge for us is the waiting. We don’t like to wait. We live in an instant society where we get immediate results. There’s no more waiting weeks for a reply by mail when we can simply text or email and get a reply within minutes..or even seconds. We get drive-through coffee, drive through lunch, and we can even get drive-through church. So, we tend to think that God works the same way because He is able, right? And why wouldn’t He want to meet a need, fix a problem or redeem a disaster as quickly as possible? Why wouldn’t He deliver immediate results, instant relief, and on-demand solutions? Yet, in the waiting, we learn more about Him. Sometimes God slows us down so we can listen and watch and in so doing, learn more about Who He is and how He works, we begin to treasure His attributes- His Sovereignty, His Immutability, His Omnipotence, His Omnipresence.
The theology of sourdough…
When we make sourdough (it’s a thing, I know… I have yet to dive into the process, but it’s fascinating), it all begins with the starter. And that starter is fed over days…weeks, until it’s ready to use. During that process we watch, we look for signs that there is fermentation and growth, we check the sources that tell us what a mature starter looks like, smells like, and what signs show that it’s ready. Then, a bit of the mature starter is mixed with the other ingredients to begin the breadmaking process. But even then, it’s still not ready. The dough that’s been mixed needs to proof and rise. But all the while, from the time we make our starter until the time we pull that first loaf, warm and golden, from the oven, we know the result will be good, delicious, homemade bread that will satisfy our hunger. We are willing to endure the process because the results will be satisfying and fulfilling. Oh, friends, do you see the spiritual correlation?
Isn’t that so much like taking things to God in prayer? We can be confident that He WILL answer and that it will be perfect, according to His will. And when we call on Him? He will make us bold and stouthearted. Note that the writer of the Psalm didn’t say God answered His prayer, no, he said that in calling on Him, God made him bold- to embolden, make sure, strengthen (1) and stouthearted-strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise):—boldness, loud, might, power, (2). God encouraged his heart because the author called on Him. God answered by strengthening His child, not by solving the problem.
Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. Ps 55:17
The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. Ps 6:9
Why, then, would we rush the God of the Universe and be angry toward Him for working all things according to His will and His timeline, which are perfect and sufficient? Would we have Him rush for our sake? Would we have Him speed the process and lose the depth and beauty of the result? Would we have Him skip over what might be the most meaningful lesson or impact of the situation just to deliver the solution or relief? Do we love God because He delivers or because of Who He is and who He’s made us to be- His children?
We can and should cry out for God’s help daily. We should bring our burdens to Him, fully turning them over to His care and sovereignty. What would we do with our burdens if we kept them to ourselves? We would carry the weight of them, worry over them, try and fix them, but all without success. We must unburden our hearts and minds at the feet of the Savior, first asking for forgiveness of our own sins and then asking for His answer to all that burdens us. Then, we need to trust His process. Let it rise. Let it work. Look forward to the wholesome, nourishing result that will come in God’s perfect time.
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; PS 66:18
Today, take time to pray to the Lord and surrender your burdens to Him. Then, pray about your sons and daughters and the burdens they carry. But first, root out the sin in your own heart. Make sure that you are right before the Lord. Don’t look at the splinter in the eye of someone else. Deal with the lumber yard in your own heart. Give all of your cares, offenses, arguments, woes, and worries to the Lord. And then, cry out to Him and wait in expectation. He’s listening and He WILL respond. Wait with expectation and hope. He never disappoints!
Today, write out a prayer to the Lord, calling on Him with trust and expectation, reminding yourself that His solutions are always sufficient and on time.
Pray without ceasing.
H7292 - rāhaḇ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h7292/niv/wlc/0-1/
H5797 - ʿōz - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5797/niv/wlc/0-1/
Direction or Distraction: Practicing Discernment
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11
New opportunities can be exciting! They can mean new locations, experiences, and relationships. The possibilities seem endless and the world is wide open. This could be what we’ve been waiting for…or not. But not every opportunity is one we should take. How do we discern what is the right choice? How do we guide our sons and daughters in the process?
Remember when our kids would come running in, breathless and excited, words tumbling over one another in an effort to tell their news, the exciting opportunity, the new discovery or adventure they just learned of? Maybe it was a ‘business idea’ (my daughter’s lemonade stand, in the middle of January, snow on the street and not a soul in sight) or the chance to go to camp (no, honey, you’re only in first grade, you have to wait a few years). But as our sons and daughters grew and matured, the opportunities also matured and grew, “Mom, I have to tell you about this guy…” “Dad, I’ve been considering signing with the Army…”. “Oh, we wanted to tell you guys, we’re moving….to another state.”
Throughout their lives, our sons and daughters will be presented with opportunities, or relationships, or even goals that would help direct and shape them. But just because it’s presented to them doesn’t mean it’s of God. That’s where discernment comes into play. The first question to ask is whether this is direction or distraction. Is God leading or is the enemy trying to derail us? Just because something is ‘good’ does not mean that God wants us to follow it or embrace it.
Discernment is something God asks us to practice. It helps us understand God’s will, His prompting and leading, and gives us clear direction to go and do or stay and wait. But it’s not something we just ‘grow into’ naturally. Discernment is provided by the Holy Spirit through our fellowship with Him and through our growth in our walk with the Lord. The Holy Spirit will provide clear spiritual discernment, but we need to be listening and willing to respond to His voice and His leading.
Paul says in Philippians 1:9-11 “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”
Discernment is a product of our love for God that is demonstrated in our pursuit of knowledge of Him and depth of insight into Scripture. The Apostle Paul isn’t just talking about the act of knowing information but the knowledge discussed in Philippians 1:9 is the Greek word ‘epignosis’ which means “precise and correct knowledge”. It is the word used for “things ethical and divine.” (1)
We don’t just pursue knowledge, for the sake of accumulating ‘facts’ and information, but we pursue a relationship with God. Knowing the Lord more deeply, understanding His character, pursuing His heart will enable us to understand His love for us and empower us to imitate Jesus Christ and reflect Him correctly (Philippians 2:5-11).
In addition to proper knowledge, Paul also mentions ‘depth of insight’ or good judgment in verse 9. The Greek word here is aisthesis and it means “perception or discernment.” (2 ) The growth in our knowledge of God brings discernment and that discernment is the ability to “test, examine, prove, scrutinize to see whether a thing is genuine or not.” (3) Isn’t that what we pray our sons and daughters would do when presented with an opportunity or decision? We want them to examine it carefully, not based on ‘feeling’ but on knowledge and insight of what and where God would lead.
It’s all connected. Precise and correct knowledge leads to effective discernment and, in turn, that discernment ensures effective decision making- the ability to know whether an opportunity is a direction or a distraction.
As parents, we must tread carefully as we listen and advise. We don’t have the liberty to tell our adult children what they can and cannot do- they are adults and regardless of how much we want to just say “No!” Or “Wait!” We need to practice discernment as well. If we are too vocal, we risk them backing away or perhaps withholding information to prevent our opinions and interference from swaying them or from guilting them into a decision. We don’t want their decision-making to be based on pleasing us, we want them to discern clearly and decide wisely based on God’s will for their lives. Colossians 1:9 is an excellent verse to pray over our sons and daughters as they make decisions and discern whether an opportunity is direction or distraction.
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,”
Then, we can encourage them with these two steps:
When we are presented with opportunities that seem amazing, we need to pause and pray. Is this of God? How can I tell? How would this create opportunities to use my gifts and talents in ways that bring Him glory? Is there any ‘caution’ that I see in moving forward?
Proverbs 19:2 “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.”
2. Next, we should seek wise counsel. Share with spiritual mentors what we believe God is leading us to and to get their insight into whether we are being wise or whether we are only seeing what we want or hope to see.
Proverbs 15:22 “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
Ask if they’ve spoken to their pastor or a spiritual mentor. Pray with them. Pray for them. Ask the Lord to clearly show whether the opportunity is a direction or a distraction. And understand that our son or daughter may need to hear from someone besides us. Pray for that person. There is mighty power in prayer. It’s not the least you can do, it’s the best you can do.
As parents, we need to have honest conversations with the Lord. Ask Him to put up barriers if the opportunity is a distraction. Ask Him to reveal those things that are of concern and are not of Him. Pray that He makes it evident for all to see, especially our son or daughter. But if this is God’s direction, ask Him to affirm it. Pray that He would make it clear this is the path to follow. And pray that He helps our heart embrace His leading too, because sometimes He asks our sons and daughters to go places and do things that are far away and hard. Sometimes He leads them to decisions that are not our favored outcome. Take heart, obeying God is always better, even if the direction is not what we would have chosen.
Discernment doesn’t mean inaction. It doesn’t mean resistance. It means active pursuit of God’s will, understanding His heart, His leading, and His direction. The more you spend time with Him, the better you understand and hear His voice.
Let’s pray for discernment for our sons and daughters so they can clearly see His direction and avoid the distractions that would pull them away from following Him.
“Father, You are a good Father. You love and care for us in ways we often can’t see or fully understand. You are working all things for our good and Your glory. I pray for (name) today. As they face decisions and make choices on so many things: relationships, direction for their career or life, locations to live, work, and worship, I pray that You would give them discernment. Grow them in their knowledge of You. Give them depth of understanding of Scripture. Help them to bear fruit that would give evidence of a strong relationship with You. All of these are necessary for Godly discernment. Lord, make them pause if they are leaning on emotions or ‘feelings’. Affirm when they are moving in the right direction. I pray that You would bring other believers around them to speak truth into them, encourage them, and yes, also caution them about potential dangers or missteps that would take them away from You. Lord, if (name) does not have a personal relationship with You, I pray that even today Your Holy Spirit would bring conviction and a hunger and thirst for righteousness. Stir in their heart a desire to set aside every idol and to make You Lord of their life. Grow them in wisdom and knowledge so that their discernment would reflect that which glorifies Christ, not themselves. Give them a desire to serve You and to please You. Help me to parent well in this season of adulthood. Help me not be selfish or controlling but to trust You and Your leading. Your ways are better than mine. Give me peace as I pray for (name). In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing
G1922 - epignōsis - Strong's Greek Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1922/kjv/tr/0-1/
G144 - aisthēsis - Strong's Greek Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g144/kjv/tr/0-1/
G1381 - dokimazō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1381/niv/mgnt/0-1/
Are you praying for a prodigal or know someone who is? Consider this new resource, 40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal, a powerful book for anyone deeply in prayer for the heart of their loved one.
40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal addresses the battle for the heart, mind, and soul of the prodigal through praying Scripture boldly and consistently with faith that God will bring repentance and restoration.
The reader will prepare their heart with their own surrender to God and then they will speak the words of Scripture back to God in effective and powerful ways, praying specifically over the condition and situation of their beloved prodigal. Transformation can begin in the life of the prodigal and in the reader’s own heart as well.
Grab your copy today! Read and share!
Available on Amazon
God is Faithful to Restore Us and Lead Us
“He refreshes [restores] my soul.” Psalm 23:3
(spiritual renewal)
Restoration is hard work. It is the effort to bring something back to its original condition when time, decay, and circumstances affect its beauty, its purpose, and its value. Any shadow of what it once was or was intended to be has long since faded. The beauty is covered in dirt, mold, and decay, the edges are rough, once-strong supports are rotted, the luster is dulled. But an expert still sees the value and knows what it could be, if restored. Restoration requires someone who is skilled and has vision and an understanding of what something once was or was intended to be in order to restore it to its original state.
Jesus is our Restorer. He created us, so He knows us intimately and He knows exactly who and what He intended us to be. He is able to revive, refresh, and restore our spiritual selves to the “shalom” He intended us to enjoy in the garden, where everything was in a right relationship to Him. Isaiah 60:1 says about Jesus, “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,”
We can pray Psalm 51:2, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Jesus is able; He can do it!
“Jesus, You are the Restorer of all things. You promise that You will restore us and make us new. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” I pray that You would begin a work of restoration and reconciliation in (name) today.”
“Lord, strip away the rotten things that would cause decay in (name)’s life. Replace the battered and worn parts with new. Refresh their outlook and restore their heart to be aligned with Yours. Work in them to stir a desire to be made new with a heart like Jesus. Remind them that, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24. Show them clearly that You love them and You desire that they would be brought into fellowship with You, welcomed into Your house and home for eternity. Give (name) a heart for restoration so they would not only embrace the gospel and receive a new heart but that they would share the life-giving gospel with others so they, too, could be restored. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
“He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
(direction, purpose)
When God restores us, it’s not for our benefit alone, although we do reap great benefits from the renewal of our heart, mind, and spirit. But it is for His glory that He redeems us! He gives us direction and purpose.
Ephesians 1:11-12 tells us, “In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.”
He has a plan and purpose for each of us Philippians 2:13, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.” The phrase, “For His name’s sake” indicates that we are to live in such a way that we maintain his name and reputation (1). If we fail to do that we take His name in vain- calling ourselves Christians but living like we are not. “‘You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” Deut. 5:11 (NKJV) Our actions, choices and attitudes have bearing on the name we carry.
“Holy Father, Your name is Sacred. You ARE the Great I AM. There is no other like You and Your supremacy is unequaled. I pray that You would give (name) a godly fear and respect of You. Lead (name) in paths of righteousness so that as they bear Your name, they would be righteous (not self-righteous), blameless (not deceiving others or themselves) and authentic in their faith and their convictions. Lord, give (name) perspective that every blessing is from You and for the purpose of serving You and bringing You glory. Strengthen them in their faith, their conviction, and their passion to follow You in the right paths You set before them, in Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
H4616 - maʿan - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h4616/niv/wlc/0-1/