Tag: prayer

A Change of Season

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Mamas, the change of season is inevitable. We find ourselves shifting from hot days filled with barbecues by the beach to cool evenings spent warming ourselves by a fireplace. Although summertime may be what speaks to our soul, autumn is always around the corner. The same goes for changes in our lives. In my own life, I have noticed God tend to stir things up just as I begin to get comfortable — just as I figure things out. The changing of seasons in our lives is also inevitable, but it is how you adjust and the outlook in which you have, that make all of the difference throughout your journey.

Philippians 4:4-7says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of god, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

As I enter a season of change in my life, I am finding myself spending much more time with the Lord in prayer. I have been consistently reminding myself that He is in control and that His plans for my life are greater than anything I could imagine. Although normally at this time I would be overcome with anxiety and stress, I am now experiencing a sense of peace like I have never experienced in my life.

No matter what it is that you are facing, know that by placing your faith in Him and all your burdens on Him, you, too, can be overcome with peace in the most stressful of times. In all honesty, I am proof of that.

Phil. 4-6

Seek God
In seeking God through your most difficult or unknowing times, you ultimately are preparing your heart for His great works. Instead of holding onto anxieties, by seeking the Lord and placing your burdens on Him, you will be freeing yourselves of unnecessary fear so the you will be able to experience the power, love, and self-control given to us by the Lord. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Maybe you are new to seeking God or you aren’t quite sure how to go about trying to find Him. God speaks to us through our circumstances, our relationships, through music, through Scripture, and through prayer; you just need to search for Him. If you are having trouble finding Him in the midst of your time of chaos, take heart and remember the message from Jeremiah to the Exiles, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Relinquish control
As a mama, I will be the first to admit that I may have a control issue. (Hi, I’m Amity and I love being in control!) But that’s just the thing; I am not! God takes the burden of constantly being in control away, all the while sustaining us on our journey through the unknown. (Psalm 55:22)

Exodus 14:14 says: “The Lord will fight for you, you only need to be still.”
Be still. It’s easier said than done, am I right mommies?! But that’s exactly what the Lord wants us to do. He wants to work in us and through us while we sit back and enjoy the ride. When you learn to turn your control over to the Lord, marvelous things will happen!

Pray, pray, and pray some more
“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.  He freed me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4

Personally, it is through prayer when God speaks the most clearly. He has brought forth so many answers to lingering questions that I have had for years; He has released me from my fears and made me see that He is the one in whom I should be placing all of my trust. Prayer has brought me closer to my husband and to my children. Prayer has helped me to see that I am ultimately not the one who is in control and that I need to allow God to follow through with the amazing plans He has for me. Praying is humbling. Praying is refreshing. Mamas, above all else, pray.

Allow your walls to crumble
What could possibly be scarier than witnessing your walls of protection crumble around you? I cannot think of many things more stressful than Daniel’s situation as he was thrown into the lions’ den. Consider for a moment his faith in the Lord as he was face-to-face with a lion. (Daniel 6:16-18) How amazing! Would you be courageous? Would you have doubts in the Lord’s ability to keep you safe?

What happens next is even more incredible!

Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. I make adecree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fearbefore the God of Daniel,
for he is the living God,
enduring forever;
his kingdom shall never be destroyed,
and his dominion shall be to the end.
He delivers and rescues;
he works signs and wonders
in heaven and on earth,
he who has saved Daniel
from the power of the lions.”
So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. (Daniel 6:25-28)

This potential disastrous event was made wonderful all because of Daniel’s allowance to let his walls of protection crumble and to place all of his faith in the Lord. When you turn it all over to God, not only are you giving the Lord the opportunity to set you free (Psalm 118:5) but you are also allowing non-believers to see the way God works wonders in our lives; which draws them closer to Him.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
I discussed this passage here; it is a favorite of mine!

God may drag us through the snow only to show us the tulips of spring but if we don’t give him the opportunity to do so, we will never fully appreciate the beauty of the blossoms. When you feel uneasy about a new season on which you are about to embark, keep your eyes peacefully set on those tulip buds. May this season be your best!

Blessings,
Amity

Guiding Your Children Through Prayer; Repentance

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Acts 3:19 tells us to, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that He will forgive your sins.” 

As parents, I believe it is extraordinarly important for our children to hear and see us pray. Not only does this promote normalcy with prayer in our home, but it allows our children an opportunity to see how we handle situations. If we are grateful, where do we go first;  to worldly friends to potentially boast, or do we go to God in thanksgiving? If a problem arises, to whom do we turn; to family to ask for their opinion or do we pray to God in supplication? Our children are watching and it’s our job as Christian mamas raise our littles to know and trust in God’s unwavering love.

pray

How this all began: One day my three-year-old son decided it was a good idea to hurl a block at his seventeen-month-old sister, hitting her smack-dab in the back of head. Instead of putting him in time out — which if I’m being completely honest, I would normally would do — I took a deep breath and allowed the Lord to bring forth an opportunity to use this as a teaching moment. I knelt down next to him and softly asked him to apologize. He said sorry and gave her a hug; but this time I took it a step further and I told him he needed to pray to God for forgiveness. With a slight look of confusion, he did it. We moved on and proceeded with our day.

Fast forward to just after dinner and he, yet again, did something against his younger sister. Just as I asked him to notice how sad Rory was and after giving him the, “we need to be more considerate” speech, he closed his eyes and began to pray. “Jesus, please help me to be a better Ivo. I’m sorry I took a toy from sissy and made her cry. Amen.”

What?!

I had no idea that the simple act repentance earlier that day would have enough impact for him to remember it, nonetheless pray for forgiveness on his own. It was in this moment when I realized it was time to dig deeper in our relationship with God through prayer. Since this scenario, about four weeks ago, we have made it a point to not only repent during our nighttime prayers but to also stop what you are doing and confess your sinful behavior to Christ, as it happens. Since doing this we have seen significant improvements in his behavior.

Mamas, I am challenging you to try intentional repentance in your home with your children. After one week, I will check back and I would love to hear how this simple act of obedience improves your relationship with your child, and even more so, your child’s relationship with their Father.

Have a blessed Monday,
Amity

The Power of Persistence in Prayer

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Mamas, let’s talk about the power of persistence in prayer for just a minute.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “pray without ceasing;” and let me tell you, I have done it. I have prayed for so many things in my life and, in His time, God always comes through.
He is, after all, an unfailing God who hears our cry.

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This verse was written in my planner on March 18, 2013; nearly five years ago.

“Wives, in the same way, submit to yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the Word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.”  -1 Peter 3:1-2

Each day since this was written I have prayed for the salvation of my husband. I prayed that he may keep an open mind and a soft heart when it comes to our Lord; that God would bring and keep His spirit in my husband’s heart; that He would remove Satan’s binding influence; and that the Lord would clearly show him that all wonderful things are blessings from above. In this, I also had to pray for myself. I prayed for a soft, humble, and understanding heart toward my husband; I prayed for an opportunity to minister to him and to bring him closer to God; I prayed for patience; I prayed for understanding; and I prayed for other believers to have an influence on him.

Well, mamas, our gracious Father has came through, yet again. Last night it became clear that God has been doing His mighty work on my husband’s heart. After years and years of prayer, God is, once again, showing his unfailing love! What a wonderful blessing!

Mamas, when you begin to feel discouraged in your prayers or feel as if God is not hearing your cry; know He is. Jeremiah 29:12 says, “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” He hears you. He has a plan for you and He knows what is best for you. He loves you and He will never fail you. Patience mama; your time is coming!

Happy and blessed Monday,
Amity