So, our sermon Sunday was on prayer. One of the points made was are we too proud, or do we think we don't need the prayers of others. It got me thinking because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I have gotten through some valleys only because I had some prayer warriors intercessing for me when I wasn't even praying myself. Some of those unexplainables that can ONLY be chalked up to God working.
So, I feel like I have no problem asking for prayer for a big decision, a life change, medical condition, ya know...the big stuff. (I am, by no means, belittling the big stuff.) But when it comes to humbling myself to ask for prayer for something like reoccurring jealousy, a stubborn heart, the ability to love like I should, ...(the "SIMPLE" stuff. HA!) I don't.
These are the excuses the enemy feeds me.
*that's silly
*no one cares
*you should be able to take care of that yourself
*there are so many people with bigger stuff going than you
*I could make this list go on and on and on.
Why am I not opening myself up to inject the spirit of God into every aspect of my life?! Why on earth would I not want more than me, who cannot seem to overcome these things on my own, giving these needs to the Father, who is waiting and listening and filled with joy to hear our requests!?!
I can honestly say that it is not the "BIG" things that are holding me back from kingdom work, it's the "little" reoccurring ones.
So I am not proposing that I tell every person I meet everything about me in order to pray for me. What about a few close friends that we can trust to hold us up in prayer? And how cool to be able to pray for a friend in that way too. I think the lessons in vulnerability will be great and it opens up a friendship to God working there too.
So this is my brains wrestling match these days....my head knows it, my heart needs to follow.
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Father, work in my heart that I can be vulnerable enough to invite you into every aspect of my life....even the ones that I THINK I should be able to have a hold of myself. I don't want to hold them myself any longer and cannot wait to see what happens when your spirit moves fresh in those places. Help me make myself vulnerable enough to ask for help from trusted friends and prayer warriors that we can watch and see only answers You could provide. Thank you for the answers you have already given!
