Jane Hinrichs
Jane Hinrichs
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A mom wonders about prayer

2/12/2019

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I sometimes think we all are in an endless conversation with ourselves and God. Things come into our minds. They plant seeds. We forget about them. The next day we read something and what we had forgotten about comes back to mind and tweaks our perspective on what we are now thinking about. And then the next day it happens again. And on and on and on. 

Or maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I should have written that I am in an endless conversation with myself and God (and sometimes with my husband too -- I'll continue a conversation we never finished and he'll know what I'm talking about -- I guess he knows me well). When I pray for others I pray for Hawken's healing too. I pray for it with him. And he smiles. We've been praying for his healing since he was arm-sized. I'd be a liar if I said God hasn't healed. He has. He's brought a bit of healing. Hawk smiles more now at the age of 19 then he ever did 10 years ago. His eye contact is good. He can tell me when he needs changing with noises. He helps me when I dress him by pushing his legs through his jeans and lifting his arms so I can apply deodorant. These are all relatively new skills for him. And he's aware, very aware. I believe he's brilliant. So do others. You can see intelligence in his eyes.

But when I pray for his healing I am praying God heals him from all the seizures and gets him to leap and dance and sing. I pray for total healing. God knows this is what I'm asking for. And I know He can do it. For some reason He doesn't. 

Yesterday I read in John 15:16, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you."

My questions about healing came to mind. Maybe if I produce tons and tons of spiritual fruit I'll be able to ask for Hawk's healing and it will be done, I thought. I sat for several minutes trying to figure this out. Trying to figure out what I actually had to do to get this prayer answered the way I want it answered. 

Finally I read it to Shannon and asked him about it. He sat for a while. He then said, "I don't think that's how it works." And then he said he thought Jesus was referring to asking for spiritual fruit in our lives. When he said that I deflated inside because I think he's right. 

Yes, Jesus said, "that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you."

But there has to be context. He isn't going to give us whatever we ask. He isn't going to give us anything that goes against His commandments. He isn't going to give us anything that hurts us. He isn't going to give us anything that we will spend on our selfish desires. He isn't going to give us something that isn't going to glorify God. 

Earlier in the same chapter in verses 7 and 8, Jesus says, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples."

If I live in Jesus and if His words live in me. If that is true that would mean I want to do Jesus' work; live like Jesus. 

In John 17:4 Jesus says, "I glorified Thee (Father God) on the arth, having accomplished the work which Thou hast given Me to do." 

Again it gets back to glorifiying God. 

(Now God isn't an egomaniac. Glorifying Him means we praise Him and everything is put in right perspective then. He's the Father. We're meant to be His children.)

And I had to wonder, how best will Hawken glorify God?

I don't know the anwer to that. I know as his mother I wish I could see him do typical 19 year old things -- like go on a date; drive a car; have a job; pursue a dream -- be outrageously happy. I long to hear his voice, to hear him sing; to see him jump for joy. 

But I am not Hawken's creator. I don't know why God created Hawken the way He did. Why can't He walk? Why can't He talk? Why does he have endless seizures? 

I can tell you this: since he needs constant care that meant that I am with him most all the time. That's obvious. But what isn't obvious is that Hawk has taken care of me throughout his life. I deal with mental health issues, and in times when I've gotten really, really low, knowing Hawk needs me for everyting has kept me doing doing what I am called to do. He has such peace and contentment inside him. He sits with me and keeps me company. Yes, I take care of him physically, but emotionally, it's a toss up who takes care of who. 

What kind of life is it for a 19 year old to stay home with his mom all the time? I don't know. I do know he's happy. He's content. He's loved and he knows it. He has a purpose.

Sunday, during his sermon, Shannon talked about there being a world-wide poverty of love. This is so true. Think of all the people who are seeking to be loved; seeking to be accepted. Hawk's got that wholly. And again, he knows it. 

And I also realized in a way I was trying to figure out how to get God to do what I wanted Him to do. That's called manipulation. Thankfully God isn't offended by our wrong actions. I need to come to prayer just to be in conversation wtih Father God. Are we asking God for things without bothering to really spend time with Him? Prayer is about spending time with Him. Getting the things we want should come after that (or it's just like aduilt kids calling you just when they want something -- you're happy to hear them until you realize they don't have time for you. They just need something from you). 

Forgive me if I've written about all this before. Truly I don't think about it all the time. Just sometimes. Like a forgotten itch that is suddenly itchy again. 

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He can get to anyone

10/19/2018

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Imagine -- taking your biggest enemy and causing that enemy to turn and become your greatest advocate.

It can happen. 

We know the story, but we don't think about it much (when we should). Saul was the number enemy against the Followers of Jesus. He thought they needed to be locked up or killed. Acts 8:3 says, "Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison."

He even went so far as to follow them to other towns. He was in a fury. He was on a mission. He hated these Believers. 

But in an instant Jesus changed him. Jesus confronted Sault in a vision and Saul became Paul, one of the mightiest Believers ever.

Why do I remind you of this story?

Because of those people you have been praying for for a long time. Those people who need Jesus who have no desire for Him. God can change them in an instant. We don't know what is going on in their hearts. We don't know what God is saying to them. We don't know how God is speaking to them. Don't quit praying. Prayers are never useless. Prayers are never wasted. 

Sometimes it takes years, decades, lifetimes to see people come to Jesus. And you might not see that one person come to Jesus. Maybe he or she will come to Jesus after you're gone. That's okay. Even if you aren't around your prayers still are. God is still answering. God is still aware. God doesn't give up. 

Speak the word into their lives. Pray the word into their lives. 

"So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11

That is an amazing promise God has given us! Use it!
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Triggers and prayer and love

7/27/2018

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When I feel the wind I think about God. The wind comes from Him. If it is a gentle breeze I think of Father God gently touching my face telling me He loves me. 

All summer I've been hearing the mourning doves call. Yesterday I realized doves can trigger me to remember the Holy Spirit. 

"and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove" Luke 3:22a

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, "pray without ceasing;" 

We can do this by keeping God in our present, in every moment we breathe. We don't have to be talking to Him to be praying. If we remember He is there and let Him be a part of our present moments, that is prayer. Communication is more than talking and listening. It is also living alongside someone. We communicate with those around us with everything we do and don't do; with our attitudes and our thoughts. We do this same thing with God. 

People can be the trigger to think about Jesus. Jesus is 100% God, 100% human. One day we will be able to hug Jesus! One day we will be able to look straight into His eyes. When we do this with another human, we are loving Jesus. 

"to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine (Jesus), even the least of them, you did it to Me."
Matthew 25:40c

As I wrote a couple of days ago, loving God and others is our purpose (you can read that here). Remembering God, thinking of Him, thinking of others; praying, loving with everything we have, that is a very good thing. 



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Conversations with our children

3/26/2016

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My college daughter has been home for a couple of days visiting. She said she felt obligated to visit but I know she's enjoyed herself (plus her car got worked on so that's always a plus). 

We were talking about lots of different stuff yesterday. It's fun to see your child become an adult. But it's also heart-breaking and difficult to find your place as a parent in their rapidly changing independent lives. 

I'm doing a study by Jessica LaGrone about families -- how God starts with a family when He's going to do a big work. It's a great study. She writes, "release is the lifelong vocation of parents . . . handing my children over to God."

So true, so true. When I try to figure out my young adult children's lives, God reminds me, "I've got this Jane. Let me work in their lives. Trust me. Don't worry. Pray."

Each stage in our children's lives means a new stage for their parents. From the very first day a child is born we are teaching them to live on his or her own. This is why we shouldn't come to their rescue all the time. Let God do it. He wants to -- He is planning on it. He wants to be first in their lives; and if they, as young adults, depend on their parents for everything, they will find it out hard to look to God. It is a walk of faith to know when to step in and when to watch and see what God is going to do. And in those times you can't be the rescuer, you can be sure God has a plan!

Funny thing -- same principle applies really for everyone in our lives. We don't want to be a god to them. We don't want people to mistake us for being their savior when there is a real Savior just waiting to be in their lives. Again, it takes a lot of prayer. Sometimes we are the ones who need to fill that need we see. Sometimes we aren't the one to fill that need.

Sometimes people will try to pressure us to fill a need because they think we should. Don't bow to pressure. Step back and rest in God and seek Him. Bowing to pressure will just encourage whoever it is to use that kind of emotional manipulation again. Emotional Manipulation isn't healthy for anyone -- the person doing it or the person he or she is doing it too.

This is not the post I wanted to write. I wanted to write about a funny conversation I had with one of my children but I was told I couldn't. And I was told, "You aren't funny Mom. The only thing funny about you is your laugh."

That might be true. I cackle.

Yes -- like a witch. And the longer I laugh the more that cackle sounds witch-like.


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So much swirling inside

11/3/2015

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There are so many thoughts and concerns swirling inside my brain this morning (oooo-- evidence that my brain does exist):

First, I'm reading a great study by Jennifer Kennedy Dean on prayer. I will write down the passages from her prayer study I copied into my journal this morning. I know they will bless you. She writes:

John wanted to make it clear that when Jesus built a delay into the process, when He stayed two days longer in the place where He was (John 11), it was in the context of how much He loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus . . . His delay, then, was loving, purposeful, profitable, and deliberate. It was necessary for accomplishing the bigger agenda He had in mind.

And again later Kennedy Dean writes: 

When it appears from earth that God is delaying, He is really putting pieces together that you had not thought of. He is engineering circumstances so that His power and glory will be on display. When God builds a waiting period into the course of your affairs, it means that what He is doing requires it. His apparent delays are loving, purposeful, and deliberate.

This study is speaking to me directly about the sale of our acreage and former home in  Blunt, South Dakota. Of course we wanted it to sell quickly. It is taking a while, but God is in that "taking a while" time. Even if it is takes several months (or even more than that) God is still working. The longer we have to wait for answers to prayer (when we are waiting expectantly and with hope) the bigger the answer must be. Miraculously (but definitely not surprisingly) God has been sustaining us in our new home and giving us the ability to stay current on our payments for our former home. In His time God will move on this earth. 

Maybe you too have a situation you are waiting to see resolved. Keep holding on. Keep believing. Your belief is a work of God, and your constant belief (especially when it is tough to believe) is doing mighty things in the spiritual realm.

Second, have you been following Joey and Rory's story? They are a married couple country singing duo who write heart-felt songs about life and faith. Rory is an incredible writer. Joey, the wife, has terminal cancer, and this is the current subject of his blog found here. Please click on that link. You will be blessed. To see this man writing heart-felt faith-filled words while he watches his beloved wife fade from his life to the next is beautiful and loving and sad and tragic and incredible -- go there please. Here is the link again: Rory's blog. Her family is asking all to pray Thursday evening for Joey's healing and peace.

Third, how amazing it is that we get to be part of God's work. He invites us all to be part of His work. I am so thankful we are living where God has led us to live. If you ask God will show you Himself and what He is doing right where you live. Ask Him. Be part of it. Rejoice with others as they receive blessings. Weep with those who are mourning. Shout in joy while  you wait for God to move. This life is far more incredible and breath-taking than we can grasp. Thank you Lord Jesus!
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Be a Fly

2/19/2015

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If you've been a Believer for a while you are most likely familiar with the verse 1 Timothy 2:1-2. It says, "First of all, then, I urge tha entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."

Praying for our leaders was brought back to me in a Bible study I'm doing about prayer by Eugene H. Peterson.

And I think at times, Why bother? How much change can happen on the world's stage by the prayers of little ol' me? I think my prayer is no more than a little fly.

But then it was brought to my mind that one fly can do a lot! Think of it. One fly can make a person move. One fly can annoy. One fly can wreak havoc in an otherwise controlled situation. One fly can totally mess up someone's plans. 

If you pay attention to international media stories you have heard of the horrendous beheadings by ISIS of he Coptic Christians in Egypt. You have heard of the killings in Europe. You have read about the Anti-Semitism in France. You have watched stories of all the killings in America. You have read about our own leaders seemingly not caring what happens across the world to our Christian brothers and sisters.

What can we actually do in our snug warm houses in America?

We can pray and we each can be an annoying fly in these situations. And if millions of us pray that is millions of flies. And millions of flies can bring huge changes. 

Don't despair. Be a fly. Pray, pray, pray. God has won the war. He can win the battles too.

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Even that person?

9/21/2014

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In those times when you'd rather hit someone on the head, pray.
After I wrote a short thank you on Facebook I realized I had to write a post on this subject. 

You know that person you have a problem with? 

You know when you think of that person non-stop because you just want to punch him or maybe you detest the way she talks or maybe she just made you really mad?

Did you know that that specific person is coming to your mind so you can pray?

Yes, that person!

I truly believe if someone comes to our minds we ought to pray for them. Sometimes we get a thought randomly about someone. I think that really could be a thought from God because that person needs prayer (and then God may also lead you to do more than pray, but that is another subject).

That happened to me today...well, I think it did. I am still dealing with being a bit discouraged. Not about anything in particular. Not about anything that is bothering me. I just feel kind of lost inside and purposeless. I know this isn't reality. I have great purpose (as you do). I am a child of God. I am a mother of six children. I am the wife of a wonderful man. I am a friend. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a member of a church. I am the crazy lady who likes to make cookies and draw. And in all these roles (and others I didn't mention) there is purpose, God-given purpose to share His love. 

Nonetheless I've not been right emotionally. So then I haven't been right thought-wise either. 

But today, this afternoon, the cloud around me lifted. And right now that cloud is nowhere in sight. 

I know someone prayed for me. I don't know who (besides Jesus. Jesus intercedes for me and you all the time) and I don't need to know who. I am just thankful they prayed.

Prayer is so powerful.

Going back to that one person you'd rather not pray for. That is exactly why you should pray for him or her. I had a problem with a certain person years ago. It had a hold on me. So every time she came to mind I prayed for her. Eventually the thought of her no longer had a hold on me. Eventually I came to love her with Christ's love. Eventually I moved beyond my petty thoughts and had good thoughts about her. I still pray for her when she comes to mind (this was 20+ years ago). 

Oswald Chambers writes, "Being a disciple means deliberately identifying yourself with God's interests in other people."

And, "We must continually keep our soul open to the fact of God's creative purpose, and never confuse or cloud it with our own intentions."

So thank you for the prayers.

And when you come to my mind I shall pray for you. 

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people," 
1 Timothy 2:1
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After you ask, listen.

1/6/2014

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Above is Cartoon Jane. She says, "Good morning! The earth says hello."

That's actually a quote from a line from the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie.

Anyway, I share a picture of Cartoon Jane just so you know she's okay (I am too). But we might not have been if I hadn't been listening.

A week or two ago I started having health issues. I didn't know why. Mainly they dealt with my intestines and stuff -- kind of gross to give details about (sometimes life is gross). My health issues got so they even woke my husband at night. My body wasn't acting normally.

Then came some annoying pain -- nothing to send me to the ER or anything but again, it seemed related and maybe it was just from holiday diet choices. Sunday morning before church I did some research and found a diet that sounded like it would help.

During church our deacon asks for prayer requests. I asked him to pray for my health issues. Throughout church I was getting more and more uncomfortable. It wasn't good.

When we got home I made chili and then I headed to bed for my Sunday nap (my favorite part of Sunday often). When I woke up a couple of hours later I did some more research and then it hit me -- the time frame of my symptoms.

Sometime during Christmas break I found that ibruprofen took care of another problem I was having that was affecting me almost constantly. Well, it helped so much that I began to take it more and then my brain isn't the best and I think I took twice as much as I thought I had because I couldn't remember if I had already taken it -- wanted to stay on top of the inflammation.

It turns out I had poisoned myself with too much ibruprofen. When I realized this it was an ah-ha moment straight from God.

If I hadn't been listening I would have just tried the diet and kept taking the pain meds and would have gotten sicker and sicker. Instead, I am on my way to being healed.

Sometimes we ask God for stuff or answers and then we forget to listen.
His word tells us He's listening and He will answer.

"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:5-6

"Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

The answers aren't always what we expect or what we want to hear but He will answer. The thing about prayer is that it is a give and take with God -- He isn't a genie. He isn't Santa Claus. He isn't a dictator. He is God, Almighty Loving God who cares and loves more than we can imagine.

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Christian VooDoo

12/5/2013

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Don't forget to recite the spell correctly.

Don't forget the four magic words or it won't come true.

"In Jesus' name, Amen."

Uh-oh, did I just call those four words a spell?

I did because that is how we often treat them.

The Free Dictionary Online says a magic spell is
"a verbal formula believed to have magical force."

Jesus says to pray in His name in John 14 but I don't think He meant it in the way we so often use it.

There's no problem with saying "In Jesus' name, Amen" but that isn't what makes our prayers effective.

(And it's best to end prayers like that if you're praying in front of others because if you don't you will make some Believers stumble.)

John 14:13-14 says, "And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it."

Here is what I thought this morning about what it means to pray in Jesus' name:

When you use someone's name as a reference you are using all that person is, who that person is to say you are qualified.
If you say so-and-so recommends me for this job, if the hiring person knows your reference and respects that person, it will raise you up in the hiring person's eyes.

Do you get it?

Here's another example that I come across a lot in my life. Since my daughter died in March many things come up where we will say, "Maggie would have loved that; Maggie would have said _____ about this; (or) Maggie would have hated this freezing weather."

I can say all that because I know Maggie well. She would definitely have hated the frigid weather we are experiencing right now. I know what her reaction would have been to the snow day our school district had yesterday (yeah!!!); and I even know how she would have walked down our ramp to the car every morning these days.


The better we know Jesus the better we can pray in His name.
We  use His name when we know what we are asking is something He would ask for, something He would want to do. Those are the prayers we are told to pray. Those are the prayers He guarantees will be answered.

God is not going to grant things that would get between Him and us. He is not going to grant things that will muddle up the lessons He is trying to teach us. He will not grant things that will hurt us spiritually or push us from Him.

A prime example is people praying for a big financial windfall -- like winning the lottery or winning some huge cash prize. I know this happens and there are times that God is in it I'm sure, but the majority of the time God will not answer this for most people because a huge cash flow might seem wonderful but it has ruined so many people's lives. Instead of being a dream it becomes a nightmare.

What about those prayers that are definitely something He approves of but still don't get answered?

I think of my 14 year old who can't walk or talk and has several seizures daily. Why hasn't God healed him? At least from the seizures?


Maybe it isn't the right time. God's timing is perfect. He takes everyone and all things into account when He answers our prayers.


Continue to use those four wonderful words "in Jesus' name, Amen" but know that when you are saying them you are saying that what you are praying is what you believe Jesus would ask for.

Are you being true to Him?






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Prayer works but . . . 

8/20/2013

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Prayer works but not the way our flesh wants it to.

Our flesh, our self-centered thoughts reads Jesus' words in John 14:12-13 ("I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name.") and think, Yes! OK Jesus, Send me a million dollars. I want a new car. Pay all my bills.

That's not the way it works.

That's not the way God works. God isn't here to do our bidding. He isn't here to take orders from us.

There are zillions (well, maybe not that many) of prayer programs out there that promise results.

God isn't a program. God's promises can't be accessed and used with a human's five-step program.

So, did Jesus lie?

No!

Well, He said whatever we ask in His name He will do for us.

Yes, but thinking the above way takes His promise out of context. In Teach Me to Pray Author Andrew Murray has a great explanation of this situation:

"The Lord gave the wonderful promise of the free use of His name before the Father in connection with doing His works. It is the disciple who gives himself wholly to live for Jesus' work and kingdom, for His will and honor, to whom the power will come to appropriate the promise."

Are your prayer requests more like a Christmas wish list or are they in line with God's word?

The writer of James says what Murray says:

"You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."

If prayers don't get answered the fault doesn't lie with God.

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He is the prize

7/23/2013

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We pray for all sorts of things.

We pray for money to pay bills.

We pray for success.

We pray for other people.

We pray for circumstances to work out the way we want them too.

We pray for ________________________ (you fill in the blank).

There's nothing wrong with any of these prayers (there's nothing we can't pray actually because prayer is just a conversation with God).

But in all our praying we can forget what the prize really is.

Or maybe we don't know what the prize really is.

Maybe we don't even feel like the prize is a prize.

What's the prize?

Jesus Christ, knowing Him wholly.

If He doesn't sound like the ultimate prize then we don't know Him as we should.

He's absolutely incredible.

God is love. God is three in one. God is Father. God is Jesus Christ. God is Spirit.

He will help you become who you were meant to be.

"And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." Colossians 1:17
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Good Golly, You're Loved!

6/26/2013

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I love the picture above. The little girl looks happy and content and confident she is loved.

This look, this confidence in knowing you are loved is what God wants for you and for me.

I'm reading a book by Andrew Murray called Teach Me To Pray. I want to share some of what I read today. It's from Chapters 5 and 6.

Murray writes, "it is the will of God. . . that every childlike believing petition is granted.

"If no answer comes, we are not to sit down in resignation and suppose that it is not God's will to give an answer. Something in the prayer must not be as God would have it: childlike and believing. It is far easier for the flesh to submit without the answer then to yield itself to be searched and purified by the Spirit until it has learned to pray the prayer of faith.

"One of the marks of the weakened state of the Christian life these days is that there are so many who rest content without specific answers to prayer. They pray daily, they ask many things, and trust that some of them will be heard, but know little of direct, definite answers to prayer as the rule of daily life. But this is what the Father wills.

"Sometimes the answer is a refusal because the request is not according to God's word . . . Our Father lets His child know when He will not give him what he asks.

"Live as a child of God, and you may pray as a child with complete certainty of an answer . . . father-like giving is the divine response to childlike living.

"Lord, show us that only our unchildlike distance from the Father hinders the answer to our prayer, and lead us on to the true life of God's children."

"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:9-11
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A Big Vital Job

1/14/2013

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Our social climate encourages talk. People are told they have the right to disagree in a condemning, belittling kind of way. People are encouraged to grumble and be discontent. That's how advertisers make their money. That's how products get bought. That's how politicians get us on their side and get the money they are seeking.

But this isn't what God calls His people too.

There is room for discussion and disagreement. Those are okay and fine, especially when they are done with kindness and honesty they can really bring people together.

But often it is never approached this way.

Often, people don't have the courage to confront (gently) the one who is in the wrong. Rather, they talk about them and grumble about what that person is doing.

Don't do that. Please don't do that.

If we can't talk to the person who is in the wrong or who isn't seeing what needs to be seen, we need to pray for that person. If we can talk to them we still need to pray.

Being human is a difficult job! For all of us!

So this week, here's our assignment (if you take it let me know):

When we are frustrated with others, we will pray for them and ourselves, that they would be led by God and seek Him on how to do things.

When we feel hurt by someone else, we will pray for them and not take it personally. We will ask God for wisdom and also forgive that person.

When we have difficulties with someone who has authority over us (like a boss or a teacher or professor or a pastor or priest) we will ask God to bless them and ask God to give that person wisdom and guidance (and whatever else you feel led to pray). We will remember it is so darn hard to lead people like us! Hey, this includes praying for our president and governors. They so need prayer.

Here's another thing -- you can pray anywhere and at anytime. We all have time for prayer. You can pray when you watch the news -- pray for these people in that story that touched you. Pray for the people you disagree with politically. Pray for those who are hurting.

This world needs us to pray. You need you to pray. Your family needs you to pray. Your church, your school, your workplace -- all these places and people they represent NEED you to pray.

Don't neglect this. You can pray while you drive. You can pray in the shower. You can pray as you cook dinner. You can pray as you work. You can pray in the bathroom. Whenever someone comes to mind send up a prayer for them.

Prayer is a spiritual weapon and source of great protection that God has given us. Use it. Please.

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And pray with others. There is power in corporate prayer.

"Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst."
                                                                Matthew 18:18-20

"I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior"   1 Timothy 2:1-3
                                                                           

2 Comments

Please -- a request

9/27/2012

3 Comments

 
"All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too."
                                                                                                                                                                                                   2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Today, I have a request for you. Could you please pray for a W's parents? Little W went to heaven less than 24 hours ago and his parents, his brother and his family are grieving. They all fought for a long time to help W heal. And they had some beautiful days with him. But they are hurting a lot. Please lift them in prayer.

Thank you.

3 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving and a prayer

11/24/2011

0 Comments

 
We all have so much to be thankful for. If you are reading this then you can read. What a blessing that is! And if you have family, praise God for them. Even if you're fighting you have roots.

If you don't have family, do you have someone you love? Tell God thanks for that friend. God is so good to us. Take time to tell Him thank you for the good things. Make a list of blessings in your life. It will make you day better.

Take the high road. Go to your celebration to love others.

Leave your agenda at home. You know, if you have an agenda, just get rid of it. Life is about God and others.

Now, I am going to do something a bit different today. I am going to pray and invite you to pray with me. Here we go:

Dear Father, Please use us today to love others. Shine through us and minister to those we spend time with today. Help us use this day of thankfulness to be your servants. Help us show others the joy of life. God, thank you for loving us. Thank you for sending Your son Jesus Christ. We love you God. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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     Who is Jane Hinrichs?

    Jane is a wife, a mom, a writer, an artist, a lover of the Word of God. She has been studying the Bible since 1987 and has been writing about it almost since then. She loves to hear from her readers. Email her at:
    JaneHinrichs@mail.com

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