I have been trying to write this blog post for weeks. My mind has been racing with ideas of how to show you God’s faithfulness. There are SO many examples, not just in the bible, but also in my life and the lives of each of you.
Just this week I could easily tell you about 2 major events where God provided unexpectedly in big ways in my own family through His miraculous healing and in friends that are family, knitting everything together behind the scenes so that major medical expenses thought to be a burden to the family are now fully funded and covered abundantly.
Every day God has opened doors of opportunity for faith filled conversations with unexpected people. He has allowed me to encounter people to pray with, cry with, and embrace with confidence knowing that God has placed each of us in that moment for such a sacred occasion.
While preparing for this blog, I have felt a bit like Jacob when he wrestled with God in Genesis 32. I have encountered God and I am forever changed because of it.
Other times, I have felt like Elijah on the mountain in 1 Kings 19, looking for God in the fire and the earthquake. When all along He is there with me, in the gentle breeze. Leading me and guiding me the direction He wants me to go.
Even this morning in my devotion before church, God said, “do it my way”.
So, this is me trying to do it God’s way.
Some time ago, Rusty gave a message about prayer. He suggested that if we find ourselves praying the same old thing over and over, then we should pray the Psalms. This morning God told me that this is how he wants me to share with you about his faithfulness.
This is my prayer for you today:
“May the Lord answer you in times of trouble.”
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your presence. I thank you for the ministry of Shaken & Stirred. God, I thank you for the freedom to call on you in times of praise and in trouble. God fill us with your Spirit. Wash over us with your grace. Place a stirring within each of our hearts for you God. Draw us in to relationship with you. Give us the courage to reach out to you in prayer.
“May the God of Jacob protect you.”
God you are the same, always. You are the same God to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob as you are to me and to us. Thank you that while the circumstances in my life can often change, God you remain the same.
“May he send you help from his Temple. May he support you from Mount Zion.”
God, I don’t know if I can do this alone. I don’t know if the women I know can go through these struggles alone. I know that you are always with me, with them, but God, please send others who know you and love you to know me and love me. Send other believers that will be an encouragement. That will speak your words. That will be your representation in the flesh. God if I can be that person to someone, Lord, send me.
“May he remember all of your offerings. May he accept all of your sacrifices.”
God, sometimes I feel as if I have prayed and prayed and prayed to no end. I have given all that I have to give. I’m not perfect God. I try, but I seem to fail daily. Please help me to understand that I am good enough. That there is nothing that I could do that will ever make you love me more than you do right now. I can’t make you love me more by doing more and you will never love me less. God thank you for loving me as I am right now.
“May he give you what you want. May all your plans succeed.”
God, you know the desires of my heart. All of my hopes and dreams. All of the ins and outs of my situation. You know all the details. God change my situation or change my perspective. God if my plans don’t match up with your plans, Lord, give me your vision. I don’t want to just see things and people the way you see them, God I want to see the complete picture. Help me to love others the way you love. Help me to love myself the way you love me.
“We will shout for joy when you succeed. We will raise a flag in the name of our God. May the Lord give you all that you ask for.”
God I’m trusting in you for victory. I’m believing for breakthrough in my situation. God, I believe you can, but please help my unbelief. I know that even as I’m praying to you now, you are working things out for your glory and for my good and I can’t wait to tell everyone about you! Use my story and my testimony to open doors for others to come to know you.
“Some trust in chariots, others in horses. But we trust the Lord our God. They are overwhelmed and defeated. But we march forward and win.”
God I’ve spent my life trying to fix things my way. Doing things on my own hasn’t gotten me anywhere. God I’m placing my trust in you. I’m placing my whole life in your hands. You own it all. You created it all. God you are in control, I am not, and I thank you for that.
“Answer us when we call for help.”
Thank you, Jesus that you have saved my life. Thank you that I can call on your name and you are here with me. I need you Lord. Come into my life. Come into my situation. Come into my heart. God, you have showed your love for me over and over. Thank you for your constant care and concern. I love you Lord. Thank you for the honor of being loved by you. Amen.
Mary Swafford is the founder of Shaken & Stirred, Meals that Matter, Coffee Talk, and a Co-Owner of Boulder Coffee in downtown Sand Springs. She is a wife, a mother of 3 beautiful children, but most importantly a daughter of the most high God. You are likely to find her chugging or serving coffee, sitting in a tattooist’s chair, or making friends out of strangers.
Photo by Diana Simumpande on Unsplash