With her infant brother on her hip and one small bag, 12-year-old Ariana carried all she had through the Darién Gap, a dangerous 60-mile roadless jungle crossing between Columbia and Panama. This treacherous route, often used by migrants seeking to come to the United States, is notorious for its harsh terrain, unpredictable weather, dangerous wildlife, and the presence of criminal groups. Ariana's world had recently come crumbling down upon her when her family was forced from their war-torn country. She had lost everything she'd ever known; now her parents were severely injured by the criminal group Clan Del Golfo, leaving them no longer able to continue; they had to be left behind, insistent that Ariana complete the task of freedom they started back in their own country. Ariana knew she needed to make it to Bajo Chiquito, a small village outside the Darién gap for those seeking refuge, to a couple who would help her complete the journey.
Ariana's mind wandered to happier times, laughing with her parents. She could see the sun shining through her mother's hair, still feel her warm embrace, and hear her dad's contagious laugh. All she had were her memories of better times and the love she shared with her parents. She was now alone, left to be the protector of her brother. Suddenly, bullets started flying all around her; crazed men were firing their rifles and shouting. With tears streaming down her face and her heart pounding, she lets out a scream. From memory, Ariana cries out the verse from the Bible her father read to her at bedtime, "Lord, you are my refuge, my God, I trust You. You will save me, rescue me, protect me. Lord, deliver me. Save my life! Jesus!!!"
The verse that Ariana cited in the story is Psalm 91. Some Jewish scholars believe Moses wrote it, although some disagree. The theme in Psalm 91 is that of God's protection from danger. It also has a rich historical context that adds a layer of significance to the Psalm, making it more than just a comforting prayer. Interestingly, it has become known as the Soldier's Psalm.* A commander gave it to soldiers during WWI, who instructed them to read it daily. Despite being involved in the bloodiest battles, the soldiers experienced no casualties. It is now read in more recent times by American soldiers in Iraq, churches, and households all over the world. It is a Psalm that provides profound comfort and unwavering strength in the face of adversity, a powerful reminder that God is our ultimate protector and refuge. For myself, this Psalm has become near and dear to my heart as I read it on behalf of my family for their protection.
From the NIV translation, Psalm 91 in its entirety:
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, "The Lord is my refuge,"
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
Psalm 91 begins with, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Most High and Almighty refer to God, representing His power and authority over all creation, not only in the spiritual realm but all the earth and universe. There is absolutely nothing higher than God. He has unlimited sovereign power to accomplish His good will. This verse says that as we dwell in God, putting our faith in Him, He is our consistent place of refuge, protection, and safety. There is nothing He will not do for and through us to accomplish His good purpose. Rest in the shadow of the Almighty: God's shadow is a place of power where we can dwell in Him for His protection, deliverance, care, and comfort. He is our refuge and fortress, and as we actively trust in Him, we can rest in His steadfast strength and protective guidance.
Skipping verse 4 momentarily, verses 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 list some harmful things that can happen to us. "Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you." To put the terms in more present-day language to help you understand the passage more clearly, fowler's snare could be interpreted as wicked individuals who seek to entrap others. The terror of night is our fear and anxiety. Arrows that fly by day could be acts of violence, wars, or other conflicts. The pestilence that stalks in the darkness can be seen as COVID or other deadly diseases. Plague that destroys at midday can be things such as wars, terrorist attacks, shootings, and car accidents. A thousand may fall at our side can be seen as deaths in times of war, natural disasters, illnesses, or other deadly diseases again. If you notice the verses, they list the bad things that could happen, but they also list what God will do: He will save you, that you won't fear, and it won't come near you: He's saving, delivering, and protecting you from the harm. Continuing, vs.8 says, "We will only observe with our eyes and see the punishment of the wicked." This verse means we won't be harmed when the justice of God is carried out against the wicked.
Returning to verse 4, "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." The imagery of being covered by His feathers and finding refuge under His wings is like that of a mother bird protecting her young with its wings; it illustrates His loving care. While we are alive, harmful things will happen; we are not immune to all danger. Yet God is our refuge. He will keep us close to Him in His protective care. His faithfulness is our shield, and rampart illustrates the defense He gives us against life's dangers.
Now to the "if," as seen in vs. 9. Other versions say "because or for you." Vs. 9-10: "If you say, "The Lord is my refuge," and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent." The verse is conditional and suggests that a condition must be met to trigger God's protection from harm or disaster. You must actively believe that the Lord is your refuge because having faith and trusting the Lord is essential to having God's protection.
There are 8,810 promises in the Bible. Nine of many promises made by God to man are found in Psalm 91, and we will be looking at those.
They include:
1. I WILL LIFT YOU UP IN MY HANDS vs 12
2. I WILL RESCUE HIM vs 14
3. I WILL PROTECT HIM vs 14
4. I WILL ANSWER HIM vs 15
5. I WILL BE WITH HIM IN TROUBLE vs 15
6. I WILL DELIVER HIM vs 15
7. I WILL HONOR HIM vs 15
8. WITH LONG LIFE I WILL SATISFY HIM vs 16
9. SHOW HIM MY SALVATION vs 16
Vs. 11-14 "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14 "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name." The present-day examples of the lion, cobra, and serpent could be any evil, affliction, disease, calamity, or anything that takes our eyes off God. The Bible mentions Satan prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. But God has given us tools to combat against the enemy, such as reading God's word and prayer. When Psalm 91 is read, the angels of God hear it and are commanded to guard those who love God and acknowledge Him, thus keeping us from danger. God lifts us up in His hands to rescue, protect, and deliver us.
Vs.15 says, "He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him." God is Omnipotent, meaning He has unlimited power, authority, and dominion over everything. There is nothing that God can't do. He is Omnipresent, meaning He is always with us, no matter where we are or where we go, even in times of trouble. He will answer us in our time of need and deliver us from trouble.
Verse 15 also mentions that God will honor us. There are many ways we can honor God. To name a few, we can keep Him 1st place in our hearts, choose to live righteously, give of our time, help those in need, keep our thoughts on God's goodness, and through our righteous words. We should do these things to honor God and show Him our love. But verse 15 says that He honors us. One of the ways God honors us is by showing His goodness to and through us. He wants to be good to us. Numbers 6:24-26 says, "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." These two verses say that He is always looking at you with love. He is proud of you and wants to be gracious to and bless you abundantly so that you will be abundant in His plans and purpose. He is honoring us: He will open doors that we tried so hard in our own strength but couldn't; help us to accomplish the dream that we thought was dead; He'll heal us when the doctors say there is no way. He will amaze us with His explosive blessings, showing His love in a great and unusual way that there will be no doubt that it was the hand of God. Don't doubt that His favor is in your life; it is. You have the favor of God.
In the last verse, verse 16, "and with long life, I will satisfy and He will see His salvation." The verse promises a long life, which doesn't necessarily mean age-related, but a life lived in God's presence in His love, favor, peace, and blessings. Even though it doesn't clearly state it, the verse can also promise eternal life with Him because it also promises we will see His salvation: salvation coming through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus. Jesus, who was blameless, died on the cross for our sins so that we might have a close and loving relationship with God, who has forgiven us and put us in right standing with Him once again because of Jesus's redeeming work.
A frequently asked question is, "How can we trust in Psalm 91 if bad things happen?" Many people don't want to trust in an evil God that allows bad things to happen. I don't blame them, neither do I. The Bible says evil does not come from God because He is good and knows no evil. Bad things come from Satan. We live in a fallen world. Evil entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, which can be found in Genesis 3. Someday, all evil will be banished, but in the meantime, God has given us tools to overcome evil when faced with it, and He will be present with us. Because God is so much bigger than all of the evils of this world, He can turn things around in a second if He wants to, and God does want to, but sometimes bad things happen: He doesn't prevent all evil. And nobody fully knows why this is true. Because He's God, He is the creator of the universe, and if God can create the universe from nothing, He can certainly stop all of the evils and bad things in this world. But God doesn't always.
I, too, have experienced tragedy. I'll never understand how bad things can happen to God-fearing people, pastors, kids, and just really good people. This world sucks and isn't fair. We are at war. We live in an evil, fallen world where there is so much sin, disease, corruption, and ugliness. What you read about or hear on the news is so amazingly heartbreaking. I won't cover my eyes and ears and try to pretend bad things don't happen. They do, and it will continue. However, I would rather pray things such as Psalm 91 and trust in God, trusting that He's got my family and me under His wings and have the faith He does, than not pray and leave them without lifting them up in prayer. At least I did something: I did my part in keeping my family safe. What else is there to do? Prayer is the best thing anyone can do. People often say, well, all there is left to do is pray. Prayer is the 1st thing we should do not only when there is a problem, but we should routinely be in the habit of prayer. We should be on our knees, hands raised in humble submission before Him. The alternative? You don't pray. I will choose to pray because I have been a Christ follower for a long time and have seen enough evidence that prayer works. Even if you don't have a close relationship with God, that doesn't matter; start somewhere. Pray.
If you don't have a relationship with God and have never received God into your heart, pray this simple prayer, "Heavenly Father, I believe that you are the Son of God and that Jesus died for my sins. I give you my heart, forgive my sins, and fill me with your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, guide and help me to follow you." If you have prayed this prayer for the first time, I encourage you to join a quality bible-based church in your area. Introduce yourself. I promise you, you won't regret it.
There are so many excellent testimonies of Psalm 91. Here is one of them.
*(n.d.). Soldier's Psalm. Military Christian Fellowship of Australia. https://mcf-a.org.au/articles/the-soldiers-psalm/
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Prayer moves the HANDS that rule the world
With her shawl wrapped around her shoulders, Maria hesitantly walks up to the front of the church sanctuary. She is shaking, and her heart is beating fast. Fighting back tears, she thinks all eyes are on her as she approaches a woman standing at the front of the sanctuary, smiling at her. Maria thinks the woman has kind eyes. Maria feels such a burden on her shoulders; she knows this is her last option. She needs more than the desperate pleas she sends to God inside her home. She needs prayer from one of God's people her neighbor keeps talking about. Maria hasn't attended church much, except for Christmas and Easter as a child with her grandmother. Her prayers were always, "God, if you're there, if you're real, help me!" The churchwoman takes Maria by the hand and asks for her name and how she can pray for her. Maria looks at the woman and starts to weep. All she can do is cry; she can't speak any words. The woman holds Maria and says, "God loves you so much. You are His child. He knows your heart and why you've come here today. I pray in the name of Jesus that He will help you, heal you, provide for you, and restore what has been lost." Maria doesn't know that God has already answered her prayer even though all she can do is cry: This is the faithfulness of God.
Philippians 4:6-7 is a great verse that summarizes why we pray. It says, "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." This verse says instead of dwelling on our anxious thoughts and concerns, we are to give them all to God through prayer and a thankful heart, thanking him when you pray because He hears you. God, the Creator of the universe, truly cares for you and wants to help you. In looking at the rest of the verse, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Peace is a gift given to us by Jesus. Because of your learned faith in Him, when you pray, you'll feel the peace of God in your heart and mind. The peace of God will protect you from the negativity accompanied by fear and anxiety. When a child goes to his mother or father after falling, the parent will make the child feel better by their presence, love, and care. Our Father is the same way. You can trust He cares when you go to Him with your concerns. You can trust that He is your Defender, place of refuge, Healer, Friend, Protector, and Father. Will you trust in His power to care for you?
God wants to have a relationship with us, and one of the best ways we can do this is to pray to Him. There are so many different opinions on methods of praying. While those methods are all acceptable, sometimes all people can pray is: "Help me God!" And this is pleasing to God as He meets you where you're at with what you have to give Him, for He cares about what's in your heart and that you desire to seek Him. Prayer shouldn't be a burden; it shouldn't be a challenging task. It can be as simple as a conversation with a friend. What works for one person with a Theology degree probably won't work for someone new to a relationship with God. Or whose life has become so hard that it took everything out of them to make it to church on Sunday with three kids. And honestly, if something is too hard, we won't do it. Remember, God is not looking for perfect prayers; He's looking for a sincere heart.
From the amplified Bible, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 advises us, "Be unceasing and persistent in prayer, (18)in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." This verse encourages us to pray consistently, which is easier than we think. The verse is a reminder that prayer is not just about asking for things but also about expressing gratitude and maintaining a continuous connection with God. One of the simplest ways to maintain a continuous prayer life is to have ongoing prayer time throughout the day. You can say things such as, "God, I love You so very much! God, I pray I get a good parking spot; you know my knee has been bothering me lately. Thank You for our beautiful sunshine today. I pray my child will get a good grade on his test today; he's been studying hard. Thank You for the restful sleep I know I will get tonight because Your word says that You grant sleep to those You love." Vs. 18 echoes the need to be thankful to God as He works within an atmosphere of praise and thanksgiving. The Bible is filled with verses urging us to express gratitude to Him. God is the source of all good things. Being thankful for His kindness and expressing our gratitude to Him strengthens our relationship and gives us a humble, grateful, and joyful heart. This continuous communication with God keeps us connected to Him at all times.
Above all, God is our loving Father, and His love for us knows no bounds. His love is our anchor, our comfort, and our strength. God longs for us to come to Him, to be drawn to Him without any barriers. Our relationship with Him and our prayers are all rooted in our faith. We need to have unwavering faith that He hears our prayers and desires to help us, which is the essence of our relationship with God-a loving Father who is always there for us, ready to listen and help, no matter what.
I've been an elder of our church for over a year now, and every Sunday, before I step out to stand at the front of the sanctuary, I pray that the Lord will give me the words to say if anyone comes to me for prayer. I depend entirely on the Lord to pray for others; I need the Holy Spirit to work through me. I have never liked praying aloud; I have always thought I sounded as if my prayers were weak. There are certainly people who sound so much more Godly than I do. But the Lord doesn't care about these things; He only cares that I am willing and have a humble heart for Him to work through me. God has also impressed upon me that it's less about me and more about the boldness of the people who come up to a stranger and share their hearts and burdens at the foot of the altar. I usually ask the person if they are comfortable joining me in praying, even if it is silently to themselves because it is their prayer and relationship with God. I've had one person say they didn't want to, and that's alright. At the end of our time together, I always ask if they have the faith of a mustard seed that the Lord will help them because God responds to faithfulness. "Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." -Mathew 17:20. I also suggest they thank Him this week. He heard the prayer; He knew what they were asking for. He responds to an atmosphere of praise, faith, and thanksgiving. "Thank you, God, for healing me. Thank you, God, for providing for me. Thank you for my child coming home."
When we pray, there is a divine reception: an act of opening ourselves up to God's blessings, favor, and grace. We don't see it, but when we pray, all prayers and petitions to God are immediately received in the heavenly realm. It is true that He already knows what we will say before we even utter a word. But when we pray, our faith in Him is activated. When we pray, He's already activating His angels to work on our behalf. It says in the Bible that our prayers are like incense to the Lord. We see in Psalm 141:2 a prayer of David, "Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." Incense is sweet-smelling to God. The Bible says incense was used in the temple morning and evening as part of religious rituals. And when we lift our hands to Him, we humble ourselves before Him in a posture of dependence and surrender with an open heart.
1 John 5:14-15 says, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And
if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." This verse says that if it's in His word, the Bible, it's His Will. You never have to question if it is His Will or not. If you see it in the Bible, He wants it.
Remind God of what is in His word, thank Him, and a bonus tip: always ask in the name of Jesus. We pray in Jesus' name because Jesus sacrificed on the cross for our sins, and we acknowledge His role as our Intercessor between God and us. Nowadays, it's so easy to ask Google what the Bible says about this or that. Find a Bible verse about your situation, and remind God what is in His word. For example, if you're looking for healing, find as many Bible verses as possible about healing and speak them out. Say, "God, Your word says in Jeremiah 33:6 behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. Psalm 41:3 says The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health. Now, God, I am asking in the precious name of Jesus, you will restore me to full health." After you've prayed this prayer, believe He has healed you. Even if your faith is as small as a mustard seed, that's enough; nothing is impossible.
In Mark 11:24, Jesus says, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Believe you receive when you pray. You don't need to keep asking Him repeatedly for the same thing. Instead, say, "Thank you for hearing my prayer. Thank you for restoring my health. Thank you for being my God, good Father, Healer, Restorer, Provider, and close Friend."
You don't need to worry about how you sound when you pray, nor be afraid your prayers aren't effective, for it says in Romans 8:26-27 that the Holy Spirit, our advocate, hears our prayers and prays to the Father on our behalf. The Spirit intercedes for us, praying according to God's purpose. "In the same way, the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to God's will."
What if you've been praying about something for a long time, and you're not seeing a breakthrough? A no from God doesn't necessarily mean no forever. It could also mean, "Wait, not yet. I love you too much to give this to you right now." The Bible speaks of God's ways being higher than ours, which means God's perspective, wisdom, and plans are far beyond human understanding. There could be a few reasons for a prayer not being answered, and we need to have faith and learn to trust in His goodness. If a prayer involves other people, it could mean God needs to work on the other party involved. He must change their heart and circumstances before the prayer can be answered. Or it could mean that if God gave you what you're asking for right now, it wouldn't be the best timing. It is hard to wait as humans, but God knows the end from the beginning; He created you and knows what is best for us and what is not. He looks after us so well, truly understanding what we need at every moment of our lives.
Keep track of the things God does for you. The times He's answered your prayers with a yes, the prayers He said no, and the things you're still waiting to come to pass. In doing so, you will be able to look back and see all the times the Lord answered a prayer with a yes, and for the no's, you'll look at it with a better understanding of why it was a no. Keeping track of your prayers will increase your faith. I keep track of my requests on my phone. I have my prayers that I have brought to God that are still waiting to come to pass; I have several yeses and a few no's. I'm genuinely okay with the no's. And the prayers that haven't been answered yet, I'm okay with also. I know God has my best interests at heart.
As an elder, sometimes people come to me with anger and unforgiveness towards another. From the words they have spoken, the anger spills out of them. After I pray for God to release this bondage and hurt, I will typically give them advice. I ask them to name one good thing about the other person and encourage them to write down other qualities when they get home. Funny story: I asked this of one lady I had been praying for for several months. I sat down with her and asked her to name one good thing about her ex-husband, and it probably took her about five uncomfortable minutes to come up with something. It was a little comical; she kept tilting her head to one side and then the other, piercing her lips. But she did eventually answer. I ask people to do this because holding onto anger and unforgiveness only hurts us: it opens the door to the devil, and it damages our spirit. But, if they can start seeing the person in a more positive light, the way God sees them, if it's just a little, it'll bring healing to their life. I also ask them to pray for the other person if they aren't already. I tell them that if they can't think of anything to pray about, then pray the Lord's prayer, which is found in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. It is a prayer that Jesus taught His disciples. When you do this faithfully, it'll get easier, and the Lord will bless you. I have heard it said that it is almost impossible to stay mad at anyone you're praying for. Unfortunately, this is true for the most part, but not always. But, by praying for another person who has wronged you, you're giving them over to God, who will not only help your hurts and pains, He's going to help the other person to change their behavior by 1st releasing the bondage Satan has over their life.
Keep praying for others. Don't just ask others if you can pray for them; tell them you are. Don't wonder if they're a Christian. You are! You're dismissing the power of God by not offering to pray for others, whether Christian or not. When you pray for others, you sow a seed, and God's angels go to work. The chains that were holding them back are loosened. Your prayers make a huge difference, even if you don't see an immediate victory. When God hears you praying for others, He sees your generous heart and will meet your needs.
"Prayer moves the hands that rule the world."-Charles Spurgeon. Prayer is one of the simplest and most rewarding actions we can do. It is the most potent force God gave us as it causes Him to make things happen that we never could on our own. Don't complicate things; talk to your heavenly Father. No prayer is ever too silly or complicated for God, so trust Him.
If you don't have a relationship with God and have never received God into your heart, pray this simple prayer, "Heavenly Father, I believe that you are the Son of God and that Jesus died for my sins. I give you my heart, forgive my sins, and fill me with your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, guide and help me to follow you." If you have prayed this prayer for the first time, I encourage you to join a quality bible-based church in your area. Introduce yourself. I promise you, you won't regret it.
Philippians 4:6-7 is a great verse that summarizes why we pray. It says, "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." This verse says instead of dwelling on our anxious thoughts and concerns, we are to give them all to God through prayer and a thankful heart, thanking him when you pray because He hears you. God, the Creator of the universe, truly cares for you and wants to help you. In looking at the rest of the verse, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Peace is a gift given to us by Jesus. Because of your learned faith in Him, when you pray, you'll feel the peace of God in your heart and mind. The peace of God will protect you from the negativity accompanied by fear and anxiety. When a child goes to his mother or father after falling, the parent will make the child feel better by their presence, love, and care. Our Father is the same way. You can trust He cares when you go to Him with your concerns. You can trust that He is your Defender, place of refuge, Healer, Friend, Protector, and Father. Will you trust in His power to care for you?
God wants to have a relationship with us, and one of the best ways we can do this is to pray to Him. There are so many different opinions on methods of praying. While those methods are all acceptable, sometimes all people can pray is: "Help me God!" And this is pleasing to God as He meets you where you're at with what you have to give Him, for He cares about what's in your heart and that you desire to seek Him. Prayer shouldn't be a burden; it shouldn't be a challenging task. It can be as simple as a conversation with a friend. What works for one person with a Theology degree probably won't work for someone new to a relationship with God. Or whose life has become so hard that it took everything out of them to make it to church on Sunday with three kids. And honestly, if something is too hard, we won't do it. Remember, God is not looking for perfect prayers; He's looking for a sincere heart.
From the amplified Bible, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 advises us, "Be unceasing and persistent in prayer, (18)in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." This verse encourages us to pray consistently, which is easier than we think. The verse is a reminder that prayer is not just about asking for things but also about expressing gratitude and maintaining a continuous connection with God. One of the simplest ways to maintain a continuous prayer life is to have ongoing prayer time throughout the day. You can say things such as, "God, I love You so very much! God, I pray I get a good parking spot; you know my knee has been bothering me lately. Thank You for our beautiful sunshine today. I pray my child will get a good grade on his test today; he's been studying hard. Thank You for the restful sleep I know I will get tonight because Your word says that You grant sleep to those You love." Vs. 18 echoes the need to be thankful to God as He works within an atmosphere of praise and thanksgiving. The Bible is filled with verses urging us to express gratitude to Him. God is the source of all good things. Being thankful for His kindness and expressing our gratitude to Him strengthens our relationship and gives us a humble, grateful, and joyful heart. This continuous communication with God keeps us connected to Him at all times.
Above all, God is our loving Father, and His love for us knows no bounds. His love is our anchor, our comfort, and our strength. God longs for us to come to Him, to be drawn to Him without any barriers. Our relationship with Him and our prayers are all rooted in our faith. We need to have unwavering faith that He hears our prayers and desires to help us, which is the essence of our relationship with God-a loving Father who is always there for us, ready to listen and help, no matter what.
I've been an elder of our church for over a year now, and every Sunday, before I step out to stand at the front of the sanctuary, I pray that the Lord will give me the words to say if anyone comes to me for prayer. I depend entirely on the Lord to pray for others; I need the Holy Spirit to work through me. I have never liked praying aloud; I have always thought I sounded as if my prayers were weak. There are certainly people who sound so much more Godly than I do. But the Lord doesn't care about these things; He only cares that I am willing and have a humble heart for Him to work through me. God has also impressed upon me that it's less about me and more about the boldness of the people who come up to a stranger and share their hearts and burdens at the foot of the altar. I usually ask the person if they are comfortable joining me in praying, even if it is silently to themselves because it is their prayer and relationship with God. I've had one person say they didn't want to, and that's alright. At the end of our time together, I always ask if they have the faith of a mustard seed that the Lord will help them because God responds to faithfulness. "Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." -Mathew 17:20. I also suggest they thank Him this week. He heard the prayer; He knew what they were asking for. He responds to an atmosphere of praise, faith, and thanksgiving. "Thank you, God, for healing me. Thank you, God, for providing for me. Thank you for my child coming home."
When we pray, there is a divine reception: an act of opening ourselves up to God's blessings, favor, and grace. We don't see it, but when we pray, all prayers and petitions to God are immediately received in the heavenly realm. It is true that He already knows what we will say before we even utter a word. But when we pray, our faith in Him is activated. When we pray, He's already activating His angels to work on our behalf. It says in the Bible that our prayers are like incense to the Lord. We see in Psalm 141:2 a prayer of David, "Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." Incense is sweet-smelling to God. The Bible says incense was used in the temple morning and evening as part of religious rituals. And when we lift our hands to Him, we humble ourselves before Him in a posture of dependence and surrender with an open heart.
1 John 5:14-15 says, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And
Remind God of what is in His word, thank Him, and a bonus tip: always ask in the name of Jesus. We pray in Jesus' name because Jesus sacrificed on the cross for our sins, and we acknowledge His role as our Intercessor between God and us. Nowadays, it's so easy to ask Google what the Bible says about this or that. Find a Bible verse about your situation, and remind God what is in His word. For example, if you're looking for healing, find as many Bible verses as possible about healing and speak them out. Say, "God, Your word says in Jeremiah 33:6 behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. Psalm 41:3 says The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health. Now, God, I am asking in the precious name of Jesus, you will restore me to full health." After you've prayed this prayer, believe He has healed you. Even if your faith is as small as a mustard seed, that's enough; nothing is impossible.
In Mark 11:24, Jesus says, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Believe you receive when you pray. You don't need to keep asking Him repeatedly for the same thing. Instead, say, "Thank you for hearing my prayer. Thank you for restoring my health. Thank you for being my God, good Father, Healer, Restorer, Provider, and close Friend."
You don't need to worry about how you sound when you pray, nor be afraid your prayers aren't effective, for it says in Romans 8:26-27 that the Holy Spirit, our advocate, hears our prayers and prays to the Father on our behalf. The Spirit intercedes for us, praying according to God's purpose. "In the same way, the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to God's will."
What if you've been praying about something for a long time, and you're not seeing a breakthrough? A no from God doesn't necessarily mean no forever. It could also mean, "Wait, not yet. I love you too much to give this to you right now." The Bible speaks of God's ways being higher than ours, which means God's perspective, wisdom, and plans are far beyond human understanding. There could be a few reasons for a prayer not being answered, and we need to have faith and learn to trust in His goodness. If a prayer involves other people, it could mean God needs to work on the other party involved. He must change their heart and circumstances before the prayer can be answered. Or it could mean that if God gave you what you're asking for right now, it wouldn't be the best timing. It is hard to wait as humans, but God knows the end from the beginning; He created you and knows what is best for us and what is not. He looks after us so well, truly understanding what we need at every moment of our lives.
Keep track of the things God does for you. The times He's answered your prayers with a yes, the prayers He said no, and the things you're still waiting to come to pass. In doing so, you will be able to look back and see all the times the Lord answered a prayer with a yes, and for the no's, you'll look at it with a better understanding of why it was a no. Keeping track of your prayers will increase your faith. I keep track of my requests on my phone. I have my prayers that I have brought to God that are still waiting to come to pass; I have several yeses and a few no's. I'm genuinely okay with the no's. And the prayers that haven't been answered yet, I'm okay with also. I know God has my best interests at heart.
As an elder, sometimes people come to me with anger and unforgiveness towards another. From the words they have spoken, the anger spills out of them. After I pray for God to release this bondage and hurt, I will typically give them advice. I ask them to name one good thing about the other person and encourage them to write down other qualities when they get home. Funny story: I asked this of one lady I had been praying for for several months. I sat down with her and asked her to name one good thing about her ex-husband, and it probably took her about five uncomfortable minutes to come up with something. It was a little comical; she kept tilting her head to one side and then the other, piercing her lips. But she did eventually answer. I ask people to do this because holding onto anger and unforgiveness only hurts us: it opens the door to the devil, and it damages our spirit. But, if they can start seeing the person in a more positive light, the way God sees them, if it's just a little, it'll bring healing to their life. I also ask them to pray for the other person if they aren't already. I tell them that if they can't think of anything to pray about, then pray the Lord's prayer, which is found in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. It is a prayer that Jesus taught His disciples. When you do this faithfully, it'll get easier, and the Lord will bless you. I have heard it said that it is almost impossible to stay mad at anyone you're praying for. Unfortunately, this is true for the most part, but not always. But, by praying for another person who has wronged you, you're giving them over to God, who will not only help your hurts and pains, He's going to help the other person to change their behavior by 1st releasing the bondage Satan has over their life.
Keep praying for others. Don't just ask others if you can pray for them; tell them you are. Don't wonder if they're a Christian. You are! You're dismissing the power of God by not offering to pray for others, whether Christian or not. When you pray for others, you sow a seed, and God's angels go to work. The chains that were holding them back are loosened. Your prayers make a huge difference, even if you don't see an immediate victory. When God hears you praying for others, He sees your generous heart and will meet your needs.
"Prayer moves the hands that rule the world."-Charles Spurgeon. Prayer is one of the simplest and most rewarding actions we can do. It is the most potent force God gave us as it causes Him to make things happen that we never could on our own. Don't complicate things; talk to your heavenly Father. No prayer is ever too silly or complicated for God, so trust Him.
If you don't have a relationship with God and have never received God into your heart, pray this simple prayer, "Heavenly Father, I believe that you are the Son of God and that Jesus died for my sins. I give you my heart, forgive my sins, and fill me with your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, guide and help me to follow you." If you have prayed this prayer for the first time, I encourage you to join a quality bible-based church in your area. Introduce yourself. I promise you, you won't regret it.
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Being uniquely you
Okay, confession time; right after we put on our church outfit, our Sunday best; sometimes, when my husband and I walk into church on
Sunday mornings, we'll say, "Time to put on our church faces." It's a term used to describe the facade some put on, the 'perfect' version of ourselves we present to the world. Then, immediately after church, we rush home and change into our sweatpants. For me, it's my Oscar the Grouch "scram" shirt and sweatpants. If the facade isn’t happening at church, it’s at work, with friends, or around your neighborhood.
"Let the world feel the weight of who you are and let them deal with it." With today's technology, we can use filters to hide our imperfections before posting on social media. We are also hesitant to hit the publish button before exposing our thoughts. We worry about the judgment. We'll even hide certain people from seeing a post. Not you? Is it just me? It can't be. I finally decided they shouldn't follow me if I had to hide people from a post.
Everyone has an opinion about how you should live your life. So many people hide who they truly are, fearing what others will think of them and what would happen if people knew the truth. You deserve to live as yourself, and others need to be okay with it. It’s a liberating feeling to be yourself without the fear of judgment. It's not because people aren't judging you; they probably are. It's because you've chosen not to care nor let their opinions hold you back. You ultimately will not be happy if you're constantly worried about what others think.
Be unique. Stop apologizing for being authentically you because the world needs more genuine people: people who are brave enough to show who they really are and not hide behind the filters. Wear the shirt with the leather pants, turn that song you love up, dance even though you suck at it, and live out your dreams. You only get one life, so live the way you want to. If you live the way you think is best for you, one life is enough.
"Let the world feel the weight of who you are and let them deal with it." With today's technology, we can use filters to hide our imperfections before posting on social media. We are also hesitant to hit the publish button before exposing our thoughts. We worry about the judgment. We'll even hide certain people from seeing a post. Not you? Is it just me? It can't be. I finally decided they shouldn't follow me if I had to hide people from a post.
Everyone has an opinion about how you should live your life. So many people hide who they truly are, fearing what others will think of them and what would happen if people knew the truth. You deserve to live as yourself, and others need to be okay with it. It’s a liberating feeling to be yourself without the fear of judgment. It's not because people aren't judging you; they probably are. It's because you've chosen not to care nor let their opinions hold you back. You ultimately will not be happy if you're constantly worried about what others think.
Be unique. Stop apologizing for being authentically you because the world needs more genuine people: people who are brave enough to show who they really are and not hide behind the filters. Wear the shirt with the leather pants, turn that song you love up, dance even though you suck at it, and live out your dreams. You only get one life, so live the way you want to. If you live the way you think is best for you, one life is enough.
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Many years ago, I worked for a company in Beaverton, Oregon. One of the auditors, Cathy, had a young daughter. I remember her telling us with excitement everything she had planned for her daughter on her birthday on Saturday. She had everything set up for her daughter and was genuinely excited to spend time with her. However, Cathy never attended the birthday party. Cathy didn't meet her work deadline and never made it to the party; she worked instead. I thought about her recently and discovered she divorced and re-married.
People need to work because we aren't meant to stagnate, but to have a purpose and money is essential. However, work should never be more important than family. Giving more attention to your employers and co-workers can have disastrous implications.
Proverbs 23:4 says, "Do not weary yourself [with the overwhelming desire] to gain wealth; Cease from your own understanding of it." This verse is a call to rest, and it encourages people not to be so consumed with work that they neglect the other areas that God has given us: our family, church, home, gifts, talents, etc. Only focusing on work isn't fruitful for the different areas of life. When you over-work to gain more money, it's like you're telling God, "I don't trust you to provide for my needs. Money is more important."
My husband's work is usually an off-limits subject to talk about at the dinner table. His boss hasn't always treated him well. So, I want to hear about other aspects of his day, such as an interesting person he met. Or visit topics about our future plans and goals.
Work has become such a driving force in this world that when we meet someone, we ask, "What do you do?" When we ask someone to tell us something about themselves, they usually respond by saying what they do for work. Your work isn't who you are; it's what you do to earn money. It isn't your entire identity and doesn't define your self-worth.
Take the time to nurture your connections with your family and yourself. Engage with your loved ones each day. Pursue interests and goals outside of your professional life, and make it a point to try something new each week. Doing so will enrich your life and deepen your relationships, finding a balance that will truly allow you to enjoy life.
People need to work because we aren't meant to stagnate, but to have a purpose and money is essential. However, work should never be more important than family. Giving more attention to your employers and co-workers can have disastrous implications.
Proverbs 23:4 says, "Do not weary yourself [with the overwhelming desire] to gain wealth; Cease from your own understanding of it." This verse is a call to rest, and it encourages people not to be so consumed with work that they neglect the other areas that God has given us: our family, church, home, gifts, talents, etc. Only focusing on work isn't fruitful for the different areas of life. When you over-work to gain more money, it's like you're telling God, "I don't trust you to provide for my needs. Money is more important."
My husband's work is usually an off-limits subject to talk about at the dinner table. His boss hasn't always treated him well. So, I want to hear about other aspects of his day, such as an interesting person he met. Or visit topics about our future plans and goals.
Work has become such a driving force in this world that when we meet someone, we ask, "What do you do?" When we ask someone to tell us something about themselves, they usually respond by saying what they do for work. Your work isn't who you are; it's what you do to earn money. It isn't your entire identity and doesn't define your self-worth.
Take the time to nurture your connections with your family and yourself. Engage with your loved ones each day. Pursue interests and goals outside of your professional life, and make it a point to try something new each week. Doing so will enrich your life and deepen your relationships, finding a balance that will truly allow you to enjoy life.
Monday, February 17, 2025
It's a familiar story, isn't it? The societal, parental, and cultural pressures that seem to dictate our lives. Get an education, find a job, start a family, buy a house, accumulate stuff, and keep working to pay for it all. Where's the passion? It's a script we're all too familiar with, and it's time we realized that what society expects is often a bunch of crap.
I, too, am a victim. I have attended several colleges and earned a master's degree. Oh yawn. I earned it in my 40's. I swear I got it just because I wanted a master's so I could put it on my fridge like one of my kids' pictures. Pffft. I've been married twice, have owned two houses, and raised my children. I've never known what I wanted to do, and I still don't. I know what my talents are and am working to utilize them. Unfortunately, I am not a stranger to criticism from unapologetic others who have chosen to be cruel because my lifestyle isn't the same as theirs, a touchy subject. I know I don't want an ever-increasing mortgage, a house full of crap we don't use, to freeze each year in the winter, having the same walking routes, and rarely seeing my husband. I don't want to one day have regrets that I didn't choose to have courage, the magic that makes dreams come true.
My husband has been on the work hamster wheel for most of his life. It's an ongoing cycle normalized: Work, pay bills, spend just a little time with family, and then return to work on Monday. He works hard, and what does he have to show for it? Hmmm, I'll get back to you on that. He wants to retire soon so we can travel, spend Christmas on the beach holding a margarita, and dance to his heart's content in his yard. He prefers clothing optional.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." My advice is to find a vision for your life. Take time to reflect on what truly matters to you. What are your passions, talents, and your dreams? You don't want to wake up one day and wonder what happened. What did I do with this incredible life I was gifted with? It's never too late to make a change. Start by taking small steps toward your vision, and soon, you'll find yourself living a life that's truly fulfilling.
I, too, am a victim. I have attended several colleges and earned a master's degree. Oh yawn. I earned it in my 40's. I swear I got it just because I wanted a master's so I could put it on my fridge like one of my kids' pictures. Pffft. I've been married twice, have owned two houses, and raised my children. I've never known what I wanted to do, and I still don't. I know what my talents are and am working to utilize them. Unfortunately, I am not a stranger to criticism from unapologetic others who have chosen to be cruel because my lifestyle isn't the same as theirs, a touchy subject. I know I don't want an ever-increasing mortgage, a house full of crap we don't use, to freeze each year in the winter, having the same walking routes, and rarely seeing my husband. I don't want to one day have regrets that I didn't choose to have courage, the magic that makes dreams come true.
My husband has been on the work hamster wheel for most of his life. It's an ongoing cycle normalized: Work, pay bills, spend just a little time with family, and then return to work on Monday. He works hard, and what does he have to show for it? Hmmm, I'll get back to you on that. He wants to retire soon so we can travel, spend Christmas on the beach holding a margarita, and dance to his heart's content in his yard. He prefers clothing optional.
"They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Mark 12: 44
I talked with this woman today after church for about an hour. She is a kind and intelligent woman with a heart of gold. She doesn't currently have a job but is looking. She has no income and only $7 in her bank account. Afterward, we walked over to talk with and pray for a sometimes homeless man. He is a joyful, inspiring, and talented illustrator. After I offered up a prayer on his behalf, she generously gave him all she had in her wallet, $2 (pfft, I only had .75 cents), so he could take the bus to McDonald's. I pray the Lord will show her much favor and bless her abundantly. May we all have this kind of faithful generosity.
Picture was taken at Smith Rock, Terrebonne OR
Monday, February 10, 2025
You can see the world through any set of glasses. You can see it through dark and gloomy glasses or rose-colored. What you focus on is what you'll find. Choose to see it through glasses full of love, beauty, and goodness: we are surrounded by many of these qualities if that's what you focus on. A smiling face from you as you pass by someone or even a simple hello can mean so much to others.
Brett and I like to hike Dog Mountain, a 6-mile roundtrip strenuous hike in Cook, WA. We could either choose to focus on how hard it is with its 2800 ft of strenuous butt and quad-killing hills: or we can know our efforts will be awarded by the spectacular, breathtaking views of flowers and surrounding hills at the top. The choice of perspective is yours, and it can make all the difference.
After angrily slipping and sliding in gooey mud on one hike, I encountered an older woman who changed my perspective of nature.
She had her hand on one cheek and was in awe. I saw what she was seeing; the view was of the nearby mountain. The cloud cover was hitting the hills at the right angle, with the sun beaming and the perfectly blue sky, also making the clouds a nice shade of blue. She was grinning ear to ear and said to me, "It is just stunning, isn't it?" I smiled back and replied, "It really is."
Brett and I like to hike Dog Mountain, a 6-mile roundtrip strenuous hike in Cook, WA. We could either choose to focus on how hard it is with its 2800 ft of strenuous butt and quad-killing hills: or we can know our efforts will be awarded by the spectacular, breathtaking views of flowers and surrounding hills at the top. The choice of perspective is yours, and it can make all the difference.
After angrily slipping and sliding in gooey mud on one hike, I encountered an older woman who changed my perspective of nature.
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