Prayer of Encouragement
Last week I read in the church bulletin about a prayer group that meets on Tuesday evenings. I was excited to see that and knew it was something God wanted me to attend. The weekly bible studies are done for the summer and will begin again in the fall and since we are out of town on weekends, I wanted something to stay connected with my church family and God answered.
When I pulled up to the church it looked deserted and I re-read the bulletin to make sure I had the right day and time. I did, so I waited. During the wait my mind was bombarded with thoughts to just leave, it was probably cancelled. I knew that God wanted me to be there yet thoughts of doubt clouded my mind. “If you really heard from God the meeting would be taking place; it was all in your head, not from God.”
My earlier studies on obedience began to take over and I knew that I should at least walk in and see what was going on so I did. The pastor warmly greeting me and I asked about the meeting. He informed me that the usual attendees had cancelled, but he was there and so we talked for a few minutes.
In my heart I knew that I needed to open up and share my struggles with him, but I didn’t want to burden him with my problems. I continued to feel the need to ask for prayer when he said, “Is there anything I can pray about for you?” I knew that God had orchestrated this meeting and given me the opportunity to talk with the pastor without fear of sharing with unknown people.
The thought, “let it all out,” filled my mind and apparently my mouth because I did let it all out. I shared everything on my heart and as I did the pastor kindly listened and smiled. When I was done he offered words of encouragement and words that built confidence, then he prayed.
Some of the key words in that prayer were that I was to look for and celebrate the little moments and to remember that it will take time. It reminded me of the comfort I received when the two men prayed at the hospital for Brock and our family. I felt encouragement and I knew that God wanted me to hear those words. The situations hadn’t miraculously been fixed, but I know that God is working in them and I can trust Him and His timing.
The words, “it will take time,” continued to be on my mind as I read my bible study this week. King David was told as a young boy that he would be king, but it was several years later that he actually did become king. During that time he had many times of testing and training. Many of the Psalms’ that he wrote share his emotions as he was experiencing life in the waiting. I wonder how many times he must have replayed that day when Samuel anointed him and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power.(1 Samuel 16:13)
He had many opportunities to take matters into his own hands and yet he trusted in God’s timing. In my studies I came across a comment about the nation Israel and their response to waiting on the Lord. “If they had trusted the Lord, they would have been satisfied with manna and would not have cried out for meat, and they would have found joy and peace in their lives. Many Christians today are way ahead of the Lord, begging Him for this, that and the other thing. They are not willing to rest quietly and let God work things out in their lives. Sometimes when we keep after God, He sends us what we are begging for, but the result is leanness to our souls.” (J. Vernon McGee)
In this waiting I would much rather have joy and peace than leanness of my soul. King David set a good example of biding his time and waiting on the Lord. He celebrated the little moments and trusted God when the testing was fierce; always remembering that God had made a promise and that His spirit would be with him. Having God’s Sprit with him was so important to David that he prayed that it would never be taken from him. Psalm 51:11, “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.”
I want to be a woman after God’s own heart. God has given me a promise and His spirit and orchestrated a meeting where I received prayer and encouragement. I can trust Him in the waiting. Thank you Lord.
My Prayer
Father, I thank you for Your incredible orchestration of this prayer of encouragement, the message in Your word and the warning in the bible study. Help me to wait on You Lord and in the time of testing and training help me to remain faithful. Please don’t take Your spirit from me and guide me to live in joy and peace as I trust in You and Your timing. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Where does my help come from?
Psalm 51:11
“Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.”