Posted on March 3, 2024 Posted By: HCCCategories: journey
Heartland Community Church
THE JOURNEY
The Power of Prayer
by Shelly Huston
At times, Jesus separated himself from the crowd, and even his beloved disciples, to go into the mountains to pray. It was the best place to have a private conversation with his Father.
Sometimes, I must consciously step away from what’s happening and focus on my Father. When I think about the myriad of times he’s literally saved my life or the life of someone I was praying for, brought healing, kept us from harm, and helped keep my mind calm in crisis, it’s easy to “enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4) It’s effortless for me to enter into a spirit of prayer if I start with remembering the breakthroughs, thanking, praising, and blessing God’s fantastic name. These are not steps in prayer. In my experience they’re more like layers.
The day when my convertible hit an icy patch on a seemingly dry road, I cried out your name as the car skidded out of control. I remember my beautiful Mustang rolling multiple times, the top being ripped off, my head striking the dirt, and yet it was found straddling a ditch with my body fully intact. You were there the whole time, holding me in. Your name is Holy. "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them." (Psalm 34:7) You were with me then, and you are with me now; I thank you for protecting my life and being a good, good Father.
We both remember the day, Father, when I stood at a threshold in life that could have led to my personal demise. You were there with me, my safeguard, shield, and buckler, fighting and defending my life. At times, I took refuge in your shadow for protection, in sheer shock that this particular battle was taking place in the first place. "For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory." (Deuteronomy 20:4) The battle was real for marriage and for ministry. Through much prayer, fasting, and fierce, earnest intercession for all involved, recovery, restoration, and rebuilding have occurred. Thank you Father, for being gracious, for being kind, for being merciful.
When I had a 30-mile daily commute to work, I remember having 17 cents to get home and an empty gas tank. I remember asking you to multiply the gas, and miraculously, I made it home. I can count many times in my life or in the lives of others I know and love when resources were scarce; time and time again, you made a way where there seemed to be no way. I trust you; you continue to provide what is needed, even before I ask. You are the way maker Father. "But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
As I performed CPR, on the one I loved, you were there with me, as I wept when they wheeled that one away, you were there with me. As the ashes blew away on the mountainside you were with me, as I walked through life, you’ve been with me. You’ve walked with me, you’ve fought for me, you’ve carried me, you’ve wept with me, you’ve healed me, you’ve rescued me, you’ve been my shield and my buckler. You are my Father, Redeemer, Savior, Healer and King. There is none like You! I stand in awe of you! I trust you and will serve you all the days of my life!
Father, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
I pray that your kingdom come in me, that I would fulfill your purposes in my life, that I would not get in your way with my opinions and plans. I seek your kingdom in my life first, not to develop one of my own. I make room for humility, thankfulness, faith, and forgiveness. May your kingdom live and operate within me. May your reign start here and spread.
As you read this passage, consider the following: Are you ready for a breakthrough in a particular area of life? Are there areas of past victories God has granted you that you can remind the heaves and the earth of? Are there individuals you can intercede for who also need breakthrough, release, healing, or change? What effects, if any, will interceding for them have on your situation?
We get to choose what drives us. Will we live according to the spirit or our own will? This passage teaches us that the Holy Spirit joins with our spirit to tether us to God. You and I are children of God, and in that relationship, we have access to the power of his Spirit to practice self-control and to choose a path in life that glorifies him. How does your life currently point to the glory of God? How have you been tethered to God? How strong is your connection (to God’s Spirit)? Pray today, inviting God’s spirit to lead and guide you toward his plan.
These verses are a call to unity. As you read them, try to hear the voice of God calling you to this challenge. Our divided world can make us want to choose division and separation from those who think differently than us, live differently than us. If God is the Father of all, how then should my eyes and heart be postured toward every human? Take a moment and write your response to God and his call for unity
As the disciples doze off in this passage, Jesus prays to his Father, God, asking for this cup to be taken from him. For God to find another way. There are times when the answer from heaven is not always a yes, even if it is for his only son…. Jesus knew if he didn’t ‘drink this cup, die on the cross,’ the Father’s will wouldn’t be accomplished, and the Father’s word wouldn’t be fulfilled. God’s kingdom wouldn’t be on earth as it is in heaven. Is there a cup that God is asking me to drink? As I walk through life with Jesus, am I one of the ones who grow weary and ‘fall asleep,’ or am I one who will stay the course with him? One who would deny him? How is God’s word being fulfilled in me today?
What seems impossible in your life today? What could you learn from Mary? Elizabeth is also mentioned here. What did she do when she learned of her pregnancy that was different from what Mary did? How did it affect her life? Who can you call today to pray about your impossible situation and how to approach it differently than you did yesterday? What does the Bible say about your impossible situation? If you were going to put on a piece of God’s armor to help you fight this battle, which part would you choose and why?
{extra journey resources}
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources). You can also download The Bible Project App HERE.
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get the free YouVersion Bible for your phone, tablet, or computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
The Bible App For Kids YouVersion partnered with OneHope to develop the Bible App for Kids, designing it specifically to engage children with Bible stories on an age-appropriate level. The Bible App for Kids is a free app for Android, Apple, and Kindle devices, available in over 60 languages.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
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