How do you pray? Everyone has a different method.
My brother-in-law had a one hour commute that he dedicated to prayer. He wouldn’t play the radio or think about work. Instead, he spent that hour calling his family’s names in prayer.
Some people close their eyes while others stare at the sky. Some get on their knees and some take a brisk walk. And some people like me allow their mind the creativity to approach the throne of God as they imagine.
When my eyes are closed I see the Almighty power of the Universe watching me from his throne in the heavens. His eyes are kind and his facial expression lets me know that I am His child. Jesus stands beside him, smiling and shaking his head as if to say…”Oh….here’s that Debbie Jansen again. What is she going to say today?”
Yes, I was taught that we can have a personal and intimate relationship with God. And I do believe that both God and Jesus have personalities. Like my parents they can either laugh with me or reprimand my actions. They accept who I am, the flaws I have and maybe…just maybe they have a humorous acceptance of my personality and the way I think. I hope they giggle at me the way I lovingly giggle with my grand-daughters when their inexperience presents a mess on the floor or a mistake involving a nice lamp.
Today, I prayed all day for inspiration for this post. I’ve prayed everyday for His wisdom as I share encouragement for this election cycle. I prayed this morning……but felt like Jesus was busy and looking the other way. I prayed at lunch, yet it felt like God just stared at me.
God has been silent all day. I finally got on my knees and before I could start, the answer came. Quiet is not bad. Non-instruction is not bad. Waiting on God is a good thing.
So tonight…..I’m simply going to share another story of answered prayer. This one is from the Heroes of Faith series book #3 titled, Sacrifice & Triumph. (Remember these are only $1 – great Christmas gift)
A Child’s Prayer
“Mommy, pray for Miss Duncklee! Pray for Miss Dunkley!”
In 1969, Sharon Ballweber, a pastor’s wife in Finley, North Dakota, felt a persistent tug on her apron. Patiently kneeling beside her 5-year-old daughter, Janelle, she asked, “What do you want honey?”
“Mommy, we need to pray for Miss Duncklee. Can we pray right now?” Janelle asked.
They prayed for Mildred Duncklee, a missionary who visited the Ballwebers’ church months before. Satisfied, Janelle ran off to play.
Only a few minutes later Janelle returned and tugged at her mother again. “Mommy, pray for Miss Duncklee!” They stopped, prayed and asked for God’s protection.
Janelle continued to ask repeatedly several times throughout the day. Finally when she was tucked into bed, Sharon wrote a letter to Mildred Duncklee to ask if anything significant had happened. She explained how her daughter insisted on praying all day long.
Mildred Duncklee was dying. While crossing a river she received a severe bite – probably a poisonous snake. For two weeks she struggled. On the day that Janelle asked to pray, Mildred knew she was dying. “Lord, please have somebody pray for me,” she cried out. “I’m losing the power to even pray for myself.”
The people watching over her were sure she would pass during the night. Instead, the next morning they found her awake and feeling well. The battle was over, and she was on the winning side. Someone had interceded on her behalf. God had used a child to help pray her to healing.
Mildred also received a letter from a man confined to a wheelchair in Butte, North Dakota. He had been praying at the exact same time as little Janelle.
Never underestimate the power of prayer. It can come from children, from others who are also sick, from those who have needs of their own – it doesn’t matter. Prayer works and God moves when we pray.
Dear Jesus, thank you for caring about your children. Thank you for all the blessings we have in America. Thank you for salvation and for hope. Please forgive us of our sins. Please teach us to live as you would have us live. We desperately want to live the life you have designed for us.
This election process has been long and hard. We are weary and tired. Like Mildred Duncklee, I’m sure some of us are losing the power to pray. We need you. We need others to help us pray. We need a fresh wind of your peace and your will in this wonderful country.
Please take control of the situation in our land. Give us another chance to be free and to get serious about the most important job in the world – bringing souls to you. We love you Jesus.
See you tomorrow