Prayer – Page 3 – The Shepherd's Daughter

Category: Prayer

Just Passing Through

Posted on March 16, 2012February 10, 2014 by Shelley

I first met Diane when she joined our weekly “Moms in Touch” prayer group. She and her family had recently moved to the prairies of Wyoming from the beaches of Georgia, where she had belonged to a similar group. She knew the value of consistent, focused times of prayer for her children and quickly sought out a group to pray with here.

It’s funny how you can feel like you’ve known someone for awhile even though you’ve just met. Fellowship in the Lord is like that. Mothering children of similar ages and stages also creates an instant connection. But opening up your heart and soul in prayer develops an understanding and an intimacy that goes even deeper.

I’m thankful for the time I had with Diane, for she and her family moved back to Georgia within a year, preferring the humid coast to the arid high plains. (And who could blame them?) Wyoming was not their home. It was almost as if they were just passing through, never meant to stay here permanently.

Today I received a call telling me that Diane had been diagnosed with cancer this past fall, and had passed away last month. I hadn’t picked up on the one or two subtle references to health issues and difficulties on her Facebook page during that time. But then, Diane wasn’t one to draw attention to herself. Her focus, during the brief time I knew her, was always on others, especially her three kids.

And just like that, she’s gone.

I bet she prefers the crystal seas of heaven to the barren, in comparison, landscape of this earth. (And who could blame her?) This world was not her home. She was just passing through. She was never meant to stay here permanently.

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 3:20)

And now I’ve got another friend waiting for me there.

What Do You Want?

Posted on February 16, 2012August 29, 2013 by Shelley

If God offered to grant you ONE request, what would yours be?

This was the question I was considering Sunday morning as our pastor challenged us to pray a bold prayer and ask for a BIG thing from God.

This was also the question posed to King Solomon one night in a dream.

“God said, ‘What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!’ ” (1 Kings 3:5)

“What do you want?”

Well, I could think of a lot of things! A lifetime supply of Ghirardelli chocolate would be a big thing. (But then I would become a BIG THING.) My children to walk with God their whole lives would be a bigger thing. A good result from a recent biopsy, however, was the biggest thing on my mind that Sunday morning.

Solomon apparently had a few hefty items at the top of his prayer list: Wealth. Long life. Victory over his enemies. Yet, as a new king, he knew enough to know he had a greater need: Wisdom.

I knew I also had a greater need. A benign report would sure be welcome news. That’s what I most wanted to pray for that morning. But I knew that relief would only be temporary, until the next health scare or crisis appeared. I needed something more lasting, something that would continue to serve me well, whatever life’s path might bring.

I was even afraid to pray it. But I swallowed my fear and did it anyway.

Lord, make me…fearless.

Solomon’s request pleased the Lord so much that He granted him an abundance of wisdom. “I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have!” (1 Kings 3:12) The Hebrew word for “understanding” literally means to hear. The Message translates it as “a God-listening heart.” Now wouldn’t that be an awesome thing to have!

But that wasn’t all. “And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.” (1 Kings 3:13-14) He had asked for his greater need. And he received along with it every lesser thing.

I believe God is in the process of granting my request too. I do long to be transformed into a bold person, one who can “laugh without fear of the future” like the woman in Proverbs 31. This really is my greater need.

But the Lord is so gracious. After a long week of waiting, I finally received my test results, and they were negative. Thank You Lord, for also granting this “lesser” desire of my heart.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) I think this principle has been brought home to me in a deeper way this week.

Pursue the greater. Let God provide the lesser.

So, I’ll ask the same question of you. Think big. Choose wisely.

What do YOU want?

What’s a Mom to Do?

Posted on January 25, 2012April 14, 2015 by Shelley

A friend whose oldest son was entering the teen years asked me if I had any parenting advice for her. I thought for a moment, searching for something profound to share, some pearl of wisdom that might help her sail more smoothly on the often choppy waters of adolescence. But all I could come up with was one word.

“Pray.”

I remember feeling somewhat apologetic. Like I had disappointed her with the simplicity of my answer and lack of practical help. But the more I thought about it, I realized that that one little word really was the one big thing that had helped me through every challenge I had encountered as a mom of teenagers.

Sure, I prayed when my children were young. Back then, though, I was the one planning the play dates and calling the shots. The kids were never far from sight, or if they were, they were under the watchful eye of someone I knew and trusted.

With teens there were so many more variables and unknowns. So much was out of my control. And it seemed like every time I turned around I was being faced with a decision that needed to be made–now.

“Mom, can I spend the night at Amanda’s after the game tonight?”

“There’s this Halloween party Saturday night and EVERYone is going to be there. Can I PLEASE go?”

“Friday night this REALLY cool band is playing that I’d REALLY like to go hear.”

Help! First I would try to gather as much information as I possibly could about the situation. Who is going to be there? Will there be adult supervision? Would it be ok if we just locked you in your room until you turn 18? (Just kidding. But I will admit the thought has crossed our minds. More than once.)

But then what? What’s a mom to do when she doesn’t know what to do? I believe the answer is found in James 1:5:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

It’s that simple. Ask God. Pray. He promises wisdom and guidance to those who ask in faith. The right path didn’t always appear instantly obvious, but, with His help, a wise decision could eventually be made. (Which would then be followed by even more prayer–before, during, and after the event!)

Other times it wasn’t a specific question needing an answer, but more of a vague uneasiness that would settle over my maternal spirit. Like Madeline’s Miss Clavel I would “turn on the light,” sensing “something was not right.” I believe the Holy Spirit was alerting me to a need or potential danger and prompting me to pray. Often I would discover that the child I was burdened for was indeed in the midst of some struggle and in need of my prayerful attention.

“But I am in prayer.” (Psalm 109:4)

David spoke these words during a trying season when he was facing great opposition and oppression. When I have been overwhelmed by a difficult parenting challenge, or felt like we were losing ground in a particular battle, this phrase would encourage me to keep interceding for my children. Prayer really does change things. I have seen healthy relationships begin, unhealthy relationships end, sins exposed, and breakthroughs occur–all in answer to prayers I’ve prayed.

Joining with other like-minded moms in prayer has also been a huge source of strength and support during these years. My weekly “Moms in Prayer” (formerly “Moms in Touch”) group has been a place to share burdens and agree in prayer together. I always leave that time feeling lighter in spirit, less anxious, and more encouraged. Prayer has changed ME.

So perhaps I AM wiser than I thought when it comes to offering parenting advice. Or maybe I just know what to do when I don’t know what to do.

I pray.