“I’ll pray for you!” — how often have we said this statement … and how often have we DONE it? His word tells us, pray without ceasing [1 Thesoloanians 5:17] but how often are we actually praying? How many situations do we truly pray through?
More often than not, we find ourselves operating in our own strength — we rationalize, plan, strategize and apply man’s logic.
And all too often we forget, His ways are higher. His thoughts are not our thoughts. [Isaiah 55:8-9] So why do we try to move forward with man’s logic? We repeats systems. Duplicate processes. And turn to man for guidance rather than His Holy Spirit.
Recently I sat watching a 5th grade chapel service at my daughter’s school and found myself moved to tears. The entire performance was illustrated by way of lighting, music & silent actions to demonstrate the power of prayer.
A spotlight shines down on a family standing next to their loved one who was laid out on a hospital bed with doctors hovering around praying. The spotlight dims and moves to the next scene where a young man was arrested by police officers and brought to sit in a chair awaiting his fate. Finally, the spotlight makes its way to the final scene where a young girl is experiencing bullying.
Darkness fills the stage and then a small light appears hanging from the neck line of a young girl who siltenly makes her way across the stage. The music transitions to a song with a message pointing to the power of prayer.
As soon as the young girl carrying the light makes it to stage center of the floor, the spotlight reappears highlighting each scene one by one. A light illuminates from the neckline of the child laying on the hospital bed and suddenly she awakens. Lights, which have been hanging from each student’s neckline but unseen until now, suddenly brightens on every person involved in the scene.
This same sequence of actions repeats with each scene…the boy sitting awaiting his fate praying for God to intervene, the bully who has a change of heart … Light prevailed in every situation.
The students, who all now have a light shining from them, break into song & dance as Brandon Lake’s song, Praise the Lord, belts out over the speakers.
It was such a moving performance. And a reminder that PRAYER CHANGES EVERYTHING.
What situation is happening in your life right now that needs prayer? What are you trying to solve in your own mind verses taking it to the Lord?
He is a jealous God [Exodus 20:5] and wants to be in every part of our lives — in the details.
Let us bring every situation to Him. And seek His ways. His thoughts. And His guidance. For surely He will lead us to pastures of rest and follow through on all of His promises [Psalm 23].
We just need to give Him room to lead…..
From His heart to mine to yours,
Amanda
