Does that happen to anyone else out there? I think sometimes there really is good intention and legitimate forgetfulness, but I hate to think of all the times we have missed opportunities to make a difference.
I have tried to change this habit in my life. I heard someone say once that we should just stop what we are doing right then and there and pray for the person asking!
As I have adopted this act of selflessness and love, I have been rewarded so unexpectedly. From tears of joy or sorrow to smiles and hugs of relief, I have watched the sincere words sent to heaven's ears melt the hardest hearts of stone and bring peace to the most confused souls. What an easy way to give love and hope.
I know there are nay-sayers out there who don't even think prayer is anything more than a wish lost in the wind...and for those precious people, my heart breaks.
Blessedly, I know better! I KNOW beyond any shadow of doubt that God is real and He hears every word I speak and even every thought I think!
I remember awaking early one morning, around 5 A.M. and sensing this urgent burden to pray. For three hours I would lie in the bed, praying anything and everything I could think of to pray. At 8 A.M., when alas I had to get up and get myself ready for the day, I continued to carry the burden to intercede.
I did not know for whom or what I was calling on heaven to intervene. I hadn't the slightest idea of what was so heavy that it needed attention!
My sons began to rise and roam, and two of the young ladies living with us at the time were likewise getting ready for their day. One would be taking the other to the airport to catch a flight. They asked if two of my boys could ride along, and having no reason to hesitate to allow them time with their "big sisters," I, of course, agreed.
The oldest son remained at home with me, but within a half hour, I received the call no parent ever wants. There had been an accident.
I was told everyone was fine, but left immediately to go see for myself. My husband met me along the way, and Garrison and I jumped in the van with him.
As we pull up to the scene of the accident, we have to slow down to a stop on the side of the interstate. I look over to the ramp, my eyes searching for signs of my "babies," and I see the side of the little sedan stuck on the front of a semi truck. The truck had pushed the small car up the ramp!
As plain as day, I heard these words, "This is what you were praying about."
I am overjoyed to report that NOT ONE of my loved ones was hurt in any way, other than shaken up, and neither was the truck driver.
How might that morning have gone down differently if I had been too sleepy or too busy to pray? Only God knows for sure, but I know the lesson I learned that day!
Friends...God sees and knows everything, and He yearns for us to believe that!
Psalm 139
For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave,[a] you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night—
12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave,[a] you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night—
12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me,[b] O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
19 O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!
Get out of my life, you murderers!
20 They blaspheme you;
your enemies misuse your name.
21 O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you?
Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?
22 Yes, I hate them with total hatred,
for your enemies are my enemies.
Get out of my life, you murderers!
20 They blaspheme you;
your enemies misuse your name.
21 O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you?
Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?
22 Yes, I hate them with total hatred,
for your enemies are my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
