Prayer: More Than Flowery Phrases or Deep Theology

"Would anyone like to pray?" 

We all know the awkward feeling. 

Hoping someone prays before grandpa begins a blessing longer than the mashed potatoes remain hot. 

Looking down and hoping you aren't volunteered by a brother smirking in the next seat. 

Would anyone like to pray? The answer seems to be we don't "like" to pray after all. I'm guilty. Talking to God for the world and the family to hear can be intimidating. What will I say? I remember my first out-loud prayer. Tears of love for Jesus filled my heart and eyes as I prayed, "Thank You, God. Amen." Oh my. Four words were all I could say, and I cried! Tears fell on my food. How embarrassing! No flowery phrases or deep theology on my tongue. Just four words. And tears. Looking back, I am confident God loved my prayer because God saw my heart.

I imagine another table. Jesus sits at the right hand of God. 

God asks, Would anyone like to pray for Elaine?

Jesus jumps up. Me! Me! I will pray for Elaine!

And Jesus does — all day — every day — interceding for me and for you.

Imagine what life would be like if Jesus responded, "Nah. I don't want to pray for Elaine today"? Jesus would never say those words, but do we when we are lackluster in prayer?

Oh Jesus, forgive me for prayerlessness. What a gift you gave when you allowed us access to your ears and your heart through our prayers. What a privilege to pray — all day — every day to the One who prays without ceasing for me.

 Jesus "is at the right hand of God . . . interceding for us"

 (Romans 8:34)

Prayer is a splash of serenity God grants to all. Jump right in and enjoy the living water He gives when He refreshes us through our prayers to Him and His prayers for us.

A Prayer That Transforms Our Marriages, Our Families, Our World

The world is a mess! Marriages are crumbling and families are falling apart. Governments are collapsing while citizens die in the streets they called "home." Who is to blame for this? Well, if you listen to politicians or to a domestic dispute; it's, most likely, "the other guy."

People are so quick to point the finger at someone else instead of asking God to point the finger at them.

The Psalmist David got it right when he wrote Psalm 139: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."

As we ask God to search us, know us, test us, point out what offends, and lead us, we'll change and so will our marriages, our families, and our world. Now, that's a splash of serenity we could all use! Thanks, David. Thanks, God.

Do you know a prayer that transforms or have a testimony of how prayer transformed your marriage or family? Please share what God did for you.  

Splashes of Serenity prayed for your day!

Elaine

My Silly Birthday Poem — Whoopee! I'm 73!

I never knew that age 72

would hit me hard with covid flu.

Yikes! I ended up in ICU!

But God laughed and said with glee!

I've got more days for Elainey!

He knew all along, I'd celebrate No. 73!

Thanks to all who bent their knee

Spending hours in prayer for me. 

Prayer isn't like barking up a tree.

No. Prayer sets the covid captive free!

Imprisoned in hospital, I wanted to flee.

In isolation someone threw away the key!

But God had some work there for me.

I prayed for each nurse bringing my tea.

There were those with needles I didn't want to see.

And the sweet servant ladies who took me to pee.

All received prayer to God for thee.

We cried and we laughed as three.

God, health workers, and me.

As I approach year 73,

I remember all my husband, family, friends have done for me.

I was blessed to feel their love without any fee.

Just love from them to little old me. 

And so I say Toodle-oo

to the year I celebrated age 72.

Golly gee!

Bring it on age 73!

God chose life and still has plans for me

until that day when He calls me to flee

my earthly body and come Heavenly.

What a grand day that will be

When I'll sit with God and we'll pray for thee.

With thanks to God for this wonderful life here and in eternity!

Happy Birthday to me!

"All the days ordained for me 

were written in your book 

before one of them came to be" 

Psalm 139:16

Thank you, dear friends for your love, encouragement, and support during a year I never expected. A year of suffering and pain and amazing blessings and service and love. I wouldn't miss this adventure for all the health in the world. God has a plan and God's plans for our days are always good. I love you all! You are may splash of serenity today!

Cancer is Conflict

My heart aches. 

Such conflict within me.

I awoke to "amazing, phenomenal, unbelievable" blood test results. Those adjectives are the doctors, not mine. Take a look. I rejoice and thank God there is no trace of leukemia in me, so says my blood. Each component is right dab in the middle of standard range. Even so, there is a battle going on in my body. Daily, leukemia rears its ugly head as targeted therapy goes after and kills the cancer cells. Tomorrow these two foes will rise to fight again. So far chemo is winning the conflict. Hallelujah!

So why is my broken heart conflicted?

This morning I also received the news that a dear friend, wife, mother, daughter, writer, and lover of Jesus didn't receive her hoped for test results. Her bone, lung, and brain cancer may soon take her to Heaven. My heart grieves for her sweet family. I know how she feels, as I received bad news a year ago.

Yet, here I am well,
and there she is suffering. 

My mind is in conflict. 

Why her, and not me? 

Why a young mother and not this old woman? 

Those are questions no one can answer. Except God. He has a plan and while we watch His plan unfold, I am praying with all that is within me for Deborah Kessler's health. A big part of me feels her possible death is unfair. I wish I could take her place. And then I remember, there is One Who already did. Because He lives Deborah and I will live forever. Jesus shed His blood and now our blood tests really don't matter. The conflict is over for those who believe in Christ.

Please join me and pray for a miracle.

 Pray for Deborah Kessler's complete healing in the Name of Jesus!

Deborah posted the following on facebook this morning: 

"First, I want to say, it’s all true: Jesus, the Bible, the peace that passes all understanding,... I’m telling you, I’m looking death squarely in the face and “I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed to Him...”

  I know God is in control. For whatever zillion reasons, He is allowing this for my good and His glory. I don’t like it, but in heaven, when I really know why, I will.

Please pray for the miracle. I am hemmed in between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army, I can feel the heat of the fiery furnace, And I know that God is able to deliver me from the mouth of the lions.

But after that, please pray for my family. We are having a very difficult time.

It’s time to think of funerals and realities of death but also it’s time to think of living and spring and hope... it is very sad here. We need to laugh.

I am sorry for all of you, my sweet friends and family who are sad. I hate that you’re having to go through this, too. Know that God is helping me through my story... but this really is part of your story too. Let God comfort you and help you through your story that’s still unfolding. I’m praying for you. I’m trusting God. 💙😢💙🙏🏻💙😊💙

Deborah described her feelings on the day she learned of her cancer as "walking under a beam of sunshine that was filling my soul with indescribable peace. His umbrella over me is His steadfast love." She sketched this picture in her journal on that rainy day. Her drawing is the perfect example of what I experienced and what other cancer patients say, The day they learned they had cancer, they had total peace. Thank You God for Your Peace when we walk through the thunderstorms under the umbrella of Your love.   

"All His work is done in faithfulness . . . the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. 

Psalms 33:4-5

Today I planned to write my book's next chapter titled, "The Blessings of Cancer." Hard to write on this day, but I know Deborah would cheer me on with, Don't let satan win this battle. You write the blessings, for we both know the blessings abound for those who know Christ and suffer with cancer. Deborah, I dedicate this day of writing to you and pray your blessings abound as I pray for healing in Jesus Name.

Jesus is our only Splash of Serenity on days of conflict. There is No Other Name by which we are saved. Thank You Lord, the Blessed Controller of all things, including our health and our death, for the glory of God!

A Different Kind of Elevator Pitch

The pretty girl, suitcase in hand,  backed herself into the far corner of the elevator. No one looked, No one talked, but I noticed  her tear-filled eyes.

As the elevator descended, tears fell on her cheeks. Her pain-filled face became more anxious with each opening of the elevator door.

My heart ached for her. How could I help this dear child in her trouble? Without another thought I spoke:

"I don't know what is going on in your life, but may I pray for you?" 

"Oh, yes" she whispered.

"Heavenly Father, I don't know what is happening in this dear child's life, but you do. I pray in the Name of Jesus that You  bring her comfort and peace. Lord, please give her wisdom for any decisions she must make. Guide her path and hold her hand. May she know that You love her and You care. Help her through these days I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

"Thank you for praying for me. My fiance got drunk last night and hit me. We've been together eight years. Our wedding is next summer. I'm leaving him and going home to my parents. Thank you for caring and praying. I need it."

"You are doing the right thing. Please be strong and don't go back to an abusive relationship. God has a much better plan for your life. I believe there is a man out there who will love you as you deserve."

And so we went our different ways. Yet, God bound our hearts  together in prayer for a moment in time.  If you think of her, please pray for her.

We live in a world of hurting people. As Christians may we not rush through the busyness of our days wearing blinders to the people God puts in our path who need our love, our care, our prayers.

Be ready. 

Be alert. 

Be looking.

Be a splash of serenity to people God places in your life today.

"Experiencing God's Presence — Learning to Listen While You Pray." A Book Review

 

 

Does God seem far away when you pray?

 

Does your prayer time seem more like sitting on a cold Santa's lap, going through your "I want" list, and scurrying away from the frightening man with the white beard?

 

Do you yearn for more from the Lord? Do you want to sense His presence and hear His voice?

 

Are you without hope?

 

In Experiencing God's Presence: Learning to Listen While You Pray, Linda Evans Shepherd leads the reader into the presence of God and allows your heart to beat with His.

 

Gentle, yet powerful, Experiencing God's Presence teaches using Scripture, Shepherd's personal experiences, and powerful prayers. Your life will change as Linda Evans Shepherd guides the reader into a deeper, more intimate, prayer time face-to-face with God.

 

Experiencing God's Presence ministered healing to my broken heart as I focused on Christ and His will for my life. No more do I shout out my "to do" list every morning. Now, I ask God what He wants to do with me and I listen with expectancy for His answer.

 

Experiencing God's Presence will transform your prayer life! Please buy this book.

 

BACK COVER: God wants to hear from you — but He also wants you to hear from Him.

 

What if every time you had a conversation, your best friend never got a word in edgewise? Your relationship would be less than fulfilling — for both of you! In the same way, a fulfilling prayer life is more than just regularly talking to God. And its more than checking items off a prayer list. God loves us so much that he wants us to draw close enough not only to talk but also to listen.

 

Now, from the award winning author of When You Don't Know What to Pray comes a bold and life-transforming book that will help you nurture a vibrant two-way relationship with God. Linda Evans Shepherd shows you how to develop a dialogue with God, continually seeking him and seeing him at work in your life. Steeped in Scripture and filled with personal stories of answered prayer, this book also includes sample prayers and action steps you can put into practice immediately.

 



 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Linda Evans Shepherd is an award-winning author, a successful speaker, and a radio personality. The president of Right to the Heart Ministries, she is the author of When You Don't Know What to Pray and When You Need a Miracle and the co-author of the Potluck Club books and the Potluck Catering Club series. She lives with her family in Colorado.

 

 

 Splash serenity into your prayer life and read Experiencing God's Presence,

 

 

 



Give Your Marriage a Massage!

Portions of today's blog post are excerpted from We All Married Idiots

 Sunday is National Pray for Marriage Day. So I ask you, when was the last time you prayed for your marriage?

The high divorce rate tells me that people aren't praying. They find it easier to give up on their marriage than to give their marriage to God. How sad. Could a simple prayer save a marriage. I know a prayer saved mine.

Imagine what your marriage would be like if instead of running to a lawyer you ran to God? What if you called out to God instead of shouted at your spouse during a disagreement? Would it make a difference? I think so.

We all want great marriages. But God wants to give us even more. He says in Ephesians 3:20, He "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine ... "

Married couples aren't asking or imagining or praying because if they were, the state of marriage would be more populated.

God doesn't want you to give up on your marriage. He wants to give you more of a marriage!  A marriage so amazing you can't even imagine it. Imagine that!


Ahhh—Prayer is like a marriage massage. Why don't we do it more often? Why do we wait so long to pray and to give our marriages to God? Why are we so quick to throw away what God wants to bless?

Let us stop being idiots (no offense intended) and begin praying for our marriages.


Happy National Prayer for Marriage Day! Let's celebrate and pray for our marriages! Will you begin today? Right now? Please pray and enjoy the splash of serenity God spills on your love.