Thursday, April 23, 2009

Faith Shows Up in Fear


"Why don't we come together in agreement in prayer for you to be released from this pressure at work?" I asked an overwhelmed woman dear to my heart yesterday. She had ranted for 10 minutes that she was losing her mind at her job.




To my surprise she quickly said, "No, I'm not ready for that yet."




I was a bit taken back when suddenly I realized she KNEW God would move in her situation if we came in agreement in prayer. This young woman has been close to me for over 40 years. She's alive today because of answered prayer miracles in saving her life a decade ago. In the past she's seen God move to level some mountains hindering her life as we have prayed together.




I calmly replied, "Well, I love you and I agree this job is hurting your overall life. When you're ready I'll pray for God to release you by strengthening you to handle the burden or take you out of the job. Just call when you're ready."




Folks, that's faith!!! I hear many people flippantly say, "I'll be praying for you. Or please pray for me." I don't see them operating in any awareness of the power of prayer.




BUT this young woman called me off because of her faith in God in our joined prayers. She's still stressed to her eyeballs. She hates her job, except for the paycheck. She encouraged my faith by her caution. She wasn't quite ready for the rush of wind and the dramatic way God might answer our prayer. No, she wants to hold on to the side of the wall and steady herself for a move of God!!!




How's your faith? Do you stand in awe of the possibility of God instantly answering your prayers?








5 comments:

karen said...

That is so good. Too often, I stop myself from asking for prayer, or someone will offer to pray for me and I thank them for it, but I'm not really in agreement with them for the same reason as this woman - I'm afraid that God WILL answer and that I'll have to actually take action when he does. Sometimes, our miserable situation becomes so normal we don't know what we'd do without it.

I never thought to turn someone down when they ask if they can pray for me. It's an honest answer. Something to think about for sure.

Bradley J Moore said...

Isn't it interesting how we hold certain things back from God because we are not sure what He will do...
This was a very interesting post, a unique twist. Great writing, too.

Sarah Martin said...

Oh how I want my faith to grow. I want to see the instant answered prayers, and I believe He can do that, but my faith won't hang on that. I will still believe God no matter what.

Great thoughts!

PS,
Thanks for posting on my site today. I did not do the blog makeover, a great lady, Faith did. You can click on her link from my blog.

Have a great day. Hope work is going well!

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Wow! That's about all that comes to my mind! WOW! This was a great post today!!!

Marilyn

Annie said...

The changes that occur, resulting in miracles when the heart is opened to accept God's grace. This is a reminder to me that I have left the screen door of my heart cracked open and it needs to be wide open. I have taken it off so it never closes again. Thank you for your beautiful words.

© 2008 Kay Martin

Thrive In Christ

Who I Am In Christ by Neil Anderson

For several months we will center on this book to pursue Thriving in our Christian journey.

Neil challenges us with: "Do you know who you are in God's eyes? We are no longer products of our past. We are primarily products of Christ's work on the cross. Who we are determines what we do.

You are not who you are in Christ because of the things you have done, you are in Christ because of what He has done. He died and rose again so that you and I could live in the FREEDOM of His love."

That's just the introduction. More to follow.