Intentional: I Will Not Stop Praying

Stop Praying? No Way

My Word of the Year is Intentional. As I began looking for a verse that I might claim, I kept finding verses where messengers of God said, “But as for me…” I thought, “These people are intentional in their lives. I want that”. So we will start looking at these scriptures. I have some friends helping me out and they are already stepping on my toes.”

Have you ever looked at a prayer warrior and thought, “I could never pray like that?” Friends, you have the same power of prayer in you that she has. Please read on as my friend Bettie Gilbert explains and expounds on 1 Samuel 12:23

As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the Lord by
ceasing to pray for you. I will teach you the good and right way.

1 Samuel 12:23 csb

“How can you just pray about everything?”

I’ve had many people ask me that over the years. Often times they will follow the first question with
this thought:

And both of these questions have been asked just as often by Jesus-followers as by those not part of the Faith.

So what have I offered in response?

What is my answer to those who seek to place me in some
super-prayer category?

“Oh, my friend, it’s not because of me
that the words flow out unceasing.
No, it’s because I’ve found out
that HE really does listen to our cries.
I can pray because of WHO I lift those prayers unto.

“I love the Lord, for he heard my
voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his
ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.”

Psalm 116:1-2 (NIV)

When life has tossed me to the shore
like so much wasted driftwood,
When friends have walked away
and called me rejected and alone
When loss has cut so deep I thought
the gash would never heal
the only echo in my soul that found a home and Love Came from the One
who shed His blood And called me
fully HIS.

What of These Questions?

There was a time when those questions from my friends brought a sense of sadness to my soul. I felt they
were questioning me, and calling me “different” or “weird.” At other times, I could hear a sense of
separation in their voices, as if I was someone to put up on a shelf: nice, but out of reach for “normal” living.

But those feelings always shifted when I could give those friends the true answer. I have nothing special.
I am weak and lacking in my faith too. And as I walk this path of Chronic Illness, it has become even
more apparent that my praying is all because of HIM.

Does God hear us when we cry?

Is His heart ready to listen to our voice?

“The Lord is near to all who call on
him, to all who call on him in truth.”

Psalm 145:18 (NIV)

He, Himself, tells us that He is near to ALL who call to Him, asking honestly for His help.
There is no special language
or wording that He prefers,
only that of an honest soul
looking to HIM for an answer
to the cry.

And in my heart, the cry goes up for every one of my
friends. His love and His listening have compelled me to pray for them, and for you, as you read these words
today.

I would love to have you join in prayer here:

Bettie Gilbert

Other posts by Bettie

A Day in the Life with Chronic Pain with Bettie G

Awesome Scriptures that can Trigger “feel-good” Hormones

This Light and Momentary Pain

Bettie G’s Blog ~ Seasons