The Eternal Struggle

Today I have been witness to the eternal struggle and it was tiring. It was not good v. evil but man v. boy and there were no winners.

My oldest son Jon is learning to drive. His father is teaching him. I'm getting a lesson in prayer. After a particularly brutal exchange I found myself making the Sign of the Cross. His brother leaned over and if Jon was really that bad. I told him no, but I was praying for patience--it isn't a strong suit in father or son. To make matters worse Jon didn't want to drive and his father is in pain from a back problem (worse since our accident 2 months ago) and a sinus infection. As father as his father was concerned today, Jon could do nothing right. I am so glad works dissipate quickly, otherwise when we opened a door, all those F words would fall out and embarrass me.

We drove to our favorite restaurant in Jeffersonville, IN for fish (a distance of 125 miles). The fish was excellent as always. Gideon was supposed to drive on the way back but it was getting dark and he was sleepy from eating, so he didn't drive.

This was a matter of placing things in God's hands. And I did that. Tomorrow I want a nice quiet day.

Thank you Father, Son and Holy Spirit for protecting us. Amen.

Prayers freely given here

I have been neglectful in posting my prayers but I'm trying. Yesterday I posted one to the Faith, Hope and Love RWA website--for my husband (severe sinus infection) and Mary McCall, a member of FHL and the new president of Hearts Through History (shoulder injury and personal trials.)

The title of this post came to me spontaneously and I'm taking as sign the Lord wants to me write about prayer.

I've struggled a lot with prayer. Fearful to ask for prayer because I don't want to burden others, yet it gives me joy to pray for others.There is no giant chalkboard listing how many prayers I prayed and now many times I asked for prayers and if I get too out of balance, I will be cut off for a while.  Its the old tic for tac philosophy but that is not very Christian. Jesus only requires you to believe in your prayers but that is hard also. But who am I not to follow his direction?

I searched for an appropriate scripture verse and the Lord led me to the following:

Matthew 21:22

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in PRAYER, believing, ye shall receive.

This pretty much sums it up but what was Jesus' purpose. Jesus has made his last (triumphal) entrance into Jerusalem for passover upon an ass. Feeling pangs of hunger the Lord searches a fig tree for its fruits. Finding none he cursed the tree causing it to wither and die. His disciples are astounded and question how he could do it so quickly. Jesus responded that by faith you can cause a mountain to move and cast itself into the sea.  (The full text is below.) He continues that if you have faith then your prayer will be granted.

Many times I question the efficacy of my prayers because so many are not promptly granted, but many times I'm astonished with how quickly my prayers are granted. The difference is me and my ability to believe. In other words, my faith waivers. I can pray for a mountain to throw itself into the sea, but I know inwardly there is disbelief in my heart. It is not because I don't believe the Lord can do it, but because I'm human and much too pragmatic to believe it 110%. It is not the Lord I'm doubting, it is me.

How do you build your faith to where you can overcome your pragmatism? You build it by studying the scriptures and reconciling yourself to God's words. You pray for guidance and wisdom. You build it by worship and fellowship. Surround yourself with things of the Lord. Wear a necklace, a ring, a pin that reminds you to be faith and trust in the Lord. As you learn to trust in the Lord more, you will lean less on yourself, and grow.

I want to offer a prayer for us. Dear Lord, we come as your children, asking you to lead us, teach us, and shelter us. We worship and adore you. There is nothing in this world that you can not do. Help us to lay our cares at your feet. We pray for healing of the sick, comfort for the infirmed and justice for all. Amen



Matthew 21:1-22

¹ And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

² Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose [them], and bring [them] unto me.

³ And if any [man] say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

⁴ All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,

⁵ Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

⁶ And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

⁷ And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set [him] thereon.

⁸ And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed [them] in the way.

⁹ And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

¹⁰ And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?

¹¹ And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

¹² And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

¹³ And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

¹⁴ And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

The Triumphal Entry
Matthew Chapter 21 : 1

¹⁵ And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,

¹⁶ And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

¹⁷ And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

¹⁸ Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.

¹⁹ And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

²⁰ And when the disciples saw [it], they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

²¹ Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

²² And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Prayer Petitions January 6, 2011

O' Dearest Heavenly Father, I praise thee and adore thee as Lord and Savior.

Thank you for the blessings you have bestowed on me and my family.

I pray for my husband, that he will live long and be pain free. Grant him your peace.

Please bless Jonathan and Gideon, Dear Heavenly Father. That their grades will improve and they will grow to be men in your service.

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that you bless and guide LoRee Peery peace and the ability to manage her writing time and networking/marketing time in a stress-free manner to bring honor to you.

I ask the Lord to bless and protect Chris, Leanne's grandson, Max Thornton, and all our service men and women. Keep them safe from the enemy so that they may return to their families.

I ask thee Lord to grant peace and compassion to Melinda Porter. Free her from those who would take advantage of her and help her to get published. Bless her family, Heavenly Father.

Help me to forgive Denise Pattison for the wrongs done me. Please enrich her life, Heavenly Father and protect her and her family..

Please touch and heal Mary McCall, that she will continue to be beacon for your love. Ease her pain and increase her joy.

I pray for you to pour out your love on country and guide our leaders in your pathways. Bless the poor and lift them up.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.