Don’t Panic … PRAY!!

Scripture: Philippians 4:6 NKJV - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Recently, I heard a miracle story. A pastor’s daughter woke up abruptly because she was having an asthma attack in the middle of the night. The Holy Spirit woke her mother up at that time so that she could tend to her. When mom realized what was happening, she called out to dad and told him to call 911. Before long, dad told mom that their daughter was “gone”, she had not been breathing for a while and showed no signs of recovery. During the incident, one of their sons came looking for Mama. When he asked where Mama was, all the other siblings pointed to the closet. That’s where Mama was … in the closet … praying! While everyone else was panicking, Mama was praying!!

During her time of closet prayer, the mother said God reminded her about the Shunammite woman. God said He would do for her (the mother) what He did for the Shunammite woman (see 2 Kings 4:32 – 35). AND HE DID!!! The daughter recovered 100%, is now a 23 – year – old college graduate that owns her own company. God did exceedingly abundantly above ALL they could ask or think … according to the Power – stop right there! You know the rest! (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Sometimes we panic when all we have to do is pray! I’m not talking to you; I’m talking to myself! Right in the middle of me writing this devotion, a trial came. What did I do? I panicked, got distracted, did everything a child of God shouldn’t do. I asked others to pray for me before I even sincerely prayed for myself! Now the issue isn’t fully resolved yet but as I pray, I ask for His wisdom. I am taking baby steps in learning to trust Him more and more – that’s growth! Growth is important in life, especially in the Christian walk. With each trial God allows in our lives, He wants us to keep growing. He wants us to keep coming to Him, keep crying out to Him for help. Keep asking, keep knocking, KEEP PRAYING, keep believing! Keep doing all the things He’s taught us to do in His Word. His Word is true, it cannot lie. HE cannot lie!

You see, He knows what we are truly capable of ... as He should! He made us and He knows all about us. He knows us better than we will ever know ourselves. For that, I am grateful! Just knowing that even in my sinful ways of doubt and panic, He will never leave me nor forsake me. He will not put more on me than I can bear. In His time, in His way, He will deliver! He’s better than Door Dash, Uber Eats, Grub Hub and all those other delivery services. He is always right on time and does all things well! If I lean not on my own understanding and acknowledge Him in all of my ways, He WILL direct my path!! That’s better than Google Maps, GPS, Waze and any other navigation system. God is all that and then some!

So pray, pray, pray and then pray some more! You should talk to God as much as you can …  as much as you need to. He loves hearing from you, no matter what we are going through. Always give Him your full undivided attention and also sit before Him and be still so you can hear from Him too; it goes both ways. Tell Him your heart’s cries and submit them to Him. In time, you will see Him turn your mourning to dancing and give you beauty for ashes. Remember, He is able!!

Prayer: Father, You are all – knowing! You are immutable – You never change! Thank You for loving me as only You can! Even when I am unlovable, You keep on loving me! Thank You for keeping me … even when I didn’t wanna be kept! Thank You for protecting me … not just from others, but from myself and my own stinkin' thinkin’! Help me remember Who You are and Whose I am! Help me to rest in Your promises for me! Help me to trust that You know what’s best for me, even when I can’t see it! Thank You for being such a good, good Father! That’s Who You are!! And I’m so glad You chose me to be Yours! In Jesus’ Name I pray … AMEN!
(by Cassaundra Turner)