Praying in the crossfire... and before

Yesterday was a glorious day. A Spirit-filled church service, followed by a drive out to the mountains of Clayton, Georgia for the annual district meeting of the United Methodist Women. Beautiful fall weather; great fellowship.

What a perfect day. Is it any surprise Satan chose that evening to slam me with two spiritual attacks?

Satan thinks his timing is clever. He messed up on this. Jesus moved in like a flash, both times, to get me through it. Why? Because I called out to Him immediately, trusted Him, and I prayed for those Satan was working through to get at me. They, in turn, became sources of strength when God moved powerfully within them.

Satan works overtime, looking for opportunities not just to attack, but also to distract. It's often the minor distractions where he is more successful, and for longer periods of time. When that doesn't work, he gets impatient and pulls out the big guns. He's efficient too: he will find a way not only to distract or discourage you, but to use others around you as well; it's his way of stopping the work God is doing in their lives too.

When it's those you love, it hurts. But it's also easier in those situations to pray for mutual forgiveness and Heavenly protection of your relationship. If you're prepared; if you pray in advance for God to intervene in those moments; if you pray intensely for your loved ones and the work God is doing in their lives; if you pray for God to urge you into prayer in those moments of attack, when you need His intervention... you will get through them quickly, and so will your loved ones.

What happens when Satan uses a stranger against you, or someone you don't find it as easy to love? It's no different: Prayer is the answer. Jesus tells us to pray for those who persecute us. (Matthew 5:44) I used to think this meant specific prayers for specific people. While I do pray specifically, I also believe in more open prayers for those around us, those we interact with in passing. If we know we are going to be out in the world, ministering to others in whatever way God has called us to build His Kingdom on a daily basis, we need to cover our activities in prayer.

As we do the work God has called us to do, we don't know who we will meet, or how they will react to us. But we do know Satan is working overtime among all of us. The more we work to build God's Kingdom, the more diligently Satan looks for ways to attack; if he can attack us in clusters, in one moment, so much the better for him.

What does that mean for us? The stranger who reacts most intently against you might be the one God is closest to reaching. The very moment of attack might be the moment God breaks through to them. They need your prayers. The situation needs your prayers. You need your prayers. God wants your prayers. Don't wait for that moment. Pray now and every day for those you will move among in this world.

Yesterday, we had a soloist in church who sang "People Need The Lord." You'll find the lyrics of this song many places. Read them, especially "On they go through private pain, Living fear to fear; Laughter hides the silent cries Only Jesus hears. People need the Lord..." (Phil McHugh, Greg Nelson, © 1983 Shepherd's Fold Music). Our pastor mentioned the song again in his sermon.

I knew God was speaking to me through those lyrics, even before I came under attack. So I wasn't surprised when this morning, I read the same lyrics again in The River Of God by Dutch Sheets. Talking about the great thirst in this world that only Jesus can satisfy, Sheets writes, "Don't let them fool you with their seeming disinterest" (p. 55, Renew Books 1998).

Remember, that disinterest, that facade, that antagonism does not come from God. But He will use it, as He uses everything, to reach a person, to let them know He paid for their sins, and to invite them to an abundant life here on earth and the joy of eternal life with Him. People, indeed, need the Lord, and they need your prayers.

When Satan seems to be working overtime in someone's life, even if that person is a stranger, realize that Satan might be going nuts because God is about to reach in and pull that person into His light. In that moment, you are in the vicinity - perhaps right in the middle - of a battle with very high stakes. Don't be surprised and don't be unprepared for the crossfire. Stop immediately and cover the situation with your prayers.

Don't wait for that moment, either. Start praying now, that in every situation of attack you encounter, even if you're just passing through, God will speak to you through the Holy Spirit and guide your thoughts, words, actions and prayers. Pray that He will reach in and remind you that what you are witnessing is a battle for everlasting life. A battle - and a war - He has already won.

Father, I thank You that we have Your powerful weapon of prayer, so that we can walk boldly through this world, build Your Kingdom despite the enemy's attacks, and stay connected to You in every moment, through every situation we encounter. You see the big picture, Father. Through prayer, we can see whatever piece of that big picture we need to get through every moment. Though the earth turns upside down, we can walk steady and certain, because You live in us through the sacrifice of Your Son. Through prayer, You renew our minds to accept Your Gift of Sacrifice and Your invitation to eternal life. Remind us, Father, to pray not just in moments of battle, but also to prepare for battles to come, knowing that You have already won the Final Victory. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Prayers along the baseboard

I'm too tired to write much tonight. Worked late last night, up early this morning, and out all evening with my church group. But I made a commitment to write here every day, so here I am. And I do want to make an observation about prayer from my experience this evening.

I was with a group from church, painting the inside of the new church building we're expanding into. Of course, it was a fun experience, and it's great to see the new building take shape. More than that, it was another reminder of the importance of prayer.

There I was, brushing white paint along the baseboard, trying very hard to stay within the lines. No small feat - I was one of those rebellious kindergartners that always insisted on adding my own outlines and unique shadowing to my crayon masterpieces, much to the dismay of my teachers. But I was doing all right with the baseboard paint, concentrating very hard, thinking about who would walk around in this room years from now, stand there, maybe lean against the wall, share their burdens and joys with each other.

I felt the overwhelming urge to pray.

I had prayed when I first entered the building, prayed as I walked around in each room and looked at the various stages of progress. That wasn't enough. So I started to pray with every brushstroke, breathing the Holy Spirit into the baseboard, up along the doorframe, out into the room. Felt Him sweep through and settle in every corner, permeating the air, filling the place to overflowing with God's love. Every inch, every drop of white. Praying. God's Spirit. Love.

What an awesome blessing to experience God's presence and His love that way. Communing with the Holy Spirit, with people I might not know, might never see. Prayers for comfort, peace, safety, Salvation... praises too... whatever needs and joys will enter that place in future days... lifting them up with every brushstroke. All the way around the room.

The place was already filled with prayer, long before I arrived. The pastors, the congregation... everyone has been praying about this church expansion. The new building - actually an old building, a converted steakhouse - is overflowing with the Holy Spirit.

How wonderful to become a part of that. To lift my silent prayers to God in that loving space. To become one with the Body of Christ. To paint God's love into the room. And to know that the presence of the Holy Spirit will surround all who enter that place in days, months and years to come.

All because of prayer.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible blessings You have given us, including the blessings of church growth and the gift of a new place where we can worship You. Be with Your people as they gather in this new building, and as they reach out into the community and draw others in, closer to You. Fill the place to overflowing with Your love.

Just as we often feel the history of a place, let us pray the future of this church into this new place, that all who walk through the white-trimmed doorways will be filled with Your light and shine brightly for all those around them. Thank You, Father, for the gift of prayer, our connection with You in every moment, every breath of life. Most of all, thank You, Father, for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. It's in His name we pray. Amen.

May God Bless you this evening and always.

God is already listening

I'm a hypocrite. After impressing on my advanced workshop writers the importance of daily blogging, I proceeded to ignore my own blog for what... two months now? Sure, I've got plenty of excuses. Good ones. If I shared even one or two of them with you, your response would be, "Janet, stop beating yourself up."

While I didn't write in this blog over the past two months, and I hardly wrote any devotionals during this tough stretch, I did continue to pray. A lot. And God, in His love and mercy, answered every single prayer.

You know what? Even if I hadn't continued my prayer life the past two months, I could have picked up and started again, right now. Just as I'm starting this blog again.

I know the writers I've lectured to about keeping up with their blogs will forgive me for not keeping up with mine. They're really nice people! Even more so, God forgives us when we forget to communicate with Him. Or when the excuses pile up, and we're so busy dealing with our problems that we neglect to turn them over to The Problem Solver.

The moment we turn our thoughts and words to Him once again, He welcomes us back with joy. Luke 15:20, in my opinion, isn't just about those times when we might wander off to a far country and turn our backs to God. It's for every moment we lose our connection with Him. As soon as we turn back and call out to Him in prayer, the Father runs to us. Arms wide open. Ready to hear us, to respond to our needs, to bless us as His beloved children.

Guess what? He already knows when you are going to bring your heart before Him in prayer. He waits anxiously for those moments - no matter how much time has passed since your last conversation. How's that for unconditional love? Our Father treasures every moment of conversation with you.

When was the last time you had a heart-to-heart with God? It doesn't matter if it's been months, years... or so long you can't recall if or when you had an honest conversation with Him. Talk to Him right now. He's there, listening already.

Just waiting to bless your life to overflowing.