Posture of Prayer

This morning I awakened around 2 am, unable to sleep.  Rather than toss and turn and disturb my husband, I got up and began washing and folding clothes.  Our sons are away with their grandparents, so I used my youngest sons room to get my work accomplished.  While I was in the room, I began cleaning and purging the clutter that has been slowly overtaking his room.  It was a peaceful time for me, just to be alone with my thoughts.   In fact, my spirit  had been craving  this quiet space for some time now.  I turned on the television to watch a few episodes of Super Soul Sunday that I had recorded. (I love the DVR because I can playback a show without all of the commercials.)  The first show I watched talked about living with intention and not doing things just because you think that  is what you should do; but rather being purposeful in your decisions.  They also mentioned that when the little you (your persona) connects with the big You (the Spirit within you), how powerful you actually become. What great lessons to learn!

However my liberation came during the 2^nd episode. Oprah mentioned to her guest how powerful it was to know that a total stranger had prayed for her during her trial,  many years ago.  She was almost overcome, as she recollected the story.

It was at that moment that the floodgates opened for me. I realized that it was no stranger that had prayed for me; but rather I had my own angel for almost 42 years, who prayed for me and over me.  I can still hear her moaning in the Spirit as she would pray for the family, her friends, the community and people all across this nation.  Even after I became an adult and moved away, I could call her anytime of day and she would just start praying.

All I could do was sob, curl up in a ball on the bed and listen to the moans emanating from my own belly.  I was so thankful that God thought enough of me to have a mother that could go to God on my behalf.  Those thankful tears, quickly turned to tears of hunger.  Hunger to hear her voice again and feel her arms wrapped around me.  So the sobbing intensified. She used to say over the phone, get a pillow and squeeze really tight…that’s me hugging you.  I did just that to one of my sons’ teddy bears.  Once my nose was so stuffy that I could no longer breathe, I decided to get up and shower.  It was in the streaming of the warm water that I could hear God talking through the sound of Mommy’s voice in my ear.  It’s gonna be alright Girl, just pray! Your children will be fine…God’s got everything you need…I am still here with you…I am a part of you, so go forth and pray in your own power.  I transitioned, but my spirit is still very much alive.  Pray Baby-girl, God hears you!

And so it is that I now pray for you… (you can grab a pillow or just wrap your arms around yourself)

Lord I come to you this morning thanking you for your grace and mercy.  Thank you Lord for sending people into our lives to show us ourselves and to introduce us to You.  I pray for my brother or sister, who is reading this right now.  Help them to feel your presence in their life.  Allow them to open themselves up to the possibility that You have everything they will ever need; all they have to do is surrender their will to yours.  Help them to know that it’s in the surrendering of self that You show up! Thank you that you are a God that can meet us anytime and anywhere, whether it’s in the stillness of the night or in the chaos of the day.  Help them to walk in faith and not fear.  Thank you that the prayers of the righteous avails much (James 5:16) or more simply put… the prayers of the faithful are truly helpful.  Now as we close this prayer, thank you for allowing me to be the conduit through which someone might receive peace today.  Help them to pass the blessing on by praying for someone else.  In Jesus name, Amen!

Now go forth in prayer, as you walk it out!

Position yourself for Purpose

Have you ever been to a sporting event, like a basketball game?

Regardless of how many people that are on the team roster, only 5 players can be on the floor at any given time. Under normal circumstances, each of these five players plays a specific position with a different role.  The center generally plays closest to the basket on both offense and defense. He has to jump as high as possible for rebounds and needs to be able to defend against and block shots from inside.  The power forward is closest to the center in playing style, but is typically faster and slightly more athletic.  The small forward isn’t really small compared to most people; but he's usually the shorter of the two forwards on the team.  The shooting guard is usually the player that takes most of the shots. He needs to be an outside shooter, including from a three-point range.  The point guard is usually the best ball handler, dribbler, and passer on the team. He handles the ball more than any other player, generally bringing the ball down the court and initiating the offensive plays.

Sometimes there are individuals that can play more than one role, but in most cases the player is hired to carry out a particular function.  What if the shooting guard decided that he didn’t want to make those 3-point shots, but would rather play closest to the basket in the center's spot?  I’ll tell you what would happen, the team would be out of balance.  The 5 players on the floor would be at a disadvantage because they are no longer working as a cohesive unit, with each individual carrying out their particular function.  There is good news though! There is a coach on the sidelines that can see what the players can’t see. The coach draws up specific plays that best utilizes the gifts and talents of the individual, so the team can work effectively as a unit.

Well, life is just like that. We have been given very specific instructions from our Creator.  Instructions that are needed to carry out the purpose and mission of our lives.  God wired each and every one of us to fulfill our life’s purpose, but so many of us are living below our potential because we are simply out of place.  We have forgotten the specific place that God has already directed us to go.  He once whispered to our Spirits, the direction in which he wants us to go and what purpose our life is to fulfill.  Somehow, during the chaos of life, we have forgotten the mark of the Creator on us.  So we struggle with relationships, unhealthy lifestyles, mental stability, self-worth and so much more because we decided not to hear the voice of the Coach and began running our own plays.  I dare say it’s time to surrender to the will of the Coach and Creator.

I challenge you to reposition yourself, so that you can hear the voice of the Coach.  He is yelling plays from the sidelines trying to get you back on track.  As a coach, it’s not his job to run out on the court and run the play for you.  Only you can play the game; but you are most effective when you actually listen to the instructions of the coach and work your own skill set.

It is time to regain your rightful position as a child of God.  God has a plan for you that He’d like to share with you.  It is your decision whether or not you will tune out the shouting of the crowd and focus solely on His voice.   God is challenging each of us to reposition ourselves, so that we can live out our life’s purpose.

I hear the sound of the buzzer................let the game begin!