At the beginning of our “Prayer Experience” on Saturday at the Priscilla Shirer simulcast, Priscilla implored everyone to stay engaged. Prayer time was not something to be glossed over in between worship and teaching, but it was “the thing” of the day.
She explained how they take prayer requests at each of her events. The requests tend to fall in a few broad categories. As she introduced each one, she asked for those that felt God had given them victory in that particular area to stand. Then, she asked for those with prayer requests in that area to raise their hands. Those with victory were to go to those with needs and pray for them.
The first category was marriage. If you know our story, then you know I stood up in victory through Christ. I was able to pray for my sister’s upcoming marriage and the marriage of other women from my home church.
She then asked for those that had found freedom from addictions—whether it be to a person or thing. Well, if you know why our marriage was struggling, then you know I had an emotional addiction to a person. I was again able to pray for my sisters in Christ.
She then mentioned finances which hasn’t been an area where we’ve struggled with yet. And then she asked for those that have been healed, whether physically, mentally or emotionally. I’ve written here about the healing of my hearing as a child and also just wrote this month about the healing and freedom of my mind.
I was almost laughing as I stood up so many times—probably more than anyone there. I giggled to my church friends, “I’m such a mess!” One replied, “No, you’re a testimony!”
And she was right. I’m so, so, so thankful he doesn’t leave us where we are. We should be eager to stand and give glory to God.
We were all so encouraged by what God had done for the women in the room. We clapped and celebrated and mostly didn’t even know one single detail.
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On Sunday, my dad finished a 100 mile race after 27 hours. For real. He was in extreme pain all over by the end and he declared it the hardest thing he’d ever done.
As I was working out at home during the beginning of his race, I was hating the mountain climbers I was being put through by the guy on the DVD. But then I remembered my dad at the beginning of his long race. Surely I could make it for 45 more seconds of mountain climbers.
As my dad’s race was winding down, my sister posted on Facebook, “My dad just finished running 81 miles. That makes my 30 min walk/jog sound doable this morning.”
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After this weekend, I was reminded how much we need someone to stand up and say, “Hey, I’ve been there and God brought me through.” Even if you aren’t going through something difficult, you are reminded how loving, how gracious our Father is.
I want YOU to write the rest of this post in the comments. It would be so encouraging if everyone could comment on a category where God has really worked in your life—marriage, addiction, finances, healing, salvation, etc. What is your story?
And, if you have a need, leave your category of need so others can pray for and encourage you.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Gal 5:1
I have DEFINITELY had lots of victory in my life over many different things, but the one that I’ve most carefully chronicled is God’s provision to us in our times of financial stress. Several stories are here on my blog http://www.katrinaryder.com/provision-stories/, but a recent one that I didn’t have time to blog is the following. Cool Provision Story that I don’t have time to blog. We are pretty strapped for cash lately (what else is new!?! amIright?). BUT we have friends who have been unemployed for 8 months, had multiple surgeries, massive septic problems, and basically had the financial crap kicked out of them. So in spite of the fact that we have a car that runs intermittently, an oven that shuts off randomly, and a grocery bill that is WAY out of control, this AM I just prayed God would provide for our car repair and STILL ENABLE us to help our friends somehow. Within the hour, I was paid double what I was expecting for a babysitting job. While I was just texting my friend all excited about that, there was a tap-tap on the door. Another friend and her husband got a bonus and wanted to share the tithe with us. She gave me a HUGE check. I MEAN WHAT!!!?!?!?! Honestly, I pray that God will provide for us all the time, but less often do I say, “God, help me funnel money to someone else.” This is what being poorganic is all about. Not some sort of pure eating lifestyle, but sharing God’s blessing with others by simple living.
Malachi 3:10
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Katrina recently posted…Angry Christians and Finding the Rest of My Faith
Your provision stories ALWAYS encourage me. Thanks for sharing.
We were NEVER people who thought we would foreclose. From the beginning of our marriage, my husband and I had no debt and a high credit score. When we decided to buy a house – at age 24! – we bought what we could afford. We knew we’d be moving in 3 years, but we’d at least break even that way.
Well, you know about 2008. It stunk. It especially stunk if you were trying to sell a condo in a neighborhood that was still being built. After several years of renting and paying both a mortgage and a rent, we foreclosed. And then we still had to pay them around $15,000 (bartered down from over $20K.) We found that out the same day I found out – surprise – I was pregnant with Joshua.
In all that, though, God has provided immeasurably more than I could have imagined. It truly taught me that my finances are in His more-than-adequate hand. I had very little if any attachment to our material things and choose to give generously as I am able rather than acquire more. We gave away a second car we didn’t need. We’ve sponsored several children. It is freeing and delightful. And I never would be here without the pain of going through foreclosure. I felt God tell me very firmly one night that if that happened, it would be so I could share my story with others. SO here I am!
Vanderbilt Wife recently posted…Boy Mom
It’s amazing how we can thank God for the trials when we have hope in him and his good plans for us. Thanks so much for sharing your story. You’ve encouraged me.