Pray and Ask BOLDLY

I am sipping coffee this morning, in my Rae Dunn Christmas mug, sitting on my living room couch under my Christmas thrift store, Restoration Hardware blanket (you didn't really think I paid that much for a blanket, right?) draped over my lap.  

Fox & Friends Weekend on silently in front of me.  The hosts broadcasting live from the Army-Navy game (go Navy, beat Army!).  I cue up my devotion(s) for today, and I get the post below.  Right on target and a lesson I have had to learn (the not-so-easy way) this Fall as our Country moved through another season of voting and picking the way our Country would and should be governed.

Praying isn't always easy, is it?

I love politics.  I love America.  I love God's Word.  The last two make the first one hard sometimes.

Right now, we have leaders in place that believe life does not begin at conception.  They don't believe a baby inside a Mother does have a completely unique set of DNA.  They don't believe the heartbeat at six weeks is real.  They believe biological men should be allowed to compete in women's sports.  They believe elementary-aged children should be allowed to explore gender options without parental interference.

There are just a few of the many moral issues that come at us daily.  How many of these issues conflict with God's Word?

Here in Georgia, I am struggling.

God's Word tells us that Abraham argued with God over Sodom and Gomorrah.  God's Word tells us Moses "argued" with God over Him using Moses as the Israelite's new leader.  God's Word tells us Jacob wrestled with God.  

So, we do have precedent that we can argue with God - try to get an Almighty being to see our point of view.  And so, I do - and I did.  In tears in front of the Cross more than once.

Why would God allow a man that claims to be a PASTOR preach from and lead one of the most famous Baptist and conservative churches in America?  Why would God keep allowing a man to serve in Congress that puts out commercials about his faith and his church when he openly stands in direct opposition to God's Word and thus His principles?

I don't know.

Why would God not allow a man that openly professes to follow God's Word not lead our Country?  Why would God not allow a man that uses Scripture to call out the false witness of his opponent to lead our Country?  Why would God not let a man that admits his sin and his fails in life but then professes how Jesus saved him and he is trying to live a better life now serve his country?

Gosh.  I have no idea.

In my humanness, I see two men.  One in direct opposition to God and His Word and one openly professing God, his personal salvation, and God's redemption for mankind.

So - when my personal prayers were not answered last month, I had to accept God's answer.  "God, here is what I want, but I will accept whatever answer you give."  "God, I don't know why you allow evil men to run a Country with so many of your people inside of it or asking you for Godly leadership, but I will accept your answer and understand I can in no way know your plans for America."

So many times in life, God gives an answer we don't like.  And that's just how it is going to be.  God doesn't always heal.  God sometimes says no.  Take a few minutes to read this devotional from Lysa TerKeurst this morning.  It may help you understand a little bit better.  I know it refreshed my soul this morning.

I will keep praying for America and Godly leadership to be reinstated.  I will keep believing God will restore America and remove the evil he has allowed to rise in leadership and power.  If He never does during my time here on Earth, I will still accept His answer and know there is a greater plan in place.

My purpose in this life is to read God's Word, follow God's Word, and live (to the best of my ability) according to God's Word.  That's it.  So, I will keep putting one foot in front of the other until I arrive at those pearly gates of Heaven.

It's Saturday, so that means a day of activity for most of us.  I hope your activity is positive and productive and you accomplish much.  Tomorrow, we rest.  Happy Saturday my friends.

Am I Scared to Pray Boldly?

Sometimes I’m scared to pray boldly in the way King Hezekiah did when the Assyrian army was knocking on Jerusalem’s gate.

It’s not that I don’t believe God can do anything. I do. I’m a wild-about-Jesus girl. Wild in my obedience. Wild in my adventures with God. After all, I think Jesus would rather rein in a wild stallion than kick a dead mule.

So my hesitation isn’t rooted in doubt about God. Instead, it’s rooted in doubt about my ability to discern the will of God. If his will is no while I am boldly praying for a yes, then I worry my prayers will get me off track.

Because I desperately want to stay in the will of God, I find myself praying at times with timidity: “God please heal my friend, if it’s your will.” I wonder why I don’t just boldly pray, “God, please heal my friend.” Then believe, whatever the outcome, that my prayers were not in vain.

I’m realizing prayer isn’t just about getting an answer from God. It’s also about changing me. It opens my spiritual eyes to see things I can’t see on my own and to see God in a fresh way. Praying boldly boots me out of a stale place of religious habit into authentic connection with God.

So prayer does make a difference—a life-changing and earth-rattling difference. We can kneel confidently and know the tremors of a simple Jesus girl’s prayers extend far and wide. This truth snuffs out the flickers of hesitation in my prayers.

What do you need to pray boldly about today? Go ahead and ask. Not so your prayers cause God to move, but so you can be in a position to see Jesus move in any which way he pleases.