Forgotten prayers?? Don't stop praying!

 This week I heard a clip of someone speaking, and the basic idea is that there are prayers we have prayed so long that we feel that answer was "No"; so we have stopped praying it/them. (At least that we know of.)  He mentioned that he believed our spirit continues to pray about them, and it wouldn't surprise me.

It reminded me of the story in Luke 1: 5-22. It tells of the couple Zacharias & Elizabeth. It is his turn to burn incense in the temple, and while he's in there Gabriel visits him. The passage says that he and Elizabeth are well advanced in age, and then Gabriel tells him that his prayer is heard. I can almost imagine Zacharias. He is tending to his duties, he's older and the record states that he and Elizabeth blameless and walked in commandments of the Lord. I know that I would probably start mentally scrolling through the prayers I've prayed, so that is what I picture Zacharias doing.  I also believe that if an angel is giving you a message from the Lord, when he points it out it comes with a knowing of what he is speaking about. 

(Image pulled from Google)

Zacharias responds asking how, with the knowledge that he and Elizabeth are both old. It costs him the ability to speak for a while; but it doesn't keep the prayer from being answered.  Verse 22 tells us that the people perceived that he has seen a vision. 

This all made me think a bit...

1- Are there prayers that I prayed for a while, that I have not seen answered and I may have allowed to fall off my prayer list?

2- If I was told the prayer was going to be answered, how would I respond? 

3- If I had a vision/encounter like Zacharias did, would I respond like he did, or like Mary did? And would people know if I had experienced it?

I am reminded of two things, the passage Luke 18: 1a "One day Jesus taught the apostles to keep praying and never stop or lose hope." (TPT)  In The Message translation it says this, "it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit." 

This speaks to the thought asking myself if there are prayers I have "quit" praying.  If I quit, did I quit from being hopeless? Did I quit praying thinking the answer was "no"? 

(Image pulled from Google)

Today, I was watching a show and it showed a team being broken up from mis-trust seeping in among them. Then, the one team member that had left the group, disappeared. That person is captured is missed by the team, and they work off the book to search hi and low to find their friend. They go on a mission to the rescue. In this mission, they are willing to potentially die, to save this person. All the while, they are basically taking up time, because the team leader has been notified when they didn't check in, and is going to come in to save them all. The boss does what is needed and rescues his full team. It brought tears to my eyes- as I saw such a picture of the Father in this. 

My circumstances, or those circumstances I am praying about, may look hopeless and dire. When I pray, do I pray from in the right position? Do I pray until I get peace about it, or do I pray until there is no hope and quit or give up? 

This past weekend, I was in a class and reminded of the importance of finding a "Sacred Place", some people refer to it as a "Secret Place".  Is there a place where I meet with Him, not just to take my requests to Him; but to sit with Him, to hear His heart and get to know Him better? How do you get to know someone? You have conversations- you talk and listen.  

It is too easy these days to allow life to keep me running in a thousand different directions. It is easy to get sidetracked, it is easy to allow the phone, the family, the FULL schedule to shorten my time with the One that matters most, the One that loves me most, the One that gave it all for ME to get to know Him. What am I giving my attention to? What am I listening to?? When I was in the class, and we were encouraged to find the Sacred Place, the next part was very simple. "Sit down, shut up, and listen!" It was repeated a few times. This doesn't mean we don't bring our requests. This doesn't mean now speaking. It just means to spend time waiting for a response. In "praying through" we pray until there is a release. 

There is this verse, Proverbs 13: 12, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life."  In the Message it says it like this, "Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can you life around."  I've had those times where it feels like everything is going wrong over and over. I know that God has always come through for me and He never changes, so He will always come through. 

I am reminded of the chorus to the song by Matthew West, Don't Stop Praying.

"Don't stop praying

Don't stop calling on Jesus' name

Keep on pounding on heaven's door

And let you knees wear out the floor

Don't stop believing

'Cause mountains move with just a little faith

And your Father's heard every single word you're saying

So, don't stop praying".

He is my Father. I know that as a parent, I love to spend time with my children/grandchildren. I miss it when I do not see them for long periods of time, or when the visit is just too short. If I feel that way, I would think that He is, too.

Father, thank you for the way you remind me that You are always listening. Thank you for reminding me that just because I forget, or don't see answers, it does NOT mean that you have forgotten or not heard my prayers, it simply means I don't see all that is happening. Help me not to take for granted time with you. Help me to find that Sacred Place and the time to "Sit down, shut up, and listen" to all that you want to share with me, as I get to know You better and more closely. Thank you that You are still working on the prayers that I may have forgotten about and make me ready for any encounters You want to share with me, and help me to carry Your presence with me out to the people. Thank you!! <3 

Am I a crashing cymbal, or do I ring His voice to those around me?

Tonight, I watched a move from last year. I am not one that would normally watch a sad movie, or one that I know has parts that would probably make me cry. However, I am one that cries very easily... so, I decided to watch this one.

In the movie, I Heard the Bells, I was stirred... Longfellow's wife drew a sketch and left it in the window by his writing desk, and due to tragedy he stops writing for some time, so he doesn't see it for probably a couple of years. At the bottom of the sketch, she wrote the question, "How long will you sleep, my poet?"

It stirred something in my heart, though. 

In the movie, he didn't write for a couple/few years. He let his gift "sleep".  

What are things that can "derail" me?  Sadness, depression, hurt, frustration, all can. However sometimes it is as simple as life changes, not sleeping well, and they are just what I can think of, at the moment.

I am not saying I have been depressed- but I have been busy, the normal schedule I had been used to has changed up some, and a few other things. These can all be overwhelming. 

I enjoyed the times when I would sit and process through the thoughts from happenings during the day (or night. 

It has been too long since I sat down to do that. 

It has been too long since I have processed through thoughts I've jotted down.

So, watching this movie tonight they spoke about the church bell having fallen from the bell tower, and it is implied that the church bells are the voice of the church- or that was what I heard anyway. Then the thought was this... has my voice been ringing? Have I been the voice of the church? Have I been speaking words of encouragement and life? 

Jesus said that He only spoke what the Father spoke. Am I careful with my words?

Are my words filled with life? Do they encourage others? Do they build others up?

Psalm 141: 3 "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the doors of my lips!" 

Ephesians 4: 29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

Proverbs 18: 21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

Proverbs 16: 24 "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body."

James 3: 9-10 "With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."

Not only should I be careful of what I speak to others, but also to (and over) myself. My words are powerful and when I hear the words I am saying they cause a reaction in my body.

Like the words in Toby Mac's song, "Speak life, speak life, to the deadest darkest night; Speak life, speak life, what the sun won't shine and you don't know why; Look into the eyes of the broken hearted, Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope, you speak love, you speak... You speak life." 

Lord, forgive me for allowing the gift you have given me to sleep. Forgive me for allowing things to get in the way of speaking/writing what You are showing me. I ask that You do keep a guard over my lips, and not let any corrupt/empty words come from my mouth. Help my words to be words of life that will build others up. Help them to be words filled with life, that bring health to me and to others. I want to speak what I hear You saying. Thank you for helping me to be Your voice to those around me. 

What Am I Speaking Over Me?

Do you feel like while life is going on, some things seem to be on repeat? Maybe you feel like you are in a rut? Or like there are certain things that just keep on happening, over and over? I can relate, and I believe that many of us go through times like that. 

I was reminded this week of a truth that I have known before, and just needed a reminder of it again.

It all started with a video I saw on Facebook, that started out talking about getting a song stuck in your head. Have you ever experienced that? I know I have, and our son used to do his best to get "It's a Small World" stuck in my head as often as he could. However, he couldn't get the tune right, so it usually didn't work. (Whew!) 

The most effective way that I have had work the most often, is to sing another one. Occasionally, I have to be more persistent in the intentionality to replace the old, usually annoying, song with the new one. However, it is time for a new sound, a new song.

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(Image taken from https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/you-talk-too-much-8-words-for-the-wordy-and-talkative)

If I were to ask you to tell me about you, how would you respond? I know many would respond with what they do to answer that question. They would give their job title, their family status, their financial status; and some would even tell about their age, their health, their health status. I have been guilty of doing some of that before, even recently. I have heard someone say before that when the more mature people in his community, when he was a child, would ask each other how their "complaint" was. At that time, it was funny, but now it breaks my heart. BUT it also makes me think. 

What am I saying? What am I known for talking about? What do I say about myself? 

There are two voices over me that matter the most. The voice of the Lord and what He says about me. Then what I say about myself. What sound am I releasing over me?? 

I have heard a lot of other people's opinions of me, and the unkind words. They can form a song that I tend to repeat over myself. What does this do? It tears you down, and can leave me with the feelings of despair, and depression.  

I am reminded of a verse that was brought to my attention just a week ago. Psalm 42: 11- "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God." (NKJV)

When I find myself singing the old "song", or repeating the old words, repeating other people's opinions, or the negative. It is time for the "song" to change. Time to speak to myself, and remind myself that my hope is in God. It is time to remember the times that prayers have been answered, or that "troubles" have lifted. It is time to remember that God never leaves or forsakes me. 

It is encouraging to read the example of David encouraging his own heart, and it is a good thing to practice. So, I looked through the Psalms to see where else David sounded like he was encouraging himself, and I came across another chapter that is currently becoming a favorite. Psalm 103, I am going to type out verses 1 through 8. 

"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy." (NKJV)

The whole chapter is amazing, but as I read this passage, to me, it looks like David is again encouraging himself. Read the passage again just listen to it. I'm going to type it out again. 

"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits - This to me sounds similar to the above passage, where David is encouraging himself. But it sounds like it has maturity or experience behind it. 

Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies. - This is David reminding himself of the faithfulness of God throughout his life. He knows the Lord has been there to forgive him, to heal him, to keep him in the destruction, and tops it off with love and mercy! Great reminder!

Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. This reminds me of Isaiah 40: 31, right?! (But those who wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.")

Jesus calls Himself the Bread of Life. His Word is water to our soul- those are "good things", and they definitely satisfy.

The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. - God is not holding back. He is the righteous Judge, He is a Good Father, and He makes His ways known. Not just to Moses and the children of Israel- He shows us what He's done, and knowing what He has done, opens the door for it to happen again.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. - He is a good Father, one that you can run to when there is trouble. He is not the big meanie up there waiting to knock me over the head when I mess up. He is always cheering us on to do well. 

As I have taken the time to read through this passage, now two times, I notice that it has shifted my focus from me and mine, to Him and His. 

https://clipart-library.com/focus-cliparts.html

When I am focusing on me and mine, the scope of the vision is much smaller, and tends to see what is stressful, painful, or wrong. (Or at least what I perceive is wrong, plus I forget that God works everything for good, for those that love Him.)

When I am focused on Him and His, the scope of the vision is much larger, and tends to see what is good, and all that He has done. His love, His faithfulness, His mercy, as well as all the times that He has already come through.

Often songs speak to me in many different ways. And when they come to mind repeatedly it stands out.

So, as I was going through all the studying, and digging, for the message from these thoughts, there was a song that kept coming to me. I've heard it on the radio occasionally. It is called Counting My Blessings and it is by Seph Schlueter. And as I am typing out this post, I am reminded of the song from the movie White Christmas,  that Bing Crosby sings to Rosemary Clooney at the inn, called Count My Blessings Instead of Sheep.

I love the part of the first song that I was hearing then. It says, "One, two three, up to infinity, I'd run out of numbers, before I could thank you for everything. God I'm still counting my blessings, all that you've done in my life. The more that I look in the details, the more of Your goodness I find."

Too many times I find myself rehearsing, or counting out all that hurts in my body, or all that looks like makes it a "bad day", and what is the result- my mood is in the basement, and I am grumpy. 

When I find that thought pattern playing in my mind, it's time for a reset.  So I remind myself of some of the verses that speak what God says about me, like these:

    I am not the same because He has made me new.  (2 Corinthians 5: 17)

    God has not given me a spirit of fear. He HAS given me power, love and a sound mind. 

                                                                                                                                (2 Timothy 1: 7)

    I am His masterpiece, created to do good works He planned for me to do. (Ephesians 2: 10)

    I am grateful because He has qualified me to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints and because he delivered me from the power of darkness. (Colossians 1: 12-13)

    I am confident that He who began a good work in me, will complete it.  (Philippians 1:6)

Then remembering that "death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit" (Proverbs 18: 21), and "pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones." (Proverbs 16:24)

I want my tongue to speak life to those around me, as well as to myself. I want my words to be like a honeycomb that spreads sweetness to those that hear it. 

Speak this out loud, releasing it over yourself. I am loved, I am forgiven, I am healed, I am blessed, I am Yours! 

Lord, I am going to count my blessings, and thank you for each one! I remember the times You have been there for me, and with me through each day. I will speak Your Word over me and over those around me, and my day. I know that all You have brought me through so far, has helped to make me who I am today, and that process is not complete. I also know that You are Good, and that You never leave me or forsake me. You always work for the good in my life. I am here today, because of your love and mercy. Thank you!!

Release the Sound

Well, it has been too long since I have taken the time to process the things the Lord has shown me and write them out. Life has been quite crazy, and I have missed taking the time to "talk" it through this way.

 

This past week was a wonderful trail of nuggets from the Lord.

It started with waking up a couple of times to the beginning of a poem the Lord gave me at the end of June. Now, normally, when I get a poem, I write it, share it some, and keep it in a file. 

This poem I had a quick title that I gave it, but within a short time, I knew I needed to change it. 

Here is the poem:

Release The Sound

Do you hear it?

Do you hear it?

It’s a sound brand new, a sound brand new

 

From where is it coming?

From where is it coming?

From me and you, me and you

 

What is the sound, and what is the source?

The sound is growing, it is welling up inside

It is a sound that comes as our heart’s cry

It is a sound of praise & a sound of prayer

That is growing even louder in the saints

 

It is a cry of hunger for more of the Father

It is a cry to see more

It is a cry from His children

For the “more” that’s in store

 

It is a deep cry of love to the Lord God Most High

Knowing that more of my self has to die

It is the deepness of a “thank you” that seems hard to express

Knowing without Him, I would be a huge mess

His grace and His mercy have covered my sin

His love and His peace gifts I get from Him

 

This cry is two-sided

It comes from the deep

It comes as I learn more about You, my King

This sound it is growing in the heart of His Bride

As she longs to walk and be by His side

 

So let us respond as deep calls to deep

And let us release the sound that’s inside! – June 30, ’24, Mary Beth Powell

 

Then on Thursday morning, I was listening to Give Him 15, as I was having my morning quiet time, and Dutch Sheets read some dreams that Gina Gholston had sent him. There was a line in it, that reminded me of the poem, so it caught my attention. In her dream, it speaks about “a redemptive sound coming that will provoke a redemptive movement”. The minister that is speaking to Gina in the dream picks up a large rock and drops it in the fire as an example of what the movement will look like. He said that it would come “once the sound is released”. 

This really hit me…

 

What is the sound? 

 

The first thing I wanted to do was to check the definition of the word.

Webster’s Dictionary, online, defines it this way:

Noun

-    A particular auditory impression

-    A sensation perceived by the sense of hearing

-    A mechanical radiant energy that is transmitted by longitudinal pressure waves in a material medium (such as air) and is the objective cause of hearing

-    A speech sound

-    A meaningless noise

-    An impression conveyed

 

And then the definition of “release” from the same source is this:

 

-    Set free from restraint, confinement, or servitude

-    Let go

-    To relieve from something that confines, burdens, or oppresses

 

In many churches it is not uncommon to hear someone mention the phrase “Release the sound” or “release Your own song”, and often this happens during the worship time. 

Then while I was thinking about the definitions of it, different stories in the Bible started coming to mind. 

 

The story about the Israelites marching around Jericho and the walls coming down. 

      The Lord tells Joshua the plan. Israel is to march one time a day for six days around the wall of Jericho, and then on the seventh day, they are to march seven times around it. Oh- and they are not supposed to talk at all!  No sound until they hear Joshua give the order then they shout!! 

      This was two sounds… the sound of the walking/marching, and the sound of the shout! I can almost image the visible sound waves causing ripples in the air.

  The story of Gideon and his small army surrounding the enemy’s camp, with a sword, and a lit torch covered in a pitcher.

      Gideon had an army of 32,000 men, before the Lord had him use a two-step process to get the army to the size He wanted it. Then the Lord gave the battle plan to him. He and the 300 men surround the enemy camp. They are armed with only a sword, and a torch that is lit, but in a pitcher. At Gideon’s example, they break the pitcher and shout, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!”.

      This is a breaking sound, and a victory shout!

 

In 2 Samuel 5 after David has been made king, the Philistines have attacked, and David seeks the Lord. He asks if he should go up to battle, and the Lord says for David to go. He goes, gets the victory. Fast forward a few verses, and the Philistines are attacking again. Again, David seeks the Lord to see if he should go up to battle. He gets different plans from the Lord. He is to go down and around and wait for the sound of the wind in the top of the mulberry trees. Once he would hear that sound, David would know that the Lord had gone before him.

      David asked- God gave the sound- wind/angels in the top of the mulberry trees!

 

Hannah in the temple

      Hannah is barren and being teased by her husband’s other wife, that has had many children. They go to the temple for their yearly trip, and Hannah doesn’t eat with them, she goes to pray. Eli, the high priest, sees her moving her mouth but no audible sound. Her tears were her prayers, she prayed heart to heart with the Father. 

      This sound- tears streaming, falling. The Bible tells us that our tears are collected. They are prayers.

 

Prophesied in Jeremiah 15, and fulfilled in Matthew 2- 

      Lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more. 

      The sound- weeping, deeply felt painful sorrow.

 

Romans 8: 26-27

      “Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (NKJV)

      The sound- intercessory prayers so deep that we can’t speak words. It is deep groans, because the Spirit is moving.

 

Acts 2- the upper room.

      The disciples are gathered waiting for “the promise”. I am sure the buzzing sound there was some conversation, and some praying, and maybe some snoring, occasionally as they waited. Then in comes the sound of a mighty rushing wind, and there are tongues of fire over each head, and the new sound that they didn’t understand- but they were speaking in tongues.

      The sound- prayers, mighty rushing wind, fire, and speaking in tongues.

 

But then sometimes the sound is me, speaking to myself… David did it!

Psalm 42:11- 

      “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God. For I shall yet praise Him. The help of my countenance and my God.” (NKJV)

      “So, I say to my soul, “Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be disturbed. For I know my God will break through for me.” Then I’ll have plenty of reasons to praise Him all over again. Yes, He is my saving grace”!” (TPT)

 

So, for so very long, I have often always related “the sound”, to simply prayer, praise, and worship. I am now realizing that “the sound” is so much more.

 

It is my footsteps/walking.

It is my dancing.

It is my marching.

It is my moving/actions.

It is my breath.

It is my tears.

It is my speaking.

It is my shouting.
It is my groaning.

It is my singing/worship.

 

Father as I walk through each day, help me to hear Your voice, and to see what You are doing. Help me to move, to breath, to speak, to cry, to groan, to sing, or to do whatever it is to release the sound You have put in me to impact those around me for You! I want to make a difference in the lives of those around me for You, Lord. Amen.

(All images came from a Google search).