I've been so busy I can't believe it's been a month since I've blogged last! It actually seems longer ago than that! I'm "breaking the silence" briefly to emphasize something important I learned today.
Keep a prayer journal. Even when you're busy. Especially when you're busy!
A week ago, I felt so unbelievably overwhelmed by just everything - family and friends having surgery, stressed out, going through troubled times, multitudes of commitments, no time for anything, you get the idea. I decided instead of just praying for it all to write it down as a prayer list. I was shocked at the length of the list, but I did it and then prayed slowly down the list.
And you know what? I felt such PEACE when I was done. I gave it to the Lord and left it there with Him to worry about for me. It was as simple as that!
When we pray, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the enormity of the task at hand. This world is broken, lost, hurting - where do we start? It is tempting to just say generic prayers for everything - "we pray for all those hurting, sick, lost, Lord, you know who they are". Yes, He does. But WE need to pray specifically for one another.
WHY? It connects us with one another. How can we be His hands and feet if we are up against a nameless, faceless problem to pray for? I am more compassionate and less judgmental when I am praying for you by name. Perhaps more importantly, which is where the prayer journal comes in, we see how He answers our prayers when we pray specifically.
I had honestly forgotten that on my prayer list a week ago I had prayed for Hannah to be more responsible, until I re-read it this morning. There was no particular reason I had prayed that prayer now, I just felt that was a good step as she is growing older and becoming more independent, and that's something she's always struggled with. My jaw hit the floor as I saw that on my list today. Let me tell you why.
Out of the blue yesterday in the car, Hannah said, "Mom? I'm making an All Hallow's Eve resolution."
Me- "What??"
Hannah- "Well, I didn't want to wait until New Year's Eve and Halloween doesn't have the same ring to it"
Me- "Ok, what is it"
Hannah- "Mom, I want to be more responsible."
Me- "What brought this on?"
Hannah- "Nothing, I just want to be more responsible."
I'll tell you what brought it on- my prayer! I would never have remembered that if I hadn't written it down. Yes, God is at work whether I'm writing it down (or praying, quite frankly) or not. However, by praying, I'm part of it! I have a front row seat!
I would encourage you to try it. It's amazing how much we realize He actually does if we open our eyes, which for this forgetful mind means writing it down!
