http://simplereflections-melissa.blogspot.com/2008/07/encouragement.html2 Power of Prayer
Along with the importance of God's Precious Promises to encourage me, I find equally important the power of prayer. I am going to share a personal struggle I dealt with a few years back (and still have from time to time but not nearly as severe) -- panic attacks (or some call them anxiety attacks). When I initially started having them, I thought I was going to die -- and to be honest, at some points I wanted to die. It was very scary. My husband and I couldn't figure out the "Why's?" in all of it. It put a strain on our home. It was a very trying time for us. Once I put all (here's that word again) P-R-I-D-E aside and I began sharing my struggle with other ladies and asking them to please pray for me, I began to experience those attacks less and less. I had some dear friends who e-mailed me with Scripture references; I received cards with Scripture in them; just little gifts of encouragement - one that sticks out to me is a book a lady gave me entitled "Growing Weary Doing Good" an excellent book. (Thanks Karen AGAIN); phone calls came with a lady on the other end willing to pray with me to help me through the day. Do you know what I concluded? God's Word is powerful---and God STILL answers prayer. I give GOD ALL the glory for getting me through those times (and still getting me through those times when I struggle) but God uses PEOPLE!
Do you allow the Lord to use you to encourage others? I am so thankful for those who prayed for me, took the time to send me a card, called or e-mailed me. We need one another, ladies!
Not only is it encouraging to see my prayers answered, but how encouraging to see those for whom I've been praying for--their prayers answered!
(IT'S YOUR TURN)
1. Make a prayer list
2. Pray faithfully over each prayer request
3. When a prayer is answered, highlight that prayer so you'll know it's been answered and put a date by it.
How can we receive a blessing from a 'prayer list'? You will be encouraged when you see at the end of the day, week, or it may be a year or longer--to see GOD STILL ANSWERS PRAYER! Don't forget, ladies---it's HIS PERFECT timing--not ours! So don't give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am just so devasted on how many marriages (within the church even) are just falling apart. It just breaks my heart. I guess I have a big heart for those ladies going through separations/divorce because I have nearly been there myself...before my husband got saved. I remember the hurt, disappointment, frustration, just feeling worthless, not understanding "WHY ME?"...but I do know that through that time I consistently prayed for my husband. Oh, there were times I wanted to give up because at one point (near the end right before he got saved and the Lord turned his life around) it literally seemed the more I prayed the worse the situation got. I remember one night literally just at the point of giving up on him and it was like something just told me to keep praying. I am his wife...who else is going to pray for him like his wife. So I kept praying and am I forever grateful that I did. Isn't it wonderful to know that once Christ comes into a home...HE makes all the difference? KEEP PRAYING, ladies! Don't give up!!
Tomorrow we will look at #3 People
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