Tag: prayer

How to Embrace a New Season of the Heart: Take Steps and Rest

Jeannie Waters18 Comments on How to Embrace a New Season of the Heart: Take Steps and Rest

 

In Georgia, we moved from early Spring to, as we say around here, pollen season. Although the heavy coat of mustard-colored powder required me to clean my deck and car, pollen serves a purpose. It signals a time of bees, butterflies, and more flowers. Like Spring, every season is beautiful, a creation of God—in nature and in our hearts.

I needed to repeat the wash-off-nature’s-pollen chore several times, and the freshness led me to the next step—replacing the deck pillows, potting colorful annuals, and moving my quiet time moments from inside to outdoors.

Now, in late Spring, I’m wondering how God will lead me in this new season of the heart. He promises to continue His work in believers (Philippians 1:6). I don’t want to miss a single step.

God promises to continue His work in believers for every season Share on X

Sometimes direction means move, take a step. Sign up for the Bible study class, send a card, or put the soda down, girl, and drink more water (Maybe that’s just for me).

Other times, the next step is pause, sit down, be still, listen.

If you’re in a new season, perhaps lessons I’m learning will help you.

My lessons include action steps—to follow clear commands in Scripture and to spend quiet, still moments to pause and absorb truths from His Word as I wait for His direction.

The combination of action and quiet reminds me of a spring walk in a pretty wooded area.

Walk.

Breathe.

Pay attention as you go.

Sit on a trail bench and rest.

Listen, soak it in, absorb the moments, and rest to prepare for the next section of the trail.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV

Your turn

What lessons have you learned about following God into and through a new season?

For any season

For every season—and every day—God gives us the gift of His presence. What joy to pull up a chair to His table each day and spend time with Him in prayer and Bible reading. Time spent with God equips us to honor Him and pass along blessings to others.

My book, A Place at His Table: God’s Daily Gifts to Satisfy Your Heart, includes stories that occurred at a table. Each one leads to biblical truth about a particular gift from God, such as acceptance, help in trials, and rest. There are also fun Table Tips at the end of each devotion.

Readers have purchased copies of A Place at His Table, applicable to any season, for birthday, hostess, and get-well gifts, and for an inspirational summer read.

Here’s the link:  https://amzn.to/3qTTt0k

If you’ve found blessings in my book, please consider leaving a brief review. If you’ve already left one, thank you.

Three Ways to Navigate Difficult Days

Jeannie Waters41 Comments on Three Ways to Navigate Difficult Days

                                                                                                            

My leg muscles screamed in protest as I gasped for breath and pulled myself upward to the next rest bench on the mountain trail. I promised myself, “Girlfriend, you WILL be in better shape next year!” Can you identify?

For several years, our family of four participated in a volksmarch, a German term for people’s walk. Beginning at the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail near Helen, Georgia, we walked only five kilometers, but with steep inclines, the distance seemed much further. At the finish line, with relief and perspiration, we accepted our medals as family tradition mementos.

Do you have days that feel like an arduous walk up a mountain while others resemble a leisurely stroll? I do. On those troublesome days, challenges can feel like rocks in our backpack, slowing progress and discouraging us.  

The verb walk in the Bible describes the daily life and behavior of one who has surrendered her life to Christ.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.

Colossians 2:6 ESV

                 Paul prayed believers would “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10 ESV). How can we navigate life’s challenging times as believers and continue to bear fruit? Consider the following:   

Three Ways to Navigate Difficult Days

1. Look for markers in the Bible.

On the Appalachian Trail, arrowed signs pointed the way and prevented error when undergrowth obscured forks in the trail. The Bible is like a collection of markers, guiding us in God’s way. Bible study steadies and steers us and prepares us to face the trials of mountain trail days. Writing and decorating a verse may help you commit it to memory.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105 ESV

2. Lean on the Lord in prayer.

My walking stick worked like a lever to push me up the mountain when weak muscles faltered. Communication with God in prayer strengthens us when we meet roadblocks and encounter difficulties. Having an ongoing prayer conversation with God throughout the day helps us enjoy His presence and yields His peace and wisdom to bolster us to the next level on the journey. He knows the future, and we can trust Him with today and tomorrow.      

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6 ESV

3. Listen to trustworthy Christ followers.

Although I read the signs and used a walking stick, I also needed my family’s encouragement, and at some points, a literal push over the next ridge. Truth. Asking for help can be humbling, yet other Christians can remind us of biblical truth and the fact that God is always with us, even on hard days.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

            How is your walk today? Perhaps printing the verses above on cards or typing them into a phone app will help in troublesome times. When a day’s journey feels like a steep mountain hike, turn the day into an adventure with God by searching for His direction in the Bible and in prayer as you seek encouragement from fellow hikers.

Now it’s your turn

What helps you on trying days?  

Remember to Pray

Jeannie Waters28 Comments on Remember to Pray

What an honor to share my site today with my friend and author, Carla G. Pollard. I know her story and wise words about remembering prayer requests will brighten your day and encourage you. You’ll find her photo, bio, and links to her website and social media below. Please check out the beautiful writing on her site.

Here’s Carla.

She had a joyful expression as she navigated towards me through the crowded foyer of our church. As women’s ministry leader, I had a responsibility to learn the needs of others, and I had spent time with Jenny discussing hers.

“I want to thank you for praying for my husband,” Jenny expressed as she reached out to shake my hand. “He finally found a job last week. He starts first thing in the morning.”

I strained a smile and nodded as she turned and headed out the door.

Conviction pierced my heart as the memory of her plea for prayers came flooding back. I had forgotten her need. I didn’t pray for her husband. Until she thanked me, I hadn’t even remembered her request.

Dear Lord, please forgive me. I did not hesitate one moment to send up an earnest cry.

Please help me remember the needs of those around me, especially if they ask for my prayers. Please forgive me for letting Jenny believe I had prayed as she had asked. Help me fix this.

It had happened before, forgetting prayer requests. Guilt settled over my heart like a dark cloud.

Just leave it with God and try harder next time.

But I found little solace in my uninspired advice. I knew I would not find relief from this burden until I spoke to Jenny again.

Over the next week, as I sought wisdom on approaching Jenny with my failure, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane the evening before He faced death on the cross. Jesus agonized for us. His burdens were so great His sweat poured out as great drops of blood. During this prayer vigil, He sought the help of His disciples, but they proved weak in their flesh. I had been like those disciples, weak in the flesh by forgetting her need.

At the next week’s service, I swallowed my pride and faced my failure.

“Jenny,” I found her sitting off to the right of the sanctuary, “I must confess something to you; I forgot you asked me to pray for your husband’s employment. I don’t deserve any thanks. I want to ask you to forgive me.”

She responded with grace and gratefulness. She was happy her prayers were answered regardless.  We hugged as we acknowledged God knows what we need and meets our needs.

God taught me a valuable lesson through my experience with Jenny. I know how much I depend on the prayers of others and how much others depend on mine. Bringing the needs of family and friends to God in prayer is a privilege that brings greater love and understanding in our relationships with one another.

Bringing the needs of family and friends to God in prayer is a privilege that brings greater love and understanding in our relationships with one another. Share on X

Sometimes, our busy lives squeeze out the memory of spoken prayer requests only to fill us later with conviction and guilt when we realize our omission. A friend once said to her teenage son who justified his lack of responsibility with his failing memory, “But you didn’t do anything to help you not forget.” From my encounter with Jenny, I realized I needed a strategy to help me remember. The Lord gave me PRAY.

Have there been times when you have forgotten prayer requests? If so, remember PRAY. These four steps will help you not forget when you are asked to PRAY:

P: Remember what a Privilege it is to pray for others.

R: Pray Right then with the person, if appropriate.

A: Access your App and set a reminder or make a note in your cell phone or on a note pad to pray.

Y: Then, when you pray, Yield your spirit to God’s and Yoke your heart with His.

I sense God’s presence with me when I use these four steps each time I am asked to pray. Through my heartfelt petitions for others, I find renewed strength to face my own problems with hope and purpose. I know you will too when you PRAY for others.

 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Acts 2:42 ESV

Please share with us how you remember the prayer requests of others or how the prayers of family and friends have blessed you.

Carla G. Pollard

Carla G. Pollard is an author and teacher. She loves people and desires to see them reach their full potential through a vibrant relationship with Jesus. She is active in her community and is a shoulder-to-shoulder leader who ministers to the homeless, the imprisoned, the abused, the elderly, and infirm. Her works have appeared in Prayer Connect, CBN Online Devotions, P31 Woman, Power for Living, The Bible Advocate and Together with God. She is a contributing author in Unimaginable: Finding Love through Pain and Sustaining Life’s Victories. Her inspiring messages resonate strength and happiness birthed through pain and sorrow. Carla’s motto is: Be faithful to Jesus; He’s faithful to you.

Carla invites you to connect with her through her blog at www.carlagpollard.com and on Facebook, and Twitter.

Here’s another post about remembering prayer requests.

Eight-Strategies-for-Remembering-Prayer-Requests-

Incorporate Four P’s into a New Season of Learning with God

Jeannie Waters24 Comments on Incorporate Four P’s into a New Season of Learning with God

Although I chuckled at my kindergarten students’ responses, I counted their eagerness to listen as a predictor of learner success.

Years ago, I’d designed a lesson on evaporation. The five-year-olds noticed the water level in our uncovered classroom aquarium was lower than usual. I asked, “What do you think happened to the water?”

Stacey guessed I’d scooped some out, and Adrian asked if the aquarium had leaked. Then Brian bounced up and down and yelled, “I know, I know. The fish drank it.”

Stephanie folded her arms and said, “No, they didn’t, Brian. Mrs. Waters, tell us what really happened to the water.” Twenty-five little wiggly bodies paused, tilted their faces toward mine, and waited for an answer.

What if we began each day, hearts tilted toward Jesus, our Teacher, with the enthusiasm of my kindergarten students?  

At this time of year, students and teachers prepare to meet new challenges. Each season of learning requires an eager mind set and determination to discover truth.

You and I may not enroll in a class this month, but when the sun rises each morning, new opportunities unfurl to delight in God’s presence and marvel at His lessons. Filled with enthusiasm for learning, we can ask God to transform our hearts as we study the Bible.

When the sun rises each morning, new opportunities unfurl to delight in God’s presence and marvel at His lessons. Share on X

Let’s pray each morning with the psalmist,

Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.

Psalm 119:18 NKJV*

Are you ready for a new season of learning with God? Sharpen your pencils and note any verses or ideas below that resonate with you.

Four P’s for Eager Students of God’s Word 

1. Pray.

We can ask God to teach us what we need to learn. He may remind us of a lesson we’ve forgotten, lead us into deeper study of a familiar passage, or show us verses we haven’t studied before. I like to pray words of Scripture like these:  

Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation. On You I wait all the day.

Psalm 25:4-5

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.

Psalm 143:8

2. Prepare your heart.

Receptive students who understand the relevance of a lesson learn best. When we humble ourselves and admit our need for God’s daily guidance, our hearts open to His teaching. He promises to forgive confessed sin and instruct us.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

Psalm 32:8

3. Position yourself to listen.

Jesus’ followers and curious bystanders gathered to listen when He taught on the hillsides. Surely, their homes and occupations held numerous tasks, but they paused and positioned themselves to hear Jesus speak.

When Jesus visited the home of Lazarus, Martha complained about Mary’s failure to help with meal preparation. Jesus honored Mary’s choice to sit at His feet and listen to His teaching (Luke 10:38-42).

Mary, the disciples, and the hillside crowd shouldered daily responsibilities like we do. The stance or location matters not, but we each need time to meet with God. What’s the best time and place for you?

4. Ponder biblical lessons you learn.

Meditate on the verses or passages you study and record in a journal what God teaches you. Ask Him to transform your heart with His Word.

James 1:22 reminds us, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only.”

Ponder these questions:

  • How will I obey His words and honor Him today?
  • How will my walk with Jesus change because of this passage?
  • In what ways will my study lead to a more victorious life with Christ?
  • Armed with Truth, how will the Light of Jesus shine from my life this week?
  • How will the sword of the Spirit, God’s Word, help me fight spiritual battles (Ephesians 6:11-17)?

Are you ready for a new season of learning with God?

Let us hear from you

Won’t you contribute to our “class discussion?” The Bible says, “Iron sharpens iron,” to remind us we need each other.

What makes you eager to learn from God? How do you tune your ears and position yourself to hear from Him each day? We’re eager to hear your answers.

*All verses are taken from the NKJV.

Would you like to pray for students and teachers as they begin a new school year? Here’s a former blog post on the topic: https://jeanniewaters.com/blog/three-ways-you-can-influence-the-lives-of-hundreds-pray-for-schools-in-your-community/

Eight Strategies for Remembering Prayer Requests

Jeannie Waters32 Comments on Eight Strategies for Remembering Prayer Requests

My Indy 500 day blew past like Dale Earnhardt. I looked at the clock. “Oh no! It’s 3:00. I completely missed my daughter’s exam time.”

I’d always promised to pray for her study time and success on final exams. This time, however, I neglected to fulfill this important responsibility.

Have you ever promised to pray for someone’s broken heart or surgery or job interview and then realized later you’d forgotten? We mean well, but our memories sometimes fail.  

In my teen years, I often voiced prayer needs to Pam, a mentor. She would respond, “Let’s pray now. I don’t want to forget.” Her statement emphasized the responsibility of receiving a request and the importance of lifting it to our heavenly Father.  

The Bible teaches,

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Colossians 4:2 ESV

Paul commended fervent prayer,

Epaphras … greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

Colossians 4:12 ESV

Do you use memory aides or organizational techniques for important responsibilities like prayer? Methods for remembering the needs we notice can help us honor the privilege of communicating with God on behalf of others.

Methods for remembering the needs we notice can help us honor the privilege of communicating with God on behalf of others. Share on X

I hope you can use or adapt one of the strategies below.

Eight Strategies for Remembering Prayer Requests

1. Listen attentively to requests.

Establish eye contact and listen carefully when someone requests prayer. Ask an appropriate question or repeat the need to enhance your memory. When the ladies in my email prayer group read a request, they often ask a clarifying question and inquire later about results. This practice encourages believers and reflects the love of Christ to those who have not yet met Him

2. Seek God’s help.

Ask the Father to remind you of requests and lead you to an applicable Bible verse to use as a prayer springboard. On busy days, we sometimes hear His whisper in our minds and hearts reminding us of the need to pray.

3. Organize an index card file.

A simple file box with index cards and tabs can categorize requests and provide space for recording answers. Some requests are long-term and may require multiple cards. When I used this method of memory prompts, I enjoyed reviewing the cards in the “Answered Prayer” section which demonstrated God’s faithfulness.

4. Create a prayer journal or notebook.

A small loose-leaf binder can house dividers labeled with days of the week or categories like family, neighbors, church, missionaries, urgent, and government leaders. I currently use this system with a tab for each day of the week. Before the first divider, I added sheets labeled “Week of ___” to which I add Monday’s date and requests specific to that week.

5. Use sticky notes.

For urgent situations or daily reminders, affix colorful sticky notes to the refrigerator, a mirror, computer, key chain, or steering wheel. A friend once wrote a reminder note about praying for our family’s concern and placed it on his office shelves. Each time he sat down at his desk, he saw the note and prayed. Assurance that our need was being lifted to the Lord calmed our hearts.

6. Set a timer or a phone alarm.

When requests are time-specific, use of a timer or phone alarm may help. Today, while concentrating on writing, I’m praying for a friend’s health as she travels with airline delays and for family members on a lengthy road trip. My phone alarms cue me to continue prayer support throughout the day.

7. Design a bookmark.

Record a long-term request on a bookmark. Add an appropriate verse and insert it into a book you’re currently reading. You could write the same verse on an additional bookmark and mail it to the person you’re praying for with an encouraging note.

8. Construct a small table tent.

Write prayer reminders on stiff paper, fold tent-style, and place on the coffee table or beside your spot at the dinner table. Change the location from time to time to ensure the tent catches your eye.

When the minutes in your day fly by with race car speed, perhaps one of these strategies will bring prayer requests to mind. Although communication with God requires no system, reminders can keep us on track. Paul said, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you” (Colossians 1:3 ESV). What a worthy goal for us!

Your comments encourage me and other readers. How do you remember to pray for the needs of others?