prayer - Page 2 of 3 - Jeannie Waters, Writer & Speaker

Learning to Trust by Guest Blogger, Lori Hatcher

March 7, 2022Jeannie Waters30 Comments

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image.png — Lori Hatcher~LoriHatcher.com

Welcome to Lori Hatcher, today’s guest blogger.

Reader friend, you’re in for a treat with Lori’s devotion AND an opportunity to win A FREE COPY of her new devotional book.

We all know Bible reading and prayer are vital parts of our faith, but what happens when our prayer lives become stagnant and our quiet times grow stale? We need something more than just familiar verses and the command to pray. In Refresh Your Prayers, Uncommon Devotions to Unlock Power and Praise, Lori Hatcher shares five-minute story-driven devotions that spotlight unusual prayer verses in the Bible.

Lori, one of my favorite devotional writers, has a brand new book out. Refresh Your Prayers: Uncommon Devotions to Restore Power and Praise. I’m learning so much from Lori’s valuable devotions. Today, I’m honored to share one devotion from the book with you, dear reader.

Guest Post by Lori Hatcher: Learning to Trust

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

(Mark 4:40)

Our dog Winston was the biggest scaredy cat in the canine world. We credit his timidity to his time in “The Big House.” The runt of the litter, seven-week-old Winston was malnourished and mangy when someone dropped him off at the animal shelter.

Thankfully the animal control officer was married to Grace, the president of the animal rescue league. He told her about the tiny, freckle-faced puppy, and she saw potential in him. Eying his patchy fur and protruding ribs, she announced, “I can cure his mange and fatten him up. He’ll make someone a great pet.”

Until his mange cured, Grace kept Winston isolated. By the time we adopted him, he’d spent a large portion of his life alone. We weren’t surprised to discover he had trust issues.

Imagine what it would be like to go from an isolated crate in the corner of a room to a big wide world bustling with sights, sounds, and smells. Falling leaves sent him running for cover. Sudden noises caused him to hide under the nearest piece of furniture. One day we were playing in an open field when a plastic grocery bag blew his way. He bolted like Sasquatch was chasing him.

Winston reminds me of myself in the early days of my faith. God didn’t rescue me from The Big House, but He did rescue me from a dark and hopeless future. He cured my sin sickness and promised to take care of me all the days of my life.

But I had trust issues. At the first rustle of change or clatter of trouble, I ran for cover.

Like the disciples in the storm on the Sea of Galilee, I cried out, “Teacher, don’t you care about me?”

I was convinced—God was sleeping, and I was going to drown.

I had to extend lots of love and patience to persuade Winston to trust me. When scary things frightened him, I called his name, dropped to my knees, and opened my arms wide. “Come, Winston,” I said. “Come to me. I’ll protect you.”

Before long he learned to run to me instead of away from me. One day I walked him on a busy street to condition him not to fear traffic noises. In the distance a fire truck roared our way. Seeing the threat, I dropped to my knees, wrapped my arms around him, and covered him with my body until the truck howled past.

“Don’t be afraid,” I whispered into his trembling ear. “I’ve got you.”

God did the same for me. As I prayed and He answered, I learned to run to Him whenever anything frightening entered my world. When I brought financial needs, sickness, and relationship troubles to Him in prayer, I saw Him respond. When the leaves of uncertainty rustled, I shared my fears with Him. When unemployment, a wayward child, or a troubling situation roared into my life, I sought protection in His mighty arms and found comfort and help.

As He answered my prayers and responded to my needs, my trust grew.

“Don’t be afraid,” God whispered to my trembling heart. “I’ve got you.”

Sometimes I wish I didn’t have to pray about everything. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if God met my needs; kept me free from sickness, pain, and sorrow; and intercepted every problem before it touched my life?

If He did, though, I’d never learn to trust Him. My faith would be as malnourished as Winston when Grace rescued him. I’d take every good gift for granted and never recognize that it came from the generous hand of my heavenly Father.

In heaven, nothing will make me afraid, and my faith will become sight. Until then, my fear drives me to pray, and God’s answers grow my faith.

As Winston learned to trust me, our relationship grew sweeter. No longer plagued by fear and distrust, he could freely enjoy the life we shared.

As I’ve learned to trust God, our relationship has grown sweeter too. I’ve learned He’s not asleep on the job. He’s aware of all my needs and is fully able to meet them. This knowledge frees me to face life with confidence.

Jesus asked His disciples two questions in the middle of the storm. He asks us the same: “Why are you so afraid?” and “Do you still have no faith?” Because faith pleases God, I’m learning to embrace every need that sends me running into His arms. No matter what threatens, I find them always open.

Uncommon Power

God calls me to pray so I can learn to trust Him.

Praise Prompt

Father, thank you for patiently teaching me to love and trust you. I praise you for being trustworthy, faithful, and good. Grow my faith, Lord. When trials and trouble enter my life, help me run to you first. In the strong name of Jesus I ask, amen.

Live It Out

List all the ways God has provided for you in the last week. In the last month. In the last year. List everything from the air in your lungs, to the clothes on your back, to the roof over your head. Think also of the nonmaterial gifts. Has God been faithful? Remember this the next time you feel afraid. Run to Him and grow in faith and trust.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-1-726x1024.png

A GIFT FROM LORI

You could win a FREE copy of Refresh Your Prayers. On Friday, March 11th at 12:00 noon, I’ll draw a name from readers who comment on the post. Watch for the winner’s name in the comments here and on my Facebook page, Jeannie Waters, Writer.

In the comments, share your thoughts about how prayer helps build your faith or how Lori’s devotion blessed you.

About the Author

Lori Hatcher is a pastor’s wife who lives delightfully close to her four grandchildren in Lexington, South Carolina. She’s the author of several devotional books including Refresh Your Prayers, Uncommon Devotions to Restore Power and Praise. She’s also a blogger, writing instructor, and inspirational speaker. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Refresh . Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter (@LoriHatcher2), or Pinterest (Hungry for God).

About the Book

Taken from Refresh Your Prayers: Uncommon Devotions to Restore Power and Praise by Lori Hatcher© 2022. Used by permission of Our Daily Bread Publishing®, Box 3566, Grand Rapids, MI 49501. All rights reserved. Further distribution is prohibited without written permission from Our Daily Bread Publishing® at permissionsdept@odb.org.

If you’re tired of your all-too-quiet quiet time, Refresh Your Prayers is the answer.

The UNcommon Book on Prayer – Unusual Devotions to Unlock Power and Praise

Available now at Amazon.com, Christian Book.com, and wherever fine books are sold.

Embrace the New Day with Joy and Prayer

October 14, 2020Jeannie Waters24 Comments

I’m a “wannabe” morning person. How about you? Do you bounce up early, eager to get started? Or are you sliding under the comforter after midnight?

By nature I’m a night owl who’s trying hard to convert. I’d like to see more of God’s glorious colors painted across the eastern sky when a new day begins.

Three hundred and sixty-five times per year, God wraps a new day with fresh air and promises. Whether the package includes the sun’s rays streaming through the trees or rumbling thunder in an ominous sky, each twenty-four-hour period represents a gift.

When I wake up, I often repeat, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). The verse sets the tone for joyous gratitude.

Lest you think I spring up like Winnie-the-Pooh’s friend Tigger with extra energy and exuberance, I’ll admit my attitude on occasion is less than cheery.

When I’m tired or overwhelmed with a long to-do list, my response to the alarm clock sounds more like Pooh’s other friend, Eeyore, the forlorn donkey who sees the glass as half-empty.

On those days, as my hand reaches for the snooze button, my pillow entices me more than the smell of strong coffee. Gratitude hides deep under the covers.

Regardless of our mental state upon awakening, we can embrace each new day with gratitude for God’s gifts. After all, an additional dawn represents an opportunity to seek our heavenly Father’s will in prayer and to love and serve Him and others throughout the day.

Some believers spend concentrated time with God in the afternoon or evening. We’re all unique. As long as we engage in prayer and Bible study, we can grow in Christ regardless of the time of day. Some who have extended prayer and reading time later in the day, pray briefly in the morning to acknowledge God’s presence and gain focus.

Praying passages from the book of Psalms often jumpstarts my early moments. Focusing on God’s words pries open my sleepy mind and awakens my heart to converse with the day’s Creator. The verses below are some of my favorites.

Embrace-the-Day-with-Joy Verses to Pray

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14

But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.
Psalm 59:16

But I, O Lord, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.
Psalm 88:13

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.
Psalm 119:147

You may want to print the verses and add others to include in your conversations with God.

Please share how you turn “Eeyore mornings” into “Tigger days.”

Bouncing like the tiger character in the Winnie-the-Pooh story is optional (whew), but embracing the day with prayer helps us rejoice in the new morning God has made. Filled with joy, we can brighten someone else’s day.

Have a good day, dear reader friend, and enjoy time with God whether you meet with Him in the morning or evening. Thank you for your comments.

Bible verses are from the ESV.

Image by Pixabay

Praying for Back-to-School Joy

July 29, 2020Jeannie Waters12 Comments

Will COVID-19, a potential joy thief, rob families and educators of joy in 2020? Which safeguards are trustworthy? Do we have a responsibility in the current school year dilemma? Yes, I believe we do.

Let’s join together in prayer for each student and educator facing a year of uncertainty.

But first, let’s recall happy back-to-school days.

Do memories of a new school year make you smile? Do you recall the smell of new crayons and the joy of seeing friends again? Remembering my own school days and those of my children spark joy.

From the moment our son played on the playground and noticed the bright yellow doors, he was ready to start school. Chocolate brown eyes danced with excitement as he entered Mrs. Tippett’s kindergarten class.

Memories of his first second-grade homework assignment make me laugh. Not understanding that his teacher meant essay, he wrote a summary of his summer activities and titled the paper “My S. A.” (I didn’t say a word knowing it would give his teacher a smile.)

Our daughter, never one for the ordinary, chose either sparkly silver pencils or those with a Strawberry Shortcake motif for her school debut. Ponytail bouncing, she skipped in daily with enthusiasm as she chatted with friends.

My favorite school memory of her was the day she insisted on “taking” her brother for Show-and-Tell! (He obliged her.)

Will the happy back-to-school memory bank be filled this year? At the beginning of this 2020-2021 school year, we see more questions than answers:

Online school or in-person?

Can kindergarteners understand social distancing?

Will teachers get sick?

How will working parents manage?

What extracurricular activities?

We hear more doubt than certainty. We suspect more fear than joy will capture us. We wonder how effective online education will be.

Yes, this school year will be challenging at best, but I believe each of us can contribute to effective education for all children and joy in learning How?

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2

As a retired teacher, I remember the energy required for reopening school. Long hours. Little sleep. New requirements. Diverse needs. It’s hard, folks. A blessing—but HARD. Educators and families need God’s blessings.

Here’s a suggested prayer guide. Please add your own requests.

A Prayer Guide for the 2020-2021 School Year

Pray as you ride by public and private schools and as you see school buses and children in your neighborhood.

Lift up home school students and parents.

Pray for wisdom for board members and advisors.

Ask God to equip educators with stamina, health, joy, and insight into students’ needs.

Pray for students and parents who are fearful as you pray for academic achievement. Pray for joy.

Pray for students with disabilities and for those learning English as a second language.

Here are groups of people to lift in prayer:

students and families
teachers, including new teachers
paraprofessionals
counselors
clerical staff
bus drivers
custodians
administrators
substitute teachers
board members

Without setting foot in a school, we can impact student learning and our community through prayer. Did the start of a new school year bring you joy?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13

Image from Pixabay

Are You Thirsty?

July 24, 2019Jeannie Waters4 Comments

During the flood of 1994 our city water supply failed. Tropical Storm Alberto lambasted the panhandle of Florida and then collided with a cold front from Alabama to produce three days of lingering thunderstorms in our area. As a result, our river escaped its banks and swamped the water treatment plant.

Cars queued at fire stations for gallon jugs of water, and some of us (me!) washed clothes in three surrounding counties. Shampooing hair and washing hands required extreme conservation. And of course, we all wanted to drink more water than usual.

Have you experienced unquenchable thirst when water is unavailable? Maybe it’s temporarily turned off for plumbing repairs, or perhaps you received the “No food or drink after midnight” order prior to medical tests. The life-sustaining liquid seems to consume one’s thoughts when there is none.

Nothing will satisfy like water when we desire or need it.

However, sometimes when we need water, we don’t realize it. By the time we sense thirst, our bodies are already becoming dehydrated. Consistent intake of H2O enhances general health and system functions.

Just as drinking water throughout the day hydrates our physical bodies, ongoing communication with God keeps us spiritually in tune with Him. When we neglect to talk and listen to Him, our hearts and minds don’t function well.

Even quick prayers spoken in the middle of activity focus our attention on the One who longs to communicate with us.

Spending time with my heavenly Father in Bible study and prayer is my favorite way to start the day. However, I want my longing to be like that of the psalmist in the following verse:

As the deer pants for the water brooks,
so pants my soul for You, O God.
Psalm 42:1

Do you have that level of desire for Him? Or like me, do you sometimes let too much time slip by when your sole focus is work, problems, a current interest, or social media posts?

With physical thirst, we may experience a dry mouth and mental fog. Without regular conversations with God, we may become anxious, impatient, or forget that He is with us.

Keeping the line of communication open between our heart and God’s sharpens our focus on His truth and allows us to appropriate the blessings He offers. In prayer, we can praise God and rejoice in His presence, in addition to offering our requests.

He may guide us toward the right decision or calm our fretful heart. He may convict us of sin so that we can confess it and receive forgiveness. He may remind us of His great love for us or the truth of a Bible verse we need.

My plan for drinking enough water for optimum health is to fill a quart container to drink before lunch. Then I add another quart of water for the afternoon and evening. This practice reminds me to take care of my physical health.

Frequent talks with God foster spiritual health. What prompts you to talk with God throughout the day? Do you plan specific times or have visual reminders? Would a prayer notebook or Scripture cards help? Playing hymns or praise songs at home or in the car draws our attention upward.

Twenty-five years ago, the flood of 1994 demonstrated our desperate need for the precious gift of water. Relationship with Christ Jesus offers daily refreshment through times of prayer. Are you thirsty for a deeper relationship with Him?

Let’s encourage each other by sharing how we quench our thirst for communication with God. What prompts you to pray? When do you pray? Please share in the comment section to help all of us.

And why not encourage someone you meet today with a promise of prayer for their needs?

God Is Speaking Encouragement. Are You Listening?

February 25, 2019Jeannie Waters15 Comments

When our daughter was three years old, she would take my chin in her little dimpled hand and turn my face toward hers before she made a request. She wanted to ensure she had my undivided attention when she asked for cookies or described something she saw outside.

Do you have that same desire in conversation? How do you feel when you’re talking, and the other person is obviously distracted? I’m sure you’ll agree that focusing on the speaker enhances comprehension.

What about listening to God? We don’t have to get His attention, but does He have ours—our undivided attention? He doesn’t force us to focus on Him, but He longs to teach us and encourage us.

Here are some thoughts about preparing to listen to God as we read the Bible, pray, and walk daily with Him.

Preparing to Listen to God

Position yourself to listen.

Whether you’re a night owl or an early bird, isn’t it exciting to set aside a quiet time in a comfortable place to read Bible passages and pray? When Spring arrives, I’ll move from the bedroom chair to the deck for my daily appointment with God. What’s your favorite place to sit with Him?

Once we’re physically positioned, tuning in to His voice prepares us to listen attentively. Checking our level of obedience and exchanging our will for God’s, paves the way for hearing from Him. My quiet times are more productive when I remember to set my heart to listen.

After a quiet time with the Lord—as we take care of daily responsibilities—we can keep our eyes and ears tuned to His messages.

Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!

Luke 11:28

Avoid distractions.

Silence your phone and grab a cup of coffee or a glass of water as you head to your selected spot. Keep a notepad handy to jot down distracting thoughts. I call my notepad the “Rabbit Trail Pad” because my mind often hops to other thoughts or responsibilities when I sit still to hear from God. Anybody else? Just as I silence my phone to avoid distractions, I need to silence the voice of “me” and train my ears to listen.

Focus on God as you seek Him.

When we are in the presence of an expert on area where we have interest, we rivet our attention on the speaker, straining to catch each detail. I recently learned in a deeper way a truth about listening closely to God.

I desperately needed the Lord’s wisdom about a decision. Multiple times each day, I wondered what His direction would be as I prayed. The potential answer was uppermost in my mind. One morning, I read a statement written by Priscilla Shirer that changed my perspective.

Stop frantically searching for God’s will; start frantically searching for God Himself. ¹

I needed my Father more than I needed an answer, but I had slipped into a bad habit of concentrating more on the response, on what I needed to learn, than on Him. I continued to ask for wisdom, but I fixed my attention on the Shepherd who would guide me.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

James 4:8a

Respond to what you hear.

As a teacher, I know that applying what we learn helps us remember. How can we apply the truths God shows us? Here are some ideas:

When you are amazed by God’s goodness or love, sing a hymn or praise song to Him.
When you marvel at His involvement with people in the Bible or answered prayer, tell Him.
Record truths you learn in a journal to log your spiritual growth and to remind you of His messages.
Write a verse you want to memorize on a card and post it on a mirror or at your desk.

Preparing to listen to God sharpens our spiritual sense of hearing. We can converse with Him at any moment, but taking time to listen attentively equips us to learn more about Him and His Word.

Sometimes I imagine God cupping my chin in His hand, tilting my face up to His, and saying,

Listen to Me, my daughter. I have important truths to tell you and I want to teach you more about Me. In our conversations, I long to give you peace and comfort, and because I am a good Father, I will also correct you when you disobey. Stop what you’re doing for a while and turn the eyes of your heart to Me. Come talk to me and listen to what I say.

Not only will listening for God’s voice bless our lives, but we can offer the encouragement of Christ to others as we learn more about Him. Please share the ways you prepare to listen to God.

What a good listener! 😉

¹Shirer, Priscilla, Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize When God Speaks (Nashville: Lifeway Press, 2017), 62.

Bible verses are from the English Standard Version.