When God Says, "PRAY'

~~~Warning: long post!~~~

Over the past several months God has been working very deeply in my life, revealing to me what I need to offer up to Him in order to be the person He designed me to be. It has been painful and challenging and also full of joy and thanksgiving. I recently relinquished to Him my anger-an insidious and damaging sin of the heart, mind and soul.

No, my parents weren't bad people. No my husband doesn't beat me. No, my children are not a disappointment. Quite the opposite! And there, my friends, is the mystery/trickery of sin. It doesn't have to make sense in order for us to fall prey. I was angry about many things-some big and some very small. But I was angry. And over a lifetime it became my identity. Now I rejoice in a new feeling at my core: tranquility. It's a very new concept for me--one that has been foreign to me all my life. I'm liking it though and the deeper my Lord takes me, the more I offer up to Him, the more tranquil I become.

Daily God answers my plea to understand and view clearly His plan for me in light of the lifted burden of anger/sin that prevented me from doing so suitably to this point. Here’s what has gone on in the past two weeks:

I have felt an almost overwhelming burden to pray for others—including each of you. I put out a notice on FaceBook recently, inviting any and all to share their need for prayer with me. A year ago, I would have felt overwhelmed with the direct responses I’ve received as well as the (now approaching 30) others upon which I have “coincidentally” stumbled.

At first, I was excited at how God was blessing me. Oops! It’s not about me! I keep forgetting that! I am blessed beyond expression or description to be allowed such intimate and sacred relationship with those for whom I am praying. My list is growing daily. Some prayer requests are about sending a first child off to kindergarten or to college. Some are about devastating, life changing issues.

So where is this leading? I have no idea about the long term! This is what I have decided for now: I will continue to pray for each and every person who individually requests it. I will pray for others who have not requested it, but who I know are in need. I will also continue to pray for any and all of God’s beloved whom HE knows are in need of prayer.

Two requests in particular were like receiving a “gut punch” because of the grief and pain the individuals were experiencing. I am sending these two individuals a copy of my book in the hope they will find comfort and a sense of peace within the pages.

I wouldn’t have thought that appropriate or “humble” a year ago! But after all, the book is really not mine! The book was about obedience: God wanted me to do it. That was the whole purpose: obey Him! Every word, every punctuation point and every aspect of it is from God and for His glory and is rendered from His mercy and grace upon me as I have struggled, often crawling, to this point of obedience to His call on my life.

This is what I ask of you: If you know of someone who you feel would be ministered to by Woman At The Well, please order a copy for them at amazon.com. If you can’t afford a copy, send me a check for what you can afford. If you cannot afford to pay anything, that’s okay too. Just ask me for a copy, I’ll send it to you.

This is not a blatant or “back handed” plug for my book. I’ve given away more copies than I’ve sold! I don’t care if I ever earn back what I have invested financially to publish and market the book! I have also donated a portion of all profits to charitable causes. I will continue to do so. I am tithing my “profits.”

I don’t know why or how Woman At The Well has exceeded my hopes and dreams except that God has ordained it (and me) to be a vessel of His healing, His power, His grace. Why do I think so small and only in human terms? This is one of the reviews I’ve received about the book

“Mary O. Moss is the vessel God uses to pour love, wisdom and encouragement to the reader. Laced with Biblical Example and Scripture, the poems and short works really encouraged me. As I read I thought what a perfect gift book for someone who might be hurting through their own choices or even circumstances. I believe this would be a great book for someone who is searching for fulfillment, much like the Biblical woman at the well. Lastly, I think it's a wonderful work to keep for yourself. Let God love on you. Woman at the Well is a perfect means to feel His love today.”

I literally cried when I read it because I am still in awe that my mere act of obedience (publish the book) has touched even one person far beyond anything I could have imagined. “Let God love on you.” Let Him love on anyone in your life who needs a tangible reminder of that love.

I have started a list of all prayer requests I receive or have initiated on my own. If you would like me to add your name or the name of a loved one, let me know. I don’t know where this is leading, but I’m on board till the end of the line! God knows, and for now, that is enough. I may wake up tomorrow with a different/new/broader vision!

You can do me a great favor and pray that I will continue to hear God speaking in my life and obeying His instructions to me.

I woke up this morning knowing that this is the next step in my journey. Join me!

God’s grace and peace upon you in your journey.

Blessings on your journey,
Mary

Burdened? Lay it Down

This morning I installed the code for yet another prayer button Edie at Rich Gifts designed for a beautiful sister in Christ who is in the spiritual battle of her life--for her life. I felt weighed down and overwhelmed--not by the needs of my friend. Not by the effort to rally prayer warriors on my friend's behalf. I felt burdened as if I were personally responsible for the outcome of the prayers. I all too often fall into the trap of praying as if I were the one responsible for the result!

Yes, I felt burdened. Not "put upon" or inconvenienced. Burdened. You see, I spent several minutes in prayer this morning about some things in my life. Then I began to think of all the individuals I know and their need for prayer - some about huge, very specific matters of physical survival; others who must make decisions about their future or their children's future that will be life-changing. Some of them struggle with physical or emotional or spiritual issues. Some just need to feel blanketed in prayer to make it through each day.

All of us need prayer. All day. Every day. As one of those "I can do it" and "I'll take care of that" people, I tend to take on each burden of which I am made aware and carry it with me . . . until the burden becomes so large that I almost collapse under the weight of it.

That's because my burden is only to pray! Yes only. I am responsible to pray. God is in charge of the outcome! Let go, Mary. Let God. Pray in the name of Jesus for God's will -- not mine. Not even the will of those for whom we pray. No . . . we pray in the name of Jesus for the will of God to be established on His earth--in His world.

We are His beloved. Jesus already carried our burdens with him on the road to Golgotha. He hung upon the Cross so that we would know once and for all time that we are not alone, that we can be hopeful, that we are saved!

I believe in the power of prayer! I truly do. Having said that, I also know my own nature. I prayed this morning, both collectively and by name, for all those on my prayer list and for the prayer needs of others I may not be aware of.

Now I have laid that burden at the foot of the Cross. That is how I can best serve those in need of prayer -- pray. Then let go; let God.

~~~~~~~~~~

"When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when an enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people Israel—each one aware of the afflictions of his own heart, and spreading out his hands toward this temple- ³⁹ then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of all men)"(1 Kings 8:37-39 NIV)

"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you" (Jeremiah 29:12 NIV)

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Romans 12:12 NIV).

*(Photographer: Ake Dahllof and Emma Holmbro, from: Hill of Crosses)

Blessings on your journey,"
Mary