Monday, April 9, 2007

Praying for Loved Ones

     The Lord has really been talking with me lately regarding prayer. I know the one way we can truly sacrifice for our families is to take time and lift them up in prayer. Sometimes, our lives become overwhelming and it seems that prayer is the first thing to go, or prayer for others, specifically.

     Sometimes, I know, we need to find God in our circumstances before we can find Him in the circumstances of others.

     But sometimes, we are just tired. Tired of fighting the Good Fight!! Tired of having to continuously lift up those that do everything in their power to hurt us or push us away.

     I am actually living such a situation. I have a family member who has chosen to walk away from God and our family. She is trying desperately to cause us to be mad at her, so that we will push her away and she can feel justified in pushing us away. It is a very hard situation.

     I have seven brothers and sisters. I have to say that my brother, who is closest in age to me, is special to me. He is almost 29 and not married and I have just been allowed to be his protecting, defending big sister for more years than is usual.

     Once a brother gets a wife, your role as big sister changes. I know this by experience. My second youngest brother is happily married to a wonderful woman and so he does not need me to be the defender, protector in his life. God provided someone better and I am good with that.

     So my wandering sister has chosen recently to spread terrible rumors about the brother I am the defender, protector to. So needless to say, I was a bit riled when I heard, but God is good, he gave me a husband who will let me know when I am stepping out of line.

     The interesting thing of the whole situation is that I had decided just four days before to begin spending time daily praying for my sister and fasting one meal per day to see breakthrough. The Enemy knows which buttons to push in our lives to try to distract us from the purpose God has set before us.

     Thankfully my husband does call me on things when I step out of line or I could have gotten very worked up and distracted from my purpose.

     I tell you all of this so you will understand where I am coming from. In seek the best action plan to pray for my sister, God really spoke to my mom, sister-in-law, and I about proclaiming scripture over my sister to combat the lies she is speaking forth.

     Our prayers are very important. The Bible says in James 5:16b The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

     But I also know, there is nothing better than speaking the Word of God over and for those we love. God's heart for our loved ones is deeper and more pure. Sometimes, I own motives get in and can confuse our prayers. That will not happen if we are speaking the Word of God.

     I encourage you. If you have any type of situation you are facing and your need truth spoken into it, get out your Bible and find the verses that will speak to it and then begin to declare them over that situation.

     If you are being challenged in any situation, one of the best verses to proclaim over your life that will give you confidence to face it with the Lord at your side is Romans 8:37. "Yet in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

     So take out your two-edged sword and show the Enemy what your Lord is made of.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

With love and blessings,

Jess

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jess, Wow I am so blessed by the way you broke down the whole" pray a scripture over" your family or situation. That really blessed me, I also tend to defend, and I am glad to know I am not the only one! Thanks~E

Anonymous said...

I just came across your site and read about praying for loved ones. Reading what you have writen has given me the strength to continue with something in my life that I have been loosing faith in. Thank You.