Good morning, God.
This morning I'm thinking of the song I heard on the radio with the lyrics, "Tell me who I am to you."
God, remind me who I am to you.
(Listen) What do you hear?
I hear: Beloved daughter, the one I love.
I'm listening, God. Who do you want me to pray for?
(Listen) What do you hear?
I hear: Pray for those who don't know me. (Pray)
Pray for those who are hurting. (Pray)
Come to me with your own burdens. (Pray)
Water of Life, come fill me up. Show me your face that I might see You. Thank you, Lord.
Amen.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Hearing Together: The Role of Community in Discerning God's Voice
Yesterday during house church, someone asked for prayer to discern where God was sending him in the mission field. He and his wife had visited several different cities abroad and were uncertain about where they should go. While praying on his own he discerned that God was telling him not to go to one particular city. Hearing God clearly speak to him in this way was surprising and he said he didn't know what to do with what he heard. Hearing this, I recommended that we pray as a group and hear from God together.
I've learned from experience that God often speaks through corporate prayer. As concerns are lifted up, God will reveal things through different people using the gifts he has given them. In our group one person has a gift of discernment, another often sees images when praying for others, another has prophetic gifts, another tongues, and I have a gift of intercession.
Praying together with others who use their spiritual gifts is a powerful experience. I am always awed by the way God speaks through each person but in perfect unity, like a perfectly orchestrated symphony. One person may discern, "I sense God will lead you and make this clear to you." Another may say, "I see an open door." Another may pray over unmentioned hardships or struggles. Yes, each voice or petition or discernment is powerful, but together they form the most magnificent symphony.
Are you struggling to hear from God about something? Who can you reach out to in your faith community to help you discern God's voice?
I've learned from experience that God often speaks through corporate prayer. As concerns are lifted up, God will reveal things through different people using the gifts he has given them. In our group one person has a gift of discernment, another often sees images when praying for others, another has prophetic gifts, another tongues, and I have a gift of intercession.
Praying together with others who use their spiritual gifts is a powerful experience. I am always awed by the way God speaks through each person but in perfect unity, like a perfectly orchestrated symphony. One person may discern, "I sense God will lead you and make this clear to you." Another may say, "I see an open door." Another may pray over unmentioned hardships or struggles. Yes, each voice or petition or discernment is powerful, but together they form the most magnificent symphony.
Are you struggling to hear from God about something? Who can you reach out to in your faith community to help you discern God's voice?
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Prayer as peaceful as a deep slumber
Lately, as I have endeavored to listen to the voice of God, I have experienced prayer in a whole new way. Listening has caused me to slow down and, well,... listen. In the past prayer meant closing my eyes, rattling off my prayers, and finishing with a definitive amen. Now I tend to pray more internally and allow my mind to relax. You might be thinking, "But what about the distractions that come to mind?" Well, the best way I can describe this type of prayer is focused listening prayer. I focus on entering God's presence and listening. As thoughts and worries or people come to mind I pray about them or the circumstances surrounding them until I feel a quiet peace about it. Then I wait until something else comes to mind and pray again. If a scripture comes to mind, I accept it as a word from God. If a song comes to mind, I sing it.
You might be wondering, "Well how does this type of prayer work when praying with others?" The other day I experienced the most beautiful time of prayer with my friend Maria. We waited in silence for a few minutes before praying and as one of us was led we began to pray. Holding hands we prayed for each other and waited. I could feel the grasp of her hand in mine as we lifted up our concerns to our heavenly Father. Then after our words had ceased, we sat in the most beautiful silence. It was like being asleep, and I could not feel the grasp of her hand. At some point I realized our prayer would have to end, but I didn't want it to. When the doorbell rang I slowly finished our prayer, before getting up.
When I returned from going to the door, Maria and I discussed what we had just experienced. She, too, said that she did not want our quiet prayer to end, and said, "Liz, did you feel how we could no longer feel our hands? It felt like our hands were gyrating!" God was clearly present.
Sometimes, I think fear drives us to rattle off prayers, whether alone or in a group. Could it be that waiting and listening during prayer causes you anxiety that causes you to fill the space with words? Maybe you're afraid God won't speak to you in the silence or have been taught that this is how you pray. Perhaps you don't truly believe that God wants to speak to you. Whatever your reason, how about giving listening prayer a try? You might find that giving space for God to move is truly rest to your soul.
You might be wondering, "Well how does this type of prayer work when praying with others?" The other day I experienced the most beautiful time of prayer with my friend Maria. We waited in silence for a few minutes before praying and as one of us was led we began to pray. Holding hands we prayed for each other and waited. I could feel the grasp of her hand in mine as we lifted up our concerns to our heavenly Father. Then after our words had ceased, we sat in the most beautiful silence. It was like being asleep, and I could not feel the grasp of her hand. At some point I realized our prayer would have to end, but I didn't want it to. When the doorbell rang I slowly finished our prayer, before getting up.
When I returned from going to the door, Maria and I discussed what we had just experienced. She, too, said that she did not want our quiet prayer to end, and said, "Liz, did you feel how we could no longer feel our hands? It felt like our hands were gyrating!" God was clearly present.
Sometimes, I think fear drives us to rattle off prayers, whether alone or in a group. Could it be that waiting and listening during prayer causes you anxiety that causes you to fill the space with words? Maybe you're afraid God won't speak to you in the silence or have been taught that this is how you pray. Perhaps you don't truly believe that God wants to speak to you. Whatever your reason, how about giving listening prayer a try? You might find that giving space for God to move is truly rest to your soul.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Friday's here... but Sunday's comin!
The title of this blog is one of my favorites for Easter. I heard Tony Campolo preach more than ten years ago about a "preach off" he had with another minister at an African-American church. "Friday's here...but Sunday's comin" the other minister said in a deep rumbling voice. Friday's here...hardship, poverty, confusion, war, suffering, pain...but Sunday's comin.
Today as I think about Easter, I find it hard to dwell on the suffering of Christ. My mind tends to gloss over all the horrific details of what he endured and to fast forward to his exultant resurrection. Good Friday comes each year without so much as a few prayers before the details of Easter: the dinner, the egg hunts, and festivities take over. "Christ the Lord is risen today" is sung with joy and exultation, as it should be, but have I really understood the resurrection of our Lord without stopping to consider his crucifixion?
In the same way, I wonder if we actually understand the deep significance of "Sunday's comin" for ourselves. As the preacher preached, whatever you are facing right now, no matter how difficult or painful, belonging to Jesus means that He has a glorious end plan for us. Yes, heaven awaits us, but somehow everything we experience and endure is an important piece in God's plan for us and our world. Did you get that? Your life is an important piece in God's great redemptive plan for the world!
When Jesus suffered and died for us, He bridged the great impenetrable chasm between us and God. Our lives are connected to the greatest love story ever. Nothing should be glossed over or disconnected, yet we often think in those terms. We think, "God is up there and I'm down here." "God, where are you?". We think and see in small disjointed pieces and we forget the glue: Jesus.
This Easter, my prayer is that you would think about Jesus' suffering as part of your own love story and that you would think about your life as part of God's great love story. It's all one reality. We are connected to the Father, He is in us through His Spirit because of the love of the Son, and Easter is actually your story too.
May you be ever radiant in the knowledge of Jesus' love for you.
Liz
Today as I think about Easter, I find it hard to dwell on the suffering of Christ. My mind tends to gloss over all the horrific details of what he endured and to fast forward to his exultant resurrection. Good Friday comes each year without so much as a few prayers before the details of Easter: the dinner, the egg hunts, and festivities take over. "Christ the Lord is risen today" is sung with joy and exultation, as it should be, but have I really understood the resurrection of our Lord without stopping to consider his crucifixion?
In the same way, I wonder if we actually understand the deep significance of "Sunday's comin" for ourselves. As the preacher preached, whatever you are facing right now, no matter how difficult or painful, belonging to Jesus means that He has a glorious end plan for us. Yes, heaven awaits us, but somehow everything we experience and endure is an important piece in God's plan for us and our world. Did you get that? Your life is an important piece in God's great redemptive plan for the world!
When Jesus suffered and died for us, He bridged the great impenetrable chasm between us and God. Our lives are connected to the greatest love story ever. Nothing should be glossed over or disconnected, yet we often think in those terms. We think, "God is up there and I'm down here." "God, where are you?". We think and see in small disjointed pieces and we forget the glue: Jesus.
This Easter, my prayer is that you would think about Jesus' suffering as part of your own love story and that you would think about your life as part of God's great love story. It's all one reality. We are connected to the Father, He is in us through His Spirit because of the love of the Son, and Easter is actually your story too.
May you be ever radiant in the knowledge of Jesus' love for you.
Liz
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Listening Prayer
Yesterday at 8:15 in the morning I met with some friends to pray. Harried, after dropping off their kids to school and some toting along youngsters, we sat at my kitchen table over mugs of steaming coffee to chit chat and share prayer requests. This morning, the prayer requests were not unusual. There were, what seemed like, constant distractions from late arrivers, the rustling of coats, and a Berenstain Bear's cartoon in the background, but in the midst of this God spoke.
In the last few years I have come to understand the power of praying with others. Have you ever prayed with someone who knew exactly how to pray for you? Have you ever felt the time was anointed in some way? Well, that's exactly what happens when you pray with others who are listening to the voice of God. Some believers may see images, some may hear bible verses, some may speak in tongues, some may feel the burden others carry, some may feel God's heart for others, some may have words of knowledge or wisdom, or some may simply know how to pray. For me, my gift is hearing words to pray. Can I sometimes pray without listening to God's prompting? Sure. But if I stop to listen, I often know exactly what to pray. I simply open my mouth and the words just start flowing out.
I'm grateful for this group of women who strive to listen to the voice of God. I know that whenever I pray with them, God shows up. Are there people in your life who listen to the voice of God when they pray? If you're seeking answers or just plain needing prayer, how about calling together other believers to pray? No matter what distractions surround you, begin with listening, and prepare to be amazed!
In the last few years I have come to understand the power of praying with others. Have you ever prayed with someone who knew exactly how to pray for you? Have you ever felt the time was anointed in some way? Well, that's exactly what happens when you pray with others who are listening to the voice of God. Some believers may see images, some may hear bible verses, some may speak in tongues, some may feel the burden others carry, some may feel God's heart for others, some may have words of knowledge or wisdom, or some may simply know how to pray. For me, my gift is hearing words to pray. Can I sometimes pray without listening to God's prompting? Sure. But if I stop to listen, I often know exactly what to pray. I simply open my mouth and the words just start flowing out.
I'm grateful for this group of women who strive to listen to the voice of God. I know that whenever I pray with them, God shows up. Are there people in your life who listen to the voice of God when they pray? If you're seeking answers or just plain needing prayer, how about calling together other believers to pray? No matter what distractions surround you, begin with listening, and prepare to be amazed!
Monday, March 11, 2013
Doing what you can with the little you've got
Today I'm thinking about how small things can mean a lot. I'm thinking about how a text message to a friend, a decision to say "Have a nice day!", or a choice to reach out to a neighbor can brighten someone's day. This morning when I dropped off my girls at school, a school safety patrol student opened my car door to let the girls out and said, "Have a nice day." before closing my car door. Just that small gesture made me feel just a bit happier. When I posted on Facebook that I missed the mountains in Utah, my friend Heather took a picture of the mountains outside her living room window and posted it. It still makes me smile just thinking about it.
What makes you smile?
Sometimes when I am praying for someone I will sense that I should send him/her a text message. It takes 10 seconds (depending on how fast you text). Ten seconds to show someone you care and are thinking or praying for him/her. If you're not a texter, how about sending a card? A friend of mine will send cards with little cards inside with words of encouragement. You know the ones... pictures of dogs, cats, or rainbows. Many times they are tracts with pre-printed messages. More often than not, the messages hit me hard and speak a word I desperately need to hear. A dear friend of ours once preached, "You, be the one". Be the one to reach out, smile, lend a helping hand, serve, or say "I'll do it." But being "the one" doesn't have to be something big.
Just think of the boy who had a few loaves and fishes. Think of how many people he helped feed with his small offering. That's the amazing thing about God's Kingdom. God can take small offerings and use them in powerful ways for His Kingdom. How can you "be the one" today?
What makes you smile?
Sometimes when I am praying for someone I will sense that I should send him/her a text message. It takes 10 seconds (depending on how fast you text). Ten seconds to show someone you care and are thinking or praying for him/her. If you're not a texter, how about sending a card? A friend of mine will send cards with little cards inside with words of encouragement. You know the ones... pictures of dogs, cats, or rainbows. Many times they are tracts with pre-printed messages. More often than not, the messages hit me hard and speak a word I desperately need to hear. A dear friend of ours once preached, "You, be the one". Be the one to reach out, smile, lend a helping hand, serve, or say "I'll do it." But being "the one" doesn't have to be something big.
Just think of the boy who had a few loaves and fishes. Think of how many people he helped feed with his small offering. That's the amazing thing about God's Kingdom. God can take small offerings and use them in powerful ways for His Kingdom. How can you "be the one" today?
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Finding Stillness In the Hubub of Life
Do you struggle with being still and hearing from God? Today I'd like to share with you how I spent time with God this morning. This exercise requires a little bit of time, so if you are skimming this or in a rush, I recommend that you come back later when you have more time. You might want to read this before you start. Once you're done, I'd love to hear from you.
1) Go to a quiet place.
2) Close your eyes.
2) Sing a worship song that comes to mind.
3) Breathe. Listen. Keep your eyes closed for a few minutes. Allow yourself to relax and be still.
4) Let your mind wander as you sit in silence. Pray as worries and people come to mind. When you're done praying for one person or situation, pray for the next person or situation that comes to mind. Pray trusting prayers. Acknowledge God's goodness, supremacy, and power. Allow the stillness to calm your heart. Release your prayers and your burdens as you pray.
5) Ask God what He wants to tell you today? Listen. Write it down. Don't over think it. Just write what you hear. Thank God for speaking to you.
What did you hear?
Here is what I heard: I love you, Liz. You are my daughter. I am in the stillness. There is none like me. I am in control. I will carry your burdens. Do not be afraid. I am with you always.
1) Go to a quiet place.
2) Close your eyes.
2) Sing a worship song that comes to mind.
3) Breathe. Listen. Keep your eyes closed for a few minutes. Allow yourself to relax and be still.
4) Let your mind wander as you sit in silence. Pray as worries and people come to mind. When you're done praying for one person or situation, pray for the next person or situation that comes to mind. Pray trusting prayers. Acknowledge God's goodness, supremacy, and power. Allow the stillness to calm your heart. Release your prayers and your burdens as you pray.
5) Ask God what He wants to tell you today? Listen. Write it down. Don't over think it. Just write what you hear. Thank God for speaking to you.
What did you hear?
Here is what I heard: I love you, Liz. You are my daughter. I am in the stillness. There is none like me. I am in control. I will carry your burdens. Do not be afraid. I am with you always.
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