My phone buzzes insistently. Heart pounding, I reach for it. Another late-night call from my friend in crisis. Anxiety mounts in her voice, causing me to feel it too. The lies she spouts from the enemy seem to make sense, but they need to be replaced with God’s truth.
Again, I pray with her. Again, I bring her and her family to the Lord evening and morning.
You might know someone whom you would love to see surrender to Christ or grow in him. They have a big challenge, whether it is from their own sin, or that of a family member. You pray for the situation day and night. Sometimes it seems you want their growth, surrender or solution more than they want it.
This could be how God sees us. He is not frustrated. He is patient and sees the future that we can’t. Sometimes we must stop and wait to hear from God. And then we may need to cut our friend or family member a little slack. Instead of trying to force them to change, we should trust that God will move on them in his way and time.
So many times, things looked hopeless for other people I was praying for. Then, out of the blue, someone changed in ways I didn’t expect, because God in his power, love and wisdom moved in the situation. It might be through another person who gets involved and confronts with love and grace. The circumstances might change in ways only God can accomplish. The next time I am tempted to push too hard in my own strength I will sit back and continue to pray in faith. I will let God move in his power, way and time. As a result, not only will my friend grow but I will too.
Lord, please help me not to push people to do what I think they should do. Help me hear your guiding voice through your word and not act according to my own limited perspective. Thank you that you choose to partner with me in prayer to change people and situations. Help me to persevere in prayer for specific people day and night.
Throughout this Day: Meditate on and write out Romans 1:9-10. Try to memorize it.
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