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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

My Prayer Walk


Please join us in welcoming our Guest Barista, Courtney Joseph today!



I Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."


My prayer walk begins as I pull the crumpled blankets from a sweet nights rest up "Lord, bless the man who slept here last night - give him strength for today’s trials, integrity for today's temptations and wisdom for today's decisions." I go around to the other side of the bed and pull the blankets up "Lord, help me, help me be a blessing to my husband today, be patient with the children, and wise for today's challenges."


I walk into the bathroom - bathtub toys are strewn across the floor, I pick up the match box car "Lord, bless my little boy who dreams big and plays hard - help him use his strength for you." I lay my daughter's bath baby back into her bucket - "Lord, bless my little girl, she has so many words to say, help her be wise in her word choices."


I walk down to the kitchen, crumbs are wiped from the morning breakfast table "Lord, use this table to comfort weary souls and encourage my little pilgrims on their journey". I wipe the first chair "Lord, help our leader husband to be healthy so he can complete the ever mounting tasks on his plate." I wipe the second and third chair "Lord, give the children laughter in their adventures together - knit their souls together." And then the fourth... "Lord, help - I just need help...tears bubble under the surface...no more words for her need to be said - the Spirit already understands what words cannot express."



Then into the living room, pillows are straightened prayers are said for visitors, friends and family who once sat there. Dust is wiped from the piano as praise bellows in my heart for the joy that has come through the blessing of that black wooden box with ivory keys. Memories of children singing and dancing flood my heart with overwhelming joy. The joy is broken...the newspaper is lifted from the entry way - the world's troubles vomit on me - prayers are lifted for my city, state, country, and President.


My heart is heavy as I lift the heavy laundry basket and carry it out of the room and up the stairs - the basket seems to get lighter as I thank the Lord for giving us these clothes in abundance. The drawer is opened, the clothes slip into their comfy home ready to be used.



I walk past the television and pause - "Lord, have we dishonored you by the things we have watched on there? Help us to not waste our time on useless viewing which turns into useless living."



I walk to my computer...there it sits...the world at my finger tips...it calls my name...it woos me to come and sit for a while.

My Bible is right beside the keyboard...there it sits...God's only written truth there at my finger tips...it calls my name...it woos me to come and sit for a while.



Why am I so torn - why does the computer's wooing seem stronger than the Bible's? Pause for repentance - "Father forgive me for weak moments where time spent on my computer has caused me to neglect your word."



I open my Bible and drink a tall glass of refreshing living water that is spilt on every page. Sweet refreshment - I rise refreshed as distant little voices call out "mommy"...temptations to carry my heavy burden rise with me. I move forward leaving my burden to lie at the feet of Jesus. My heart is light - I walk in peace - I walk with the King - the King walks with me.


Today - pause, take the time to pray over the people in your home, over the places they sleep, their toys, the television that will capture them and keep them hostage for as long as you allow, the computer which can bring life or death into your home. Let God use a daily prayer walk to transform your family...if you don't pray for them - who will?

In Him,

Courtney

Courtney is a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute with a degree in Evangelism and Discipleship. She has been married 12 years to her high school sweet heart and home schools her son and daughter (ages 6 and 4). She enjoys blogging in her spare time at http://www.womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com



Walk with the King!

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8 Comments:

Blogger Heather said...

Thanks for this walk through your day. I enjoyed over-hearing your prayers and was reminded to put prayer at the center of all I do. I'm glad to meet you Courtney - I'm a Moody grad too!

November 18, 2009 at 6:22 AM  
Blogger Nancy said...

Wow.... that was so poignant for me. So convicting, encouraging, just what I needed to hear. I am looking at my Bible right next to my keyboard right now. I am signing off to fill my cup today. Thank you.

November 18, 2009 at 7:50 AM  
Anonymous Laurel@FromMyHeartToYours said...

Oh you have gotten to the heart of my heart - prayer! Isn't it a precious gift? Your words are a beautiful symphony of sweet notes that will sing to me all day long, I know!

Thank you for this.

Jesus bless Courtney today in all she sets her heart to. Give her wisdom and discernment and woo her evermore towards your heart for her as a wife and mommy. Put your priority list above her own and speak sweet notes to her as she walks through her day...In Your holy name, AMEN

Blessings from Canada

November 18, 2009 at 12:36 PM  
Blogger strokeofliving said...

This post was visual and dead on correct. We must remember to always take time to spend with the lord just like we take the time to do anything else.

November 18, 2009 at 12:42 PM  
Blogger Courtney (Women Living Well) said...

Thank you all of you so much for your encouragement!!! And Laurel - thank you for the sweet prayer. Tomorrow on my blog I am posting a video blog about praying "all day long" and setting your timer to remind you to stop and pray!!!

So please stop by tomorrow at http://www.womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com
Much Love,
Courtney

November 18, 2009 at 1:20 PM  
Blogger Denise said...

Bless you for speaking to my heart today.

November 18, 2009 at 1:38 PM  
Blogger Jennifer said...

Beautiful ideas! Thanks so much!

November 19, 2009 at 8:14 AM  
Anonymous Kelly at Tabithas Team said...

What a beautiful visual picture of making prayer a priority. I especially like the part about choosing the Bible over the computer; I have to deal with that choice every morning and make the laptop stay in the other room until I am done with my Bible Study time. We know what the right priority is, but that computer can be sooo tempting!

November 19, 2009 at 1:34 PM  

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It is good to hear from you... thank you so very much for leaving a note on the table. That makes us smile!

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