Don't Pray for Me, Part 2

Some of you prayed for me yesterday.  You rascals.  :)

God is faithful.  He did the Ephesians 3:20 thing: 

"...far more abundantly than all that we ask or think..."

He even sent a very specific type of bird to fly around the perimeter of my property for about 10 minutes to remind some of us that had gathered to pray in my living room of His presence.  Of His control.  Of His attention to detail.  Of His sense of humor.

Of His God-ness.

I know it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Him.

And I know that it is evidence of the power of prayer.

The power of the cross.

The power of His holiness and perfection.

Grace.

Though we don't know all the details of His master plan, we are reminded yet again of His many promises in Scripture.  It humbles me.  It excites me.  It keeps me centered.

So even though you didn't know what you were praying for (other than not me) thank you for being a part of the bigger picture in my life and the lives of those around me.  I love the way prayer works.  The way that people can be led to pray and not know why.  The way that people can be led to pray...know why, but not know what about.  This whole unity/community through prayer thing is nuts, I tell ya.  Nuts.

And someday, I can't wait to tell you the rest of the story. 

Frankly, I can't wait to know the rest of the story myself.  :)

When you are tempted to doubt His ways...don't.  Don't do it.  Don't give in.  Satan wants nothing more than to paralyze us with fear and throw us off track with deception and doubt.  Don't let him.  It sounds so trite.  So cliche.  I get that.  And at many points in my life I probably would have rolled my eyes and used my best California girl accent to deliver a very loud "whatever" right in the face of whomever said such things.  I might have even accompanied with a finger snap.  But I'm telling ya...God is God.  We are not.  And even though it is sometimes scary and uncertain and uncomfortable...He has your best interest at heart.  He has the best interest for those around you at heart.  He really does. 

And He is faithful.

Seriously.

I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.
I live and breathe God; if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy: 

Join me in spreading the news; together let's get the word out. 

God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears.

Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him. 

When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot.

God's angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. 

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see - how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.

Worship God if you want the best;
worship opens doors to all his goodness.
Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God.

Come, children, listen closely;  I'll give you a lesson in God worship. 

Who out there has a lust for life?
Can't wait each day to come upon beauty?

Guard your tongue from profanity, and no more lying through your teeth. 

Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don't let it get away!

God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan. 

God won't put up with rebels; he'll cull them from the pack. 

Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you.

If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there;
if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.

Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time. 

He's your bodyguard, shielding every bone; not even a finger gets broken.

The wicked commit slow suicide;  they waste their lives hating the good.
God pays for each slave's freedom;  no one who runs to him loses out.

Psalm 34, The Message