The importance of prayer

I have read books on prayer, heard sermons, and even talked to friends about their prayer life. I get it. I know it is important. I mean if Jesus himself choose to have quiet time and pray to God then I am pretty sure we should be doing it to. But sometimes no matter how much my head understands its importance I can’t get my heart to agree.

My quite times haven’t been all that great this week. And I am pretty sure that is an understatement…my quite times have been awful. I just sit there. I know we need to be still and listen but there is also the side of actually praying and speaking to God through Jesus. I just haven’t felt like it though. I can’t bring myself to pray because I think in my heart I am doubting God will do anything about it. I sometimes get overwhelmed by the need and instead of just offering it up to God I sit and try to think how I can solve the problems I see everyday. And that is why it becomes overwhelming…because I try and do work in my own strength and not rely on him. Do I think I am bigger than God? Or that he doesn’t see exactly what I am seeing?

So I thought since I am struggling a bit this week with prayer I would ask my supporters to help me lift some of these situations up to God.

(1) I had written a prayer request for a young boy named Ivan. And God has heard our prayers and has provided for him. Our social worker was able to speak to the mother and grandmother and it was decided he would live with his grandmother for the time being with the support from his mother. This isn’t a long term solution but it has provided him with good loving care for now. We can continue to pray that God would show us what the next step is for Ivan and his brother to ensuring he is well cared for and loved.

(2) A friend’s dad has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. His name is Mario. If we could all keep him in our prayers and ask that God would heal him and take away any cancerous cells in his body. And we could pray for the family as well, that God would be with them and that no matter what his plan is for Mario that they will all be drawn closer to God through this.

(3) My friend Sarah is doing a 3-day outreach to inner city kids in Washington, DC. She is leading the team and we could pray for unity among the team members and that God would open doors for her and her team to share the gospel through their acts of giving and just spending time with the kids they will meet. Pray also for wisdom and guidance through decisions she will have to make.

(4) At the beginning of September Dwelling Places will be renewing contracts for all staff members. I am asking for prayers for Rita for wisdom and discernment as she is left making decisions of how the organization and which staff will move forward into next year. And to that end there is a board meeting tonight for Dwelling Places. We could be praying for that time as well and that decisions being made would be in line with the vision for the ministry and with the word of God.

(5) Kids in Uganda are on holiday this month from school. Pray for their time at home with their families. Pray that they would be loved and welcomed back into their communities and that they would remain healthy.

(6) And I can’t help but think we should be praying for all those we know that don’t yet know God. I sometimes forget the world we live in is a constant battle between good and evil but the truth is Satan is out there everyday trying to win souls to his side. Pray for opportunities to share with our friends and family and pray that God would open people’s eyes and hearts to his truth.

Short updates:

• The guys are coming back to Dwelling Places to do to continue with the lessons to teach the kids Ultimate Frisbee. I love that my job involves playing Frisbee in the middle of the afternoon.
• I am going out to dinner tonight with the volunteers that have been here from the UK and living with me in the cottage. They leave on Sunday :(
• We have a new volunteer arriving today from the US. His name is Ryan and he will be teaching at Dwelling Places until mid December.
• My South African friend Sarah is having a birthday party on Saturday evening. I actually have plans to go out on a Saturday night. Sweet.