Iron Rose Sister Ministries

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Published: 17 February 2016

• prayer

Verizon marketed a catchy question we often ask when passing through areas with poor cell reception. Last Friday, I was driving in the mountains from Denver to Estes Park, where cell service is a bit spotty. The beauty of God’s creation is a hindrance to cell towers and a consistent phone connection, but the drive is definitely worth it!

Board President, Katie, and I had already been talking for a while, but we had transitioned to some prayer time when I began to navigate some of the mountain roads.

I started our prayers by lifting to the Father several personal and ministry issues that we wanted to leave in his hands. Katie listened and offered her silent “amen.” After a time of silence in my prayer, Katie thought I was taking a pause and wondered if she should start praying aloud now herself. Nope. The call had dropped.

I called her back and continued my prayer, unsure of what she had heard or not.

Following another time of silence, Katie began her prayers, thinking that I was finished. Nope. The call had dropped again, but it had taken us longer to realize it that time.

When we finally got connected again, we chuckled about the way in which we didn’t want to interrupt the other person’s prayer, and were unsure about how much the other person heard, but that, really, it didn’t matter.  God had heard us.

God’s ears do not depend on a cell tower. His attention is not limited to only one person at a time. “Can you hear me now?” God’s answer is always yes!

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Published: 16 February 2016

• prayer

What is prayer? Lifting up words to God? Communion with God?

Is there a difference between praying and saying prayers?

We train our children to pray, which may start as saying prayers, but can transform into a prayer-filled relationship that fulfills the verse that admonishes us to “pray without ceasing.” Prayer is as much a lifestyle as an act.

So, should you “fake it till you make it?” What do you do when you don’t know what to pray?

Actor Cary Grant said, “If you don’t have faith, pray anyway. If you don’t understand or believe the words you’re praying, pray anyway. Prayer can start faith, particularly if you pray aloud. And even the most imperfect prayer is an attempt to reach God.” Do you agree? I do!

And one of the ways to pray words that lead you to a deeper faith is to pray using Scripture. Yes, the Spirit interprets the groans we cannot express (Romans 8:28), but we also have the prayers of others that can express what we are unsure how to say.

Here are a few examples from the Psalms:

Troubled? Psalm 4:8

In peace I will lie down and sleep,

    for you alone, Lord,

    make me dwell in safety.

Grateful to God? Psalm 100

Alone? Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk

    through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

    for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

    they comfort me.

Repentant? Psalm 51

Impatient? Psalm 27:4

Wait for the Lord;

    be strong and take heart

    and wait for the Lord.