Rebuke in Prayer
>> Wednesday, December 15, 2010
I was deeply challenged and encouraged by my Pastor's messages on prayer this past Sunday. He spoke on private prayer in the morning, and on the importance of the prayer meeting in the evening. I found myself especially challenged by the morning message, as this has been an area of my life that has suffered since I've been "at home." No longer do I have long car rides to and from work, during which I empty my heart to the Lord and pray for strength to get through the day. Now my days starts with a bang when Ky wakes up, and every spare moment is spent scrambling to keep up with him, my housework, and of course "Quest the Pest" (our adorable and huge dog).
During Pastor's message, I found myself rebuked. Despite all of the craziness, I need to find a time to pray. Not just breathing a prayer for help when everything is caving in around me, but a time to really PRAY. Maybe as I'm nursing the baby? (wouldn't my prayer life really take a jump! I think I spend most of my life feeding that baby)Or doing the dishes? Or folding the laundry?
I realize that each day will be different, and that a "set time" is harder with my current lifestyle. But I was determined to find the time! Yesterday, my time was while in the shower. Normally Kyle sits in his bouncer happily for... oh... maybe two minutes? while I'm in the shower. I get out as quickly as I can, and start drying my hair. He loves it when I dry my hair, and calms down pretty quickly. Well, yesterday I took a shower for probably 15 minutes! During which time he didn't make a peep, and I prayed aloud to my God.
I found myself truly rebuked in prayer. God guided my words and heart to many areas of my life. The things that I was praying about/for changed as He worked. Instead of praying for the Lord's provision, I began praising Him for His provision. Praising Him for Himself, His promises, His past faithfulness. Truly He rebuked my desires as I prayed, and drew me closer to Himself. It was such an encouragement to my soul!
It's amazing how a rebuke from the Lord is encouraging. He doesn't rebuke and turn away, but rather He softened my heart to change it's focus yesterday. I praise Him for that, and pray it to continue in my prayer life.
