Saturday, August 28, 2010

We Will Not be Shaken




Father,

I have so much on my heart this morning...yet once again my thoughts are so scattered and jumbled.   How thankful I am that You know all my thoughts--before I even think them--and Your Spirit intercedes on my behalf.  I have set You always before me.  Because You are at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

The needs of those I love and care about are so great, Father.  If not for You, things would seem so hopeless...overwhelming, at best.  But, You, Oh God, are faithful and can be trusted. I have set You always before me.  Because You are at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

I think of A and the custody battle she is facing...a battle in which she doesn't know where to turn for legal counsel...a battle she has no financial resources to fund...yet a battle she must fight or lose her precious B forever. My heart is breaking for her and I feel so inadequate to help her.  Yet, I know You have called me to do so.  You have placed her in my life and I will answer the call.  Guide me, Father, giving me wisdom and discernment to her needs...needs that go far beyond loving her and that precious baby.  Remind me not to lean on my own understanding but to trust in You and You will direct my paths...and more importantly A's. 

Lead us to the attorney You have picked out for A...one that will have B's best interest at heart...one that will fight for truth and justice...one that will be compassionate toward A's situation...one that will work with her financial status.  I pray too that You will place this in the district with a compassionate, understanding judge who will show favor to A. And I pray for the father, that his heart will be softened, that he will repent and turn back to You.  I pray this whole situation can be settled quickly, in the best interest of B.  I pray that A will keep her eyes fixed on You, that her peace will be great, and nothing will cause her to stumble.   Remind her that You, Oh God, are faithful and can be trusted. May she set You always before her.  Because You are at her right hand, she will not be shaken.

I think of C, going in for major surgery next Friday.  We've never been close and I don't even know how to reach out to her.  The enemy would like to take me places that I know are not of You.  Help me to keep my focus on You and how You want me to minister to my sister.  I pray that she will keep her eyes fixed on You and she will be in perfect peace...peace that surpasses all understanding.   Remind C that You, Oh God, are faithful and can be trusted. May she set You always before her.  Because You are at her right hand, she will not be shaken.

I also think of my dear friend, D.  Father, her surgery has left her in so much physical pain these last six weeks...not to mention being so isolated from people.  I am so thankful that she draws into You during times like these.  Still I've sensed--and even heard in her voice, the few times we'ved talked--that she is struggling with discouragement and depression.  I so long to be with her but can't, due to distance and my own financial resources.  

So, I am asking You to meet her needs, Father, in ways that only You can do.  Be all that she needs today, tomorrow, and everyday.  Be her companionship--or send people to visit--encouraging her and lifting her spirits.  Walk through the pain with her, giving her comfort and relief in the way and timing You know is best.  Draw her even closer to You during this time of physical healing...using it as a time of Spiritual healing as well.  I pray that D will continue to keep her eyes fixed--steadfast--on You and that You will keep her in perfect peace.   Remind her that You, Oh God, are faithful and can be trusted. May she set You always before her.  Because You are at her right hand, she will not be shaken.

I think next of several of my friends who are struggling with relationships.  I shudder, my own struggles in that area still raw, as I think of how the enemy is at work trying to keep us from being effective for You by tearing apart viable relationships with each other.  The phone call the other night made me realize how devastating some of these situations are...people withdrawing from ministry involvement because of them.

I pray for these gals--all such dear friends of mine--that they will seek You (and only You) for the healing they need...that they won't let the pain from these relationships allow them to build walls and wear masks that keep others out, preventing them from ministry and community with others, as You designed.  Help them to forgive as You forgave and to love as You love.  Remind them that You, Oh God, are faithful and can be trusted...even when people can't. May they set You always before them.  Because You are at their right hand, they will not be shaken.

Father, I admit I still struggle with some of the hurt from this summer.  I thank You that You have spoken so clearly to my heart and shown me that I cannot withdraw...that I must keep following Your calling for me...teaching me to forgive as You forgave and to love as You love.  So far, You've only led me to reach out in new areas...areas where I haven't had to deal with those who inflicted the wounds.  Wednesday night is going to be a big night for me as I obey You and attend the get together with women who hurt me so deeply.  Thank You that You, Oh God, are faithful and can be trusted.  I have set You always before me.  Because You are at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

You tell us to cast our cares upon You because You care for us.  I know this to be true. And so with a scattered brain, I haved poured out my petitions before You, with thanksgiving...for You are worthy of all thanks and praise.  And I thank You that I can go forth in peace...a peace that goes far beyond anything I could ever comprehend, amidst all the concerns flooding my mind.  What a release it always is to lay my requests at Your feet and to get up, full of such peace, reminded that You are faithful...You can be trusted...and I will not be shaken.


11 comments:

Wanda said...

Such a beautiful prayer Debbie and thanks for the reminder that He's ever present and I don't have to be shaken despite what may happen in this life.

Father, I join my sister Debbie in lifting these petitions before you. I thank you for arising in every situation, God. I thank you for showing up in power. Thank you for healing, reconciling, providing, and making whole Lord. Strengthen this sweet sister as she stands focusing on you and walking obediently along the paths you've destined for her. In Jesus name, Amen

Lily said...

Praying along with you.
~Lily
www.neverfadingwood.blogspot.com

MTJ said...

Hi Debbie,

I am touched by the depth of your prayer offered up to our God. I stand in agreement with you that we walk in love and forgiveness just as He loves and forgives us. I confess with you that God is faithful, He has not forgotten who we are, the hurts we've felt and the urgent needs in our lives.

May the blessings of God overtake you and those you intercede for.

Blessings and peace.

MTJ

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

The mark of a strong kingdom heart is a praying heart.

Go forth, mighty woman of God, and live your kingdom conferment!

peace~elaine

Karen said...

Joining with you in prayer for these needs...and I love your affirmative repetition after each request....

Peggy said...

ooohh Debbie, I'm standing together with you, lifting up these very REAL needs and your own heavy heart for A,B, C, & D... and you!!! Amen...that He is able...He cares for YOU and each one...He is Your sufficiency!

We are more than conquerors in Jesus Christ! You are a light and an anchor for all these people and He is Your Anchor, Your Light!

I ache along with you and love how you ordered your many prayer petitions as you called them out & declared YOU WILL NOT BE SHAKEN!
That is His strength rising up inside of you and I thank Him for His strength in you to battle for these petitions! So thankful that you have mountain moving faith and we hold up your arms as you hold up the cries & pleas & trust!

Trusting & believing with you ~
for WE WILL NOT BE SHAKEN...you got the enemy shaking in this one...
You GO Girl in the power & might of the Holy Spirit...

Peace in Christ,
Peggy

Anonymous said...

I added myself to follow your blog. You are more than welcome to visit mine and become a follower if you want to.

God Bless You ~Ron

Denise said...

Praying with you.

Mike and Debbie said...

Thank you for all your comments and for those of you who have joined me in prayer.

I have found there is such power in praying God's Word. So,I tend to pray a lot of Scripture when I pray...oftentimes it is personalized, while other times, it is word for word as found in the Bible. Several verses seemed to ring over and over in my mind as I was writing out this particular prayer...resulting in those repetitive affirmative statements I didn't list them when I wrote the prayer. Here they are, in case you would like them.

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God,
keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." Deuteronomy 7:9

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”- Isaiah 26:3

“Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”- Psalm 119:165

“I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”- Psalm 16:8

Tea with Tiffany said...

Hi sweet Debbie,

(I was here this weekend but didn't comment yet so I am back again today)

Your heart is His. And I am touched by the tenderness you have for those all around you. I praise God for the way He will continue to mend your heart as you enter into relationship with those who hurt you. I agree with you in prayer for the precious friends you mentioned.

Debbie, you are near and dear to me. Keep on walking close to Jesus. You are beautiful.

Father God, I pray for a supernatural peace to cover your people right now. Allow each one of the needs Debbie mentioned be ministered to in a way only You can, LORD, be the great comforter. Be the solid rock and perfect shelter your daughters need. Thank You the way you love and care of us. You are worthy of our praise. We thank you for listening and answering our prayers. In Jesus name, amen

Mike and Debbie said...

Thank you so much, Tiffany...for your words and your prayers. You are dear to my heart, as well.

God has answered in typical God fashion in A's situation!!! I blogged about it earlier this evening.