Selfless Prayers

My prayer for the past year or so has been for ears to hear God clearly when he speaks and a heart to respond without hesitation (because the longer I wait/hesitate, the more opportunity I give myself to justify not doing what God is asking of me).  I have grown in this and obeying God has gotten easier.  Praise God!

But the down side is that when God starts having his way in my life, the devil gets scared and starts fighting against all that God is doing. (It's actually one of the ways I am assured that I am right where God wants me to be.)  This week has been very frustrating and stressful for me. Nothing major really, just a lot of small things adding up.  And the devil for sure is taking full advantage of every moment he gets to make me think I am failing or that I can't keep going like this or that I should just give up.

If you've ever read "This Present Darkness" or "Piercing the Darkness" by Frank Peretti it is a real eye opener to what is going on in the spiritual realm, behind the scenes as we go through our day to day life. I brought this up because I definitely see this attack as retaliation for my obedience to God.

One of the things God has asked of me is to intercede for certain people or situations. It is very hard to obey God in this when I feel like I have enough of my own struggles I need to be praying about. My kids, my struggles, the things that are close to my heart need my attention.  And yet, I have chosen to selflessly obey and have been praying as God as asked. Knowing that he will take care of my concerns as I put myself out there for others. (Actually, it almost helps me escape my circumstances and stop focusing on them. It helps me be grateful.) But I can't help but think that those whom my heart hurts for would be closer to victory if I spent my efforts on praying for them.

So if God is asking you to pray for me (and I do believe God moves full circle so that we are "bearing each other's burdens") you had better obey him. Because I need it. And God will take care of your own when you take care of his own.