A Call to Prayer
**Do you need someone to pray with you? http://marriageuncensoredtalk.com/response/share-your-prayer-concern/
by Gail Rodgers
Whenever we find ourselves eaten up with worry, fear, anxiety, or devoured by the pressures of the day, God tells us to take note. Being consumed is a red flag and God gives us directions for just such times.
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:7).
There is an enemy of our souls and his goal is to devour us. God tells us to be alert. Take note when you are being consumed by something. Scripture tells us the enemy of our soul comes to kill, steal and destroy and we are to be watchful. Being consumed by fear, worry, gossip, a particular temptation or the pressures of the day will, at best, steal from you and rob you of peace in your soul and joy in the moment. At worst it can destroy health and relationships and your fellowship with the God who wants to help you.
So what do you do when you realize something is just eating you up? You resist as the scripture says. How do you resist? You begin to see worry as a call to prayer, inviting God into your circumstance to direct you and give you wisdom. You resist worry through prayer. (Phil. 4:6) You resist fear through Scripture, knowing God has said that He has not given us the spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). You stand firm in your faith knowing that the consuming downward spiral you find yourself in is not your Heavenly Father’s plan for you.
God cares about you. Remember: Your worry is a call to prayer. List the things that tend to devour you. Release them from your heart and mind by giving them to God in prayer.
Ask God to take the things on your heart and to give you His peace in return. Be prepared to ask for His strength to resist your worries each time they threaten to overwhelm you. Exchange your worries, in prayer, for God’s peace.
~Father in Heaven,
Thank you for showing me that worry is really a call to prayer. Help me to be alert and to run to You when I am being eaten up with worry or fear. Thank you that I can throw my cares into Your lap and stand firm in Your promises. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Questions to ponder: As mentioned in the devotional, what do you do when you realize something is just eating you up? Discuss Phil. 4:6-9 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians4:6-9;&version=31;
About the Author
This devotional was written by Gail Rodgers. Learn more about Gail: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/gail-rodgers/
21 Responses to “A Call to Prayer”
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Eve, I confirm with Fran: we are still learning too, and there is so much out there that we haven’t learned. Lots of things we are learning together here at this site. You are a blessing to me, and I loved your testimony today. You speak with such wisdom which I know is from the Lord. I am sure he is using you already to minister to younger women here at this site and in the community where you live. I admire you so much for taking the road you have. You are wise to seek God to guide your heart and your steps. I trust you are relying on Proverbs 3:5,6. That is one of my favorite scroptures. This is his will for us all that we acknowledge Him and trust in Him to direct our paths. It is obviously he has asnwered that prayer for you. Praise Him!!
Are you checking/clicking at the bottom of this page to receive other comments that follow? This is a neat thing!
Thank you, Eve..and in reading your comments to others on this very page..YOU are caring about others ..The mention of Jeremiah 29:11 reveals your heart in the Lord already at your young age!!! Have a blessed day and our prayers for each other will keep our minds at peace as we learn from one another and grow and grow! YOU younger ladies bless June L and myself!! We are still learning, too!! HE got my attention when was 33years old..HE was an “acquaintence” before then, but from that year forward? He became “Abba Daddy”!! And? It is interesting, here I am closing in on 64 in December, and I feel like a “child in His Presence” and rejoicing over that..My Mom and Sister, now residents of Paradise developed the same child-like Faith..and HE taught me through them!!! They both believed He was the Lord of the Impossible..and HE IS!!! (((((((Eve)))))))
Hi June L and Fran D, thank you both so much for your many words of encouragement and prayers (and to everyone else who have been praying). I seem to be having some problems loading my responses to this site, have tried a number of times, so i’m sorry if my responses keep repeating because i can’t see them.
Yes June, I am younger.. i’m in my early 30′s, with a long road ahead of me. Still many things to learn and experiences to grow from. I hope that one day, i too will be able to share my testimonies about God’s goodness and faithfulness to give encouragement to those around me. In the meantime, i am praying that God will continue to guide my heart and direct my steps.
Thank you Lord for the lovely ladies that we have her in this site, who can share with each other. I am so thankful for my prayer rooms and my prayer times everyday. I pray that I can help someone with there concerns in prayer as that is what I am in a warrior. God bless you all
Eve, I am glad you were encouraged by my testimony. Your last email sounded very positive. I feel God restoring your marriage, and in a few years you will be able to share with others as I have with you. If you don’t mind me asking…how old are you? I have been asking God to help me minister to younger women. I am 60…and am thinking you might be younger. And, when things look really messy between my husband and I… I rely on knee power where I get on my knees, and pour out my heart to God. Those prayers are so powerful because I am surrending to a powerful God. Isn’t it wonderful that we all have that privilege! Praise Him!!
I was received this devotional yesterday , today i read this devotional.Last night i had conversatition with my husband, i told him that i worried about this life, about our future ( we have financial problem )i was cry …….
This devotional remind me to pray and believe that he will always by myside.Thank You God.
Thank you Jackie for all your wonderful suggestions. I will be sure to start using the everyday things and events in my daily life as reminders to pray. :)
It’s heartwarming to read your testimony June L. I hope that in HIS own time, God will answer my prayers for healing and restoration in my marriage too.
Dianne, HANG IN THERE!!! I don’t know what you are going through, but i do know it is really tough. I am going through a difficult time myself with my husband. What keeps me holding on is the promise i made to love and be faithful to my husband through good and BAD times, in front of God, family and friends. I hold that very dear to my heart. Live one day at a time.
Thank you Jackie, for all your wonderful prayer reminder suggestions. I will be sure to use of some of the common things in my everyday life as reminders to pray. :)
It is so heartwarming to read of your testimony June L. I hope that one day, in His time, God will answer my prayers to restore my marriage too.
Dianne, hang in there!!! I don’t know the situation you are in, but i know it is really tough. I am in a difficult situation myself with my husband and the temptation to just walk away from it all is HUGE. BUT, the one thing that keeps me holding on is the promise that i made to love and be faithful to my husband through good and BAD times, in front of God, family and friends. It is easier to walk away, then to stay and love, especially in difficult times. I hold that promise very dear to my heart and i need to run this race the best i can. No one else can run it for me, and i don’t want to live the rest of my life with the question ‘what if?’ hanging in my heart and mind. God has blessed our marriages, and He will protect it. Let us not tear it apart with our own hands. Continue to pray and trust in Him. Live one day at a time. God provides us grace to live one day at a time just as He provided the Isrealites manna, one day at a time. He will carry you and hide you in the shelter of His wings. Seek comfort and refuge there.
This devotion reminded me of the anxiety I felt on Thursday and Friday. My son and his wife were in China, and he had said he would call every other day. The last call I had from him was on Tuesday so that meant he was to call Thursday. I didn’t get a call and became frantic. I had no way of reaching him, and became very anxious and worried. The things I imagined happening to him and his wife in a strange country seemed like something out of a book. However I prayed and claimed God’s promise to give me peace once I turned this over to him, and I did. Phil 4;6,7. God gave me peace beyond understanding until I received that delayed call on Saturday night when they got back to the states. My son thought he called me on Thursday.
Dianne, I am praying God will restore your marriage as he once did for me. God’s word says he hates divorce, and we should avoid it whenever possible. Sounds like your church is telling you the truth. Pray daily for God’s powerful restoration of your marriage, and you will see changes in both you and your husband. Remember also when you have had problems that have distanced you it may take a year of being together to feel comfortable again. Someone told me that once after my husband and I had separated, and it was true. That was 3 years into our marriage and now we have been married 38 years. Things still aren’t perfect and they never will be, but they are better, and God sustains me each day through prayer, bible study/His word, and Christian fellowship/worship wirh other believers. The world supports divorce regardless of the situation but God’s word does not. Don’t give up. Find a Christian to pray with you or request it on this website. GOD BLESS YOU!
Praying for you Paula that God will help you let go of those fears about your unborn child. You sound like me. You are doing the right thing by visiting this devotion and trusting God for the things you have no control over. Keep us informed when the baby gets here. Praying for all of you ladies and your needs today. PRAISE HIM!
eve, there are a few tricks my friends past on to me to help me remember to pray. which work very well now i have a regular routine.first i painted one fingernail slightly a different color then the rest , when i seen it it reminded me to pray. where we live we have a tornado siren that goes off everyday at noon when i hear that it reminds me to pray. i set my coffee maker the night before i place a postit note on the front that says ‘ Good Morning Lord”
plus i have subtle reminders placed in every room that reminds me.
“ecspecially By My Phone, that keeps me from gossiping!’ hope some of these help you.
this devotional hit the right spot for me. i have been living in fear and anxiety. i am a natural worrier and thinker. I need to learn to pray, let go and trust that God hears all my prayers and fears and that He is battling them for me. To exchange my fears for His peace. To trust in His promises in Jeremiah 29:11, ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’.
I do believe Lord, help me to overcome my unbelieve. Amen.
This message hits home with me today. My husband is in the military and so many times I worry about everything that’s going on in this world and how it affects our family. Thank God for His word and the truth that helps me get through my day.
This devotion has blessed me today. My son Benjamin was sick last night but I kept praying and believing that God will cure him. I am so glad that we serve a loving Heavenly Father who is intricately involved with our lives and meets us where we need Him most. God has given me peace this morning as when I left for work, I noticed that Benjamin had improved. I await to see Him get better when I get home this afternoon as I believe in the power of prayer. Please remember me and Benjamin in your prayers and thanks for supporting each other in this devotion list.
Liviana
I needed this today. thank you so much Lord for giving us a plan to overcome. As soon as I realize that I’m in battle I Pray till it passes then I read scripture aloud. If it worked for Jesus when he was in the wilderness , It’ll work for me as well. Praise the Lord for the victory He has given us.
This was sent just for me today! I thank God so much for it. I am 31 weeks pregnant with our second child. I know that God has promised us this child (He gave me the name about 10 years ago), and I have felt Him tell me several times that this baby will be born healthy, normal and whole. However, just like everyone else, I have to “fight the flesh.”
Last week, I ate a couple hot dogs, and have been worried about listeria. I haven’t been sick or anything, but just the fact that they weren’t steaming hot when I bit into it has worried me to pieces. I know now that God does not want me to worry about this. It is just an attack from the enemy to try to steal my joy. Well, guess what? he’s NOT getting it!!! Thank you Jesus for the peace that only yYOU can give.
Please pray for me that God will help me let go of my fears and worries and to simply trust in Him.
Thanks!
Paula
Its not easy, but one of the things that I feel like God has been
speaking to me about is focusing on Him.
Joyce Myer said: The more you talk about something ( fear, worry ) or think the more you create its power, and that can even be something positive too.
I’m not writing to tell you I have overcome this, but have
struggled with this area and need a break through.
But I believe if we start seeing who God is in our lifes, we will
become more confident that no matter what comes our way, we can face
it with Him.
My goal is to keep praying each day and asking God to give me
clearer direction for each day.
I’m so glad for this devotional.
We got to stop limiting God and start openning our hearts to truth!
God Bless,
Rachael
P.S. This is something I have heard:
Start fighting to live for Him, and don’t allow death to
take its toil in your life.
Thank you Gail for your devotional this day, as it is encouraging to pray. I the communications with my Lord all day long.Their is not a day when I consult with my Lord, almighty. Prayer is very important to me!
Dianne – It seems you are so very troubled, I’m sorry but so glad you have “hooked up” with this daily devotional. It seems like they always hit right on just at the right time don’t you think? You sure DO have hope. I recently heard a good preacher say that in times of problems, turn your thoughts away from those problems and concentrate MORE on God our loving Heavenly Father – over and over and just think of Him and His love and His answers and His promises and His presence and His availability and remember that He said (and I say this in modern day language) “Forget about the problems of the world, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” He is just so fine and so powerful and so there to love you and see you through. Turn your eyes upon Jesus and away from the problems that are in your life – concentrate more on HIM – over and over and over and over. I pray for you and know that with Christ, nothing is impossible. A friend in prayer. Lynn
“…the consuming downward spiral you find yourself in is not your Heavenly Father’s plan for you.”
I’ve been thinking it has been. I’ve been thinking that I have been experiencing something like what King Saul did because I didn’t stay separated from my husband longer than I did and/or because I returned to him.
I won’t say why I left, because this is the Internet, but I got a lot of guidance from many sources that I should never reconcile with him, or at least that I should stay separated longer–to give us both more time to grow individually.
My church staff/leadership disagreed about that, and told us that I was taking too long. I had a couple of experiences that seemed to support what they said, and my husband seemed to be changing, so I did return–even though most of my “guidance” told me otherwise.
I was still convinced that God wanted us divorced, or to at least have a much longer separation (so that we wouldn’t tear the marriage down faster than we could build it up). I felt guilty about going against God’s will. I thought I was giving up God’s promises* for my future (*as results of “walking out on faith”). Suddenly a material things started breaking down and new financial problems arose. It was looking like God was not blessing my return. Then my dad died because of medical/medication errors.
It still doesn’t look like my return is being blessed. Things have been getting worse between my husband and me again.
So…I have been thinking that this downward spiral is God’s will for someone who has not followed His will/guidance.
The Bible doesn’t overtly support divorce for the reason I left. It allows separation for limited, short periods, but the church leaders/staff were indicating that 9 months was becoming too long.
Almost all of the guidance I got from God (it seemed) contradicted the Bible, but it felt solid in my heart and it rang clear in my mind– and this was my usual measure of truth.
So I have been thinking that all this bad stuff going on–especially between my ears and in my heart–has been the will of God. Today’s devotional is saying differently. When I told my pastor about God’s guidances to stay apart, pastor said the satan’s messages can seem like truth, too. So, that took away my only internal measure of the truth.
I’d like to believe that my misery isn’t punishment/discipline, as this devotional says.
Needless to say, I’m confused. But I thank you for this devotional because that statement felt like a little seed of hope for me. Maybe it’ll be OK to get closer to God again.
Thanks :-}
I humbly leave this precious card for those commenting and reading at the site today. Had no sooner posted, than opened my mail and here was this card that illustrates Gails words so beautifully. God Bless Each and All…And may we all have His Peace this day filled to overflowing with His Joy!!..and that possible no matter our earthen challenges!
http://www.alighthouse.com/tttoworship.htm
Thank you, dear Gail, for this powerful devotional! This is a “telegram from the Lord” to every last one of us! Today this is exactly what my husband and I do..the moment that peace is interrupted? Time to pray! Just wish had discovered and put this great truth into practice sooner in my life..and am so grateful for every young woman who is blessed to read this today…for the opportunity to apply these great truths you’ve outlined early on in their lives! HE has a perfect timing of His revelations in each of our lives, of course..But wish had put these principles into practice sooner in mine! Today, we, daily, speak to a huge mountain here in Jesus’ Powerful Name. Just a few years ago, this seemingly impossible situation would have completely unraveled us. But now we actually Praise Him for it..for what we’ve learned, for how it has ‘grown us up’ in HIM! And we BELIEVE with all our hearts that Victory will come with Him doing the battle for us! We celebrate a 43rd Wedding Anniversary this day..and we are so very, very proud of that..especially given the huge hurdles HE has helped us jump over! Philippians is one of my favorite Books in the Bible..and when we “resist worry”..There’s another strong verse..Phil. 4:4..”Rejoice! And Again I say Rejoice”!!!! Thank you again and again for reminding us of these amazing truths!!! Yesterdays and today’s devotionals..absolutely power packages for life! Hallelujah and Praise Our Lord!!!!