Expecting Miracles Through Prayer

Day 2 of my 28-Day Writing Challenge...

Something I'm looking forward to in the next 12 months.

To be honest, an easy answer would be to go on vacation, read 60+ books, organize my attic and sewing/crafting room, potty train Elsie (wait, I really DO need to work on that!), or focus on building my Etsy shop.  

Despite my desire to see those things come true, what I'm REALLY and TRULY desiring to see happen this year is MIRACLES.  

I WANT to experience God's miracles in my life, today, tomorrow, and the next day.

I've committed this entire year to spending more time in prayer.  Daily prayer for my children.  Daily prayer for Joel.  More consistent prayer for my family, friends, and neighbors.  

This morning Joel preached about this exact same topic of intercessory prayer.  

"Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant."  Genesis 25:21

Isaac knew of God's promise to his father Abraham, and interceded for his wife Rebekah due to her barrenness.  And God answered his prayers...  Rebekah conceived an bore twins, Esau and Jacob.  Wow.  A MIRACLE.  Yes, God's provision and His faithfulness shown through an answered prayer.  

I WANT to know that God is answering my prayers.  

I WANT to experience those miracles.

So... if I don't ask, if I don't seek, and if I'm not willing to intercede and stand in the gap for those needing those miracles, how can I expect to see and experience miracles in my life today?

So, you must be asking yourself.  How is she spending more time in prayer?  How does she find time to pray daily for all of those people and things in her life?  NOT easy, I confess.  But it's been a conscious realization that my relationship with God is only alive when I talk to Him.  I invite Him into my day by acknowledging His presence.  I thank Him.  I ask Him for strength.  I ask Him for patience.  I share with Him my frustrations and my supplications.  Prayer isn't planned or scheduled.  It's not structured.  I don't get on my knees (even though I do that sometimes), or lock myself in the closet.  I. Just. Speak.  I cry out.  I'm aware of His presence and it makes the world of difference knowing that He's here with me during every waking moment of my day.  Wow!  But no, it's NOT easy.  

Do you ever find yourself daydreaming?  Or... what about those thoughts you have when you're doing the dishes, showering, cleaning, nursing the baby?  Those are the times I'm trying to keep my thoughts captive and consciously make time for prayer.  If I find myself thinking about my sister in England, I take that exact moment to pray for her.  When I find myself thinking about my son and wondering how he might be doing at school, I stop and pray about him and his teachers.  When I'm nursing my baby Noah, I try not to let my thoughts wander off to what I "could" be doing instead, but I intentionally intercede on his behalf, as he isn't able to do it for himself at such a young age.  Get it?  It's NOT easy.  But not impossible.  

Jesus said in Matthew 7:6-8: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."  So... that is why I'm asking.  I'm asking and wanting to see miracles.  

And this... "You do not have because you do not ask God.  When you ask, you do not receive,because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."  James 4:2b-3.  

So...  are you wanting to see God work in your life?  Are you wanting to experience change?  Do you want to see the miracles you're praying for in you and in those around you?  Are you asking God to move?  

Hmmm... just some thoughts.