Don't Pray Safe

This year I spent one evening at a women's retreat sitting at Jesus' feet. What is it you want me to hear LORD? I heard the sweet, still small voice of the LORD say "Don't pray safe."

"Don't pray safe"

I was not sure what that meant so I just let it soak in.

For several weeks I asked the LORD what do you mean, "Don't pray safe."

Over weeks and months the LORD peeled back the layers of my heart and mind and I gave me clarity through His Word, the Spirit and through prayer.

I had a safety net. I could pray "safe prayers". LORD if you want to heal this person, I know you can, but if not that's OK too. Where is the faith in that? Instead of praying what I thought I should pray over myself, my children, my spouse, or others, why not pray in the Spirit, out of the box prayers? Why not LET THE SPIRIT LEAD ME how to pray. What a concept. I know this truth and many who read this know it too. But out of the abundance of caution I pray safe. I pray sterilized prayers that cost me little and keep me feeling cozy and comfortable.

But what if God wants us to pray in faith? (James 5:15) What if God is waiting for a woman, a man, a young girl, a young boy to step out in faith, to walk on the water to Jesus and pray something totally outside of the comfort zone?

For example, maybe you have been praying for a loved one to get saved and as you are praying, the LORD leads you pray that he would be broken TODAY and today would be the day of salvation . (2 Corinthians 6:2) Oh no LORD! I can't pray that! "pray he would be broken?" What if he gets into a car accident? What if he loses his job? What if.... what if ....what if.
God is not pleased with our mentally exhausting imaginary "what ifs." I believe when our eyes our on ourselves and on our own ways, Satan can use those words "what if."

But God who delights to work all things together for Good (Romans 8:28) can change my what if into something beautiful when I let go and pray Spirit filled prayers. God desires our loved one to be broken so He can then build them up. It's ok to pray "Break him LORD until he has nothing left but to look up to you for salvation" Psalm 51:17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart.

But we often neglect this prayer. It's scary and it's not safe. So we pray safe. LORD reach him however you want to AMEN. That's not specific. Pray UNSAFE. Pray Spirit filled Spirit led prayers that may feel uncomfortable. It's a challenge. The LORD challenged me and He is challenging you. I recall several times when someone prayed an unsafe prayer over me, my child, or my circumstance and it built up my faith so much I still feel the radiance of joy.

Just a few weeks ago my husband prayed that the LORD would use me. It was 4:30am the Friday after Thanksgiving. I was heading out to do some shopping. I laughed in my spirit. How can God use me today? In my shopping? I was blessed by my husband asking God to use me but it just didn't make sense. I went to Target and then left and went to Kohl's. While in Kohl's I began sharing with a clerk, a young salesman about marriage and the blessings of how it works so well when Jesus is in the center. "That's not for me he said" "My parents have a blessed marriage but I can't seem to find anyone" I encouraged the man to trust in the LORD and went my way. What got into me I thought. Where did that boldness come from?

Then I remembered my husband's prayer. I smiled ear to ear!!

God did use me! Little me...on the Friday after Thanksgiving in Kohl's...

My husband could have simply prayed "God keep my wife safe and bring her home safe." But that's it. He went beyond. He prayed God would use me and God did. A total out of the box prayer.

The LORD loves when we pray specific prayers for specific needs. Not a genie in a bottle or santa claus request (please don't misunderstand) but think of Abraham's servant. He asked God to show him in a specific way for the LORD to show him and clearly reveal who Isaac's wife was. He said LORD I don't know this land and I don't know these people. Please LORD may Isaac's future wife show me kindness by giving me water to drink, and not just me, but my camels also.
Genesis 24:15 "Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out"
 I love it! This is an unsafe prayer asking a Giving God for an answer to a specific need and asking IN FAITH for a specific answer. God is a personal God is He not???

This is just a glimpse of what the LORD is teaching me about not praying safe. Pray Big because God is big. Pray in faith which = unsafe prayers. Uncomfortable prayers bless His heart. If we just pray what "we think" is right how is that inviting God to do a miracle? May the LORD teach us to pray prayers that go beyond what we can ask or think. Eph 3:20

Don't pray safe friends.

Pray as the Spirit leads!

May the LORD help me pray unsafe in 2015.
LORD Jesus, more of you and less of me in 2015. Jesus I don't want to pray safe. I confess to you that this is the easy way to pray. When I pray safe I am depending on my own wisdom and looking through eyes of the flesh instead of letting your Spirit lead me. Help me Holy Spirit to pray specific prayers and to take note as you answer and work mightily in the lives of friends and family. Asking all in the mightiest name of Jesus. Amen

"Call Me Dad"

Growing up as a little girl I felt blessed to have “two dads.” I had my blood father who was a loving man and I had my step-father who I adored and who taught me about Jesus and sacrificial love. However…it wasn’t always easy to have these two relationships and as a little child sometimes I was confused.

My mom met my step-father when I was 3 or 4. They married when I believe I was 5. My older siblings called him “Ruben” but I was encouraged to call him Daddy Ruben. I called him Ruben and sometimes called him “Daddy Ruben.”

We were a blessed blended family. We were not poor but we did not have extras. We never ate out unless it was a special occasion and even then it was In N Out or pizza not a restaurant. We did not purchase clothes unless it was back to school time. Toys were only purchased for birthdays or Christmas. I can recall my older siblings requesting to be involved in expensive extra-curricular activities and many times we could not afford it.

The LORD reminded me last year of one special time I had with my step dad. I know it was Jesus prompting my memory because I had forgotten about this for over 25 years.

My step-dad was constantly full of joy. He exuded joy. He was so friendly out going and others centered. Constantly smiling and striking up a conversation with a clerk or stranger. Everyone loved him…

As a child, I loved to go with him on errands! Even boring errands like the recycling place or home depot.

One day we went to the store arm in arm as usual…I saw a beautiful Barbie I adored. He saw me admiring it and said, “Mija do you want me to buy that for you”? I knew I couldn’t have it. I would have to wait until my birthday or Christmas and neither one were close by….Maybe he is asking so he can tell my mom to get it for me for my next birthday.

“Yes I want it.” I answered. “Ok mija. Let’s get it”

I truly remember this being one of the first times I received an extra special costly gift and it wasn’t my birthday or Christmas. I was so happy. I hugged the doll in the car. “I’ll do anything for this. I said. Thank you! Thank you! Do you want me to do chores for it? I’ll even pull weeds in the garden”

He told me I didn’t have to do anything. He simply wanted to buy it for me. I insisted, isn’t there something I can do to earn it? It’s expensive!

“Well…” he said. “There is one thing you can do for me. Can you call me Dad?”

 I can still to this day, so many years later, hear the softness in his voice when he asked me this.

“Yes Dad! Of course!” As a little girl, I remember thinking this is great! I don’t have to do chores! This is not payment. Of course I will call him dad, he is my dad, he’s my step-dad, but he’s my dad! I just got confused as others in the home called him by first name.

So fast forward almost 30 years later. It’s Christmas time and my dad is in heaven. I remembered this moment and began to cry. He was such a wonderful dad.

God spoke to my heart and said, “You see. I don’t want anything from you Laura. I just want to hear you call me dad”

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 (NKJV)

I love studying and learning the names of God. He is Immanuel God with us. He is our prince of peace, the Great I AM, the Alpha and Omega and so much more.

But there is just something so very special about our being able to call God “Father”  Abba means literally “Daddy.”

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God. 1 John 3:1 (NKJV)

Jesus called the LORD “His Father” many many times (some say over 100 times). In John 5:16-18 the leaders wanted to arrest Him because he called God his Father.

And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father." Galatians 4:6 (NLT)

Jesus prayed "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Mark 14:36

The names Father, Abba, or Daddy all imply relationship. A stranger could not walk up to my dad and call him “dad” he would not respond to them. But when I call out “Dad” my father will respond because we have a relationship.

This illustration with me and my step-father is so special to me because it’s the same as the spiritual relationship I have with God. I have been adopted in to God’s family. We were separated from our Heavenly Father because of sin. Jesus bridged the gaping hole of sin and united us again so by the Spirit of adoption we cry out Abba Father.

What does a baby do when she is in need? She cries. We are encouraged to daily, moment by moment call on our Father, our Dad, for our need. Not just physical need, but emotional need, spiritual need, ALL our needs are met in Jesus- the Great I AM.

Our Father wants one thing from you this Christmas JUST CALL HIM DAD. Just call Him Abba Father. Talk to Him, be close to Him and see that He daily wants to give you presents “just because.”

If you don’t know God as your Abba Father, ask Jesus into your heart! He is waiting for you to call! 

it's Spring and another time of year....Autism awareness

I haven't blogged in so long....I had a moment and am back at the blog....God's voice is so clear sometimes.  I was reading to Olivia about how Jacob wrestled with God. Gen 32. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2032:22-32)

I felt the Lord remind me about all the wrestling Chuck and I have done in praying for Isaac. As I looked at my old blogs Jan 2013 I wrote about wrestling with God. So very cool. As April 1 approaches I've been praying about what to share for April Autism awareness month. I'm still not 100% certain but  the Lord will confirm. Here are some things I have been pondering. #1 Autism is hard.  I pray God would use Isaac's life to move compassion in others --- those who raise special needs children need prayer. When I am weak He is strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10) #2 Acceptance not Conformity is needed. I used to think the most important thing for Isaac would be to blend in....get mainstreamed...be somewhat "normal". Now I realize...Isaac is made by God for God and to accomplish God's purposes. If I had one prayer for Autism awareness month it woild be this---Learn about autism, love and respect people with autism and be understanding that these kids and adults ARE DIFFERENT. They are different and that's OK.... Yes we can help with early intervention, etc, but God made them unique (and us too)...let's explore this uniqueness !! Isaac hss obsessions with certain toys. I used to think maybe one day he'll grow out of this or overcome this. Maybe yes, maybe not. Why not just focus on today???? Enjoy Gods blessings TODAY just as it is. Don't put so much emphasis on kids with autism "blending in" ...Isaac may never blend in...God might (and often does) use weak things to blow minds and confound the wise. (1 Cor 1:27)

May God use Isaac for His glory. May God teach us that different is not less. May God teach us to help kids with autism overcome hurdles but may we also see that the unique behaviors and characteristics of people with autism and other disorders/special needs/disabilities are made in the image of God. Remember, God made YOU special and loves you very much.