Stand Firm

I know there is brokenness in the world. I know there are people who are struggling. But, my perspective has changed drastically since I began offering to pray for others who are broken.

Last week, I wrote an article for Unveiled Wife about protecting your marriage. At the end of the article I offered for readers to email me their prayer requests regarding their marriage. The response I got was unexpected.

The day the article came out I got two emails. The next morning, I had four more. And, they just kept coming. All day. All week.

Emails from all over the world. From women and men who were hurting in their life because of difficulties in their marriages. Story after story of brokenness and a need for prayer. I felt both saddened and honored. I was devastated by the thought that so many people were hurting. I also felt blessed (and a little overwhelmed) that God had sent these people to me, allowing me to pray for them and their marriages.

There have been times when I have not offered prayer because I am afraid that no one will respond, or if they do that my prayers will no be sufficient. But, it's not about me. It's about God and how He wants to use me. If He desires it, it will be and He will be sufficient.

I have been up early many mornings lately. During that time when my house is quiet, I have been trying to take the opportunity not to be busy, but to rest. To read, pray and write about what God is teaching me. The morning after the article, I was awake and was led to pray this, "Lord, if you desire for me to be a part of something bigger than myself, lead me there. Show me what you desire." Within an hour, the emails came. I had my answer.

Although you don't know these women and men by name or their stories, I ask that you would join me as I pray for them. Pray for broken, and in some case, shattered, marriages. Pray for me, as well. That God would continue to use me for His will and that I would follow his lead.

I am convinced that the closer we get to God, the more Satan attacks. He is uncomfortable with this closeness and wants to see us perish. I have experienced this first hand. Since I have begun writing about God and sharing the desires of my heart so openly, I have had more periods of stress and anxiety and doubt. It is important in these times to continue to seek God, not to become angry with him or forget him.

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

Ephesians 6:11

It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.

Luke 6:48

Will you stand firm in Christ with me?