If you are spending quarantine at home, then you are spending a lot more time than you are used to with your spouse, kids, or roommates. You might be learning more about them spending more time in prayer for them. We want the best for those who we love and we often ask God to do lots of things in their lives, but when's the last time you asked God what He wants to do in the lives of those around you? We all have ideas of what we think would be best for our spouses, our kids, our roommates, our friends. But God knows more about what our loved ones need than we do.
If our ideas aren't aligned with God's plans, it can feel a bit like dancing offbeat.
Dancing can be fun when you're moving in sync. But if you're stepping on each other's feet, it's a whole different experience. The same is true when it comes to prayer. The only thing more powerful than praying for those in your home is partnering with God in praying for the people in your home. So how do we do this? Start by trying to listen as much you speak. Proverbs 3:5 tells us not to try to figure things out on our own but to let the Lord lead. When you dance with a partner, whether it's the tango or the two-step, there can only be one lead. Likewise, if we want to partner with God in prayer, we can't both lead. Listen for God's voice. Ask what He wants for your loved ones and friends, then follow that direction - even if it doesn't initially make sense. Next, share your concerns. What do you fear for the ones you love? Confess those things to God. Tell Him your worries and ask for His help. "Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down" (Philippians 4:6-7, MSG). Praying this way changes us as much as it changes the people around us. Like a dancer learning to let go of fear, you'll find that you stop thinking about the steps and start to move with the beat of His heart.
Today's Reflection:
When you pray, does feel more like conversations or monologues? Did you read anything today that you could try the next time you pray?
When's the last time you asked God what He wants for your loved ones? Take a few minutes today, and ask Him to give you a word or a verse for the people in your home. Write down what comes to mind and ask the Holy Spirit to confirm it as you pray over the next several days.
At Anchor Church, we exist to love and lead one another with the hope of Jesus. We hope this devotional is an encouragement and an inspiration.
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