Prayer Calendar Archive

by Lisa Hall international prayer coordinator

Books shape our lives. One that I’ve just finished reading and am enthusiastically putting into my top-10 list is Dallas Willard’s Hearing God. In it, he shares from many Christian leaders throughout Christendom, and a common thread in hearing God is through asking him questions.

So, what questions are you asking God right now? What are you wrestling with, and what is God teaching you? Our lives are complex, and it takes time and space to work through these things with God, but he often surprises us with truths about both himself and us.

Recently, I’ve faced some physical challenges that include exhaustion and required me to lie down every few hours to recharge. Being a Type A personality who just wanted to push through the fatigue, I was surprised when my body told me that this was not an option – I had to rest.

In frustration, I questioned God, “How am I supposed to get all my work done if I have to stop and rest so often?” I realized after the first month of nothing improving in my health that I may be asking God the wrong question. And I changed the question to, “OK, so if this is my reality right now. What do you want to work in my life as a result of this?”

God was gracious to give me a word picture to bring clarity in what he was trying to teach me. During prayer one morning, I looked up and noticed my charging phone resting on my open Bible. God whispered in my heart, “If you remain plugged into me, I will give you everything that you need.”

Two things happened inside me when he said that. I was convicted that. without knowing it, I had slipped into self-sufficiency mode and had been trying to control my life and ministry work in my own power. But he also taught me something about himself.

God would accomplish what he wanted done in the ministry of Women of Hope in his way and his timing. He still wanted me to partner with him, but everything that was essential would come from him. And in his kindness and grace, he was inviting me into that beautiful place of abiding in him.

God’s words were so graceful. I can’t tell you the weight that was taken off of my shoulders when I heard them. I was not to worry or carry the burdens surrounding me but instead simply to give my life to him and be obedient to what he showed me to do. I understood the lavish grace that he was giving me as a gift. 2 Corinthians 12:9 came to mind, and it felt like it was specifically written for me. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

What about you? What is it that you have been carrying on your own but need to give over to God? Where in your life do you need to receive the gift of God’s grace that he generously offers us?

I love so many of the other Scriptures that show us God’s grace. Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Or 1 Peter 5:12b: “My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.”

Friend, may we seek to live in that place of abiding in God. As we bring him both our questions and ourselves, notice and delight in how God gives you the gift of his grace and himself to accomplish his good.