Prayer Offers Stunning Results!

With the weather warming up I have enjoyed getting up early on Saturday morning and walking down our gravel driveway to the newspaper box. My special quiet time with the Father begins with a fresh brewed cup of strong black coffee and the stillness of my office. The sun was barely peeking above the horizon when a loud crashing sound from the kitchen interrupted my time with the Father. Even though startled, it was a painful and familiar springtime sound. Our large and recently cleaned windows had claimed another victim on an ill-fated flight.

Anxious, yet hopeful, I quickly headed to the kitchen to look out the window and onto the deck. My eyes were quickly drawn to the small young bird lying still on the cushion of the chair. My heart sunk a little thinking about the large sound and the very small bird. He had hit way too hard to survive the blow. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up and remove it from the deck, deciding instead to delegate that sad chore to my husband.

Finally heading down the hill of our driveway, I couldn’t help but think of the small young bird on the cushion, so peaceful and yet, knowing his fate. This softening of my heart made the morning walk with God, hand in hand, and a very special time together. We may have started out hand in hand but by the time we reached the box, it was heart-to-heart. I felt His presence walking beside me, and His peace speaking to me. Turning now to head up the driveway, with newspaper in hand and my dog Charlie leading the way, my eyes were drawn above our tree line to a huge white cross hanging perfectly in the beautiful blue sky.

My mind can reason the cross was the result of airplanes flying across the sky. Even knowing this my feet stopped and my heart was impacted by what I saw. Nothing happens by chance with God, and I experienced God’s presence, His Might, His Amazing Saving Grace, planted perfectly against a bright blue backdrop. You see when I started down the driveway my heart was heavy; He lifted those burdens when I left them at the cross. I asked for clarity and direction, and He showed me the cross.

I just stood in the driveway and wept. I joyfully extended my arms upward and attempted to capture all the saving grace God offered. My cup overflowed! Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Everything I needed was right in front of me; God’s grace, mercy, and unconditional love.

In the book of Philippians 4:6-7, God’s Word tells us to pray about everything, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” My walk of prayer was still not finished. My Spirit-led workout continued up the driveway and around our home. Praying continually for our home, the grounds, the family and even the farmers and visitors on the grounds, all will be blessed. Finally, I got on the 4-wheeler for a Holy Ride and asked for God’s blessing on our entire farm, and our neighbors as well. As a result of our prayers, things happen that wouldn’t otherwise happen.

Praying is something we can do anytime and anywhere. Because God is personal he invites us to share in His work through prayer. As we pray, God’s Word goes out into the world and amazing things happen as a result. Isaiah 55:11 promises “It is the same with my Word. I send it out and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

If you want the world to change start praying. Pray for our homes, our families, our land, our work places, our churches, our neighborhoods and the places we visit and shop. Not just once but daily! Have you ever thought about making an impact in your community through prayer? You can adopt your street and pray over every home that day. The bonus is the peace which only Jesus Christ can provide when you spend intimate time in prayer with the Father.

After finishing my walking, riding, and praying, I sent my husband to the deck to take care of the poor bird. He returned saying “There’s no bird on the deck.” At that point, I put on my bossy pants attitude and marched him out to where the bird lay resting. Huh? Then it occurred to me, “He must have just been stunned. Wow, he got knocked down, but he didn’t stay down.”

I couldn’t help but see myself in the situation. There I am bumping into trouble trying to do things on my own. God had to paint a huge white cross in the middle of a big blue sky to help me see. Yes, prayer offers stunning results when we pray.