In celebration of Nancy's Voices of the True Woman Movement book release, we asked a few staff members and friends of the ministry to share their reflections on different chapters of the book. This is part 8 of a nine-part series. Enjoy!
I am asking Him for an army of praying women–in every state and nation–who will be obedient to His call and never tire until His will is done on earth as it is in heaven, until His spirit moves in the hearts of our loved ones and the needy souls around us (Fern Nichols).
Praying for those we love. It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? We know God has promised to hear and answer our prayers. We’ve even experienced His faithfulness, power, and provision in answer to our prayers. We desire to leave a godly legacy to those we love. And yet if we’re honest, prayer is a struggle at times. Why is that?
I’ve been pondering that question in my own life recently, so I decided to ask a group of friends if prayer is ever a struggle for them. Almost unanimously they acknowledged it was! Here are a few of their reasons why . . .
• Life . . . busyness, distractions, little quiet time
• Feeling unworthy
• Lack of passion or desire
• Unanswered prayer
• Problems seem bigger than God
• Believing God’s promises are true for me
• Unbelief
In her chapter Leaving a Lasting Legacy Through Prayer, Fern Nichols says we lose heart when
We grow impatient. We become fatigued. We succumb to Satan’s resistance. How easy it is to lag in faithfulness and perseverance when both time and our prayers hang heavy, seemingly suspended in midair.
At times it seems the only prayer we can muster is, “Lord, help me!” (Matt. 15:25)
So if you long to leave a legacy of persevering prayer, but find yourself “losing heart” or just unsure where to begin, Fern’s encouragement to find a friend and pray together would be a great first step:
I believe the most effective way to counteract our tendency toward faintheartedness is by uniting in prayer with other women.
As Ecclesiastes says,
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! . . . A threefold cord is not quickly broken (4:9-10, 12).
It’s true! There have been times in my own life when God’s grace has been poured out through the prayers of dear friends; times when my weak faith was strengthened by those who stood in the gap, prayed, and believed!
So—friend standing alongside you or not—how’s your prayer life? Does dialogue flow freely throughout the day between you and your Abba Father? Are you laying the burdens of your heart at His feet daily? Do you believe that He is able to do far more than you could ever ask or imagine in the circumstances your loved ones are facing? Are you running as a little child into the arms of your Father? Oh, how He delights to hear the cry of His children!
Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me? (Jer. 32:27)
Leaving a legacy of prayer . . . it can begin today!
Join the Discussion