Prayer CHANGES things..!

I woke up this morning feeling the urge to pray. I wasn't sure what about, but I definitely knew WHY. See, this past year has been very tumultuous for me. So many highs that were really high, and lows that were very low. Through it all, God has been faithful. He has been consistent. Unlike me. Just yesterday, a friend asked on her blog, what our new year's resolutions are. I used to say NONE, because I know I will break them. Though I did not write a response on that forum, I knew in my heart of hearts, what my new year's resolution is. It is very simple, yet hard to do: to get closer to the heart of God. Easy, right? No, not always. You wake up one morning and start your day without praying, you keep meaning to finish a particular chore or task before going to your quiet place, in your quiet time, to meditate on His Word and say your prayers. During the course of the day, that time just never emerges and before you know it, you are so exhausted you've fallen asleep on the couch, fully clothed. You wake up the next day to repeat the same routine, and before you know it, a whole week went by without you even opening your Bible once! Imagine that? A man of God once said anything you do repeatedly for at least two weeks IS a habit. Imagine having my kind of days for a whole month? Is that a bad habit or what? After two months, I had to admit to myself that I had forgotten how to pray and seriously work on changing my ways. then life happened. One low season led to a lower season and I just couldn't remember where I had left God in my situation. In my despair, I gave up, I thought I was 'letting go, and letting God' but truth is, I gave up and started observing my situation(s), waiting to see what and how God would do it next. He just never gave up on me, He consistently proved Himself faithful. I consistently proved myself unworthy.

So, this morning when I woke up, I had been deliberating in my spirit that this year will be different. I will not only pray and study the Word for myself, we will do so as a family from now on. Consciously, consistently and committedly. Instead of just praying for one another, we will be praying with each other. I got up, picked up my Bible and prayer book and returned to my bed. I read out loud to my sleeping child who woke up at intervals to acknowledge my presence with the brightest smiles a little, angelic face could muster. I felt embraced in His presence, and I knew the Holy Spirit came down into that room and joined our meditation session. After reading the Word, I spoke the Word into the life of my child, myself, my husband, and our family unit. I felt the need to thank God for His grace and protection and did that for most of the prayer session, finishing off with the song 'You Are The Living Word'. Then, I started my day...

Just as I was feeding my child, the phone rang and it was my husband on the other end. He told me he was in a cornfield. Naturally, I thought he was joking. Curiousity got the better of me though, and I asked him what happened. He repeated that he had driven the car off the road, into a cornfield in a neighbouring town. I half thought he was pulling my legs, and asked for further information. I have to say that it has been snowing all day yesterday and today, and the snow is especially heavy in that town. He was on his way back home and driving along a road lined with trees on his side, but with a vast cornfield on the opposite side of the road. The snow conditions meant poor visibility and slippery roads, and as careful as he was driving, the car skidded, spun around a couple of times before finally coming to a halt ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD, in the cornfield!!! All I could say at that point was: PRAYER WORKS! We both thanked God for His many blessings, and the fact that we did not start the new year with a bereavement or any other cause for grief and hung up. Needless to say, I am still reeling from the amazing shock of it all. I am stunned beyond belief. I know that I know, that my redeemer lives and is fighting my corner. If it had not been for the Lord on OUR side, where would we be? The same God that sent His spirit to watch over my child and myself while we were alone at home, sent His spirit to save my husband from harm. What more proof can a person ask for of His amazing grace and constancy and consistency? Now it's my turn to be constant in His presence and consistent with His Word. Wishing you all a fabulous 2010 with amazing testimonies...