Tag Archives: Prayer

Firewall

14 Jan

Firewall

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”  1 Peter 1:7

 —-

In the eye of the storm,

The flame of faith,

Flickers and dims,

Holding perilously,

To yesterday’s truths;

Praying.

 —-

Satan’s doubt,

Quenches the flame,

Reducing it to an ember,

As the storm tarries.

 —-

A cry for help,

Faint, but heard.

 —-

Then, in a moment,

The flame surges,

Grows, strengthens,

When joined by the faith,

Of interceding saints,

Building a firewall,

Of committed prayer,

That banishes doubt,

And fuels the flame,

With the testimony of miracles.

 —-

Stand with me,

When the cutting winds blow,

Then I will be strengthened,

And ready to join with you,

When another saint’s flame,

Begins to dim.

—-

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Lord, Rest Here

13 Jan

Rest Here

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17 KJV

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Lord, rest here.

Comfort in this humble home,

Shine with Glory through our prayers,

Lighting the way in our darkest hour.

 —-

Lord, rest here.

Sitting beside me as I read Your Word,

Explaining each question

as I meditate the passage,

Highlighting special scriptures

 when I need an answer.

 —-

Lord, rest here.

A misty image as I try to see Your face,

What Heaven must be like;

green, pure, peaceful,

Content at Your feet.

 —-

Lord, rest here.

Set Angels all about for the moments

 You must leave,

Keep anger and temptation and evil at bay,

Helping us become the people You need.

 —-

Lord, rest here.

I could not bear a single day without You,

I could not consider a moment

      without the touch of the spirit,

I could not imagine a thought

  without Your Son in it.

 —-

Lord, rest here.

For this child is Yours,

To mold – and shape – and place –

In Your world – in Your Perfect Will.

—-

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Feel the Anointing?

10 Nov

Anointed Blanket

“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”  1 John 2:27

Have you ever walked into a church and felt the anointing? Have you listened to a song and felt the presence of God flowing over you? Has someone laid hands on your shoulder as you were deep in prayer and felt the power of God shoot straight through you like a charge of electricity? Have you reached out to caress an old worn Bible and felt a tenderness in your hand? Have you ever placed a prayer cloth over your head or around your shoulder and felt a calm pass through you? We all have “God Moments” when there is no doubt about His presence. But, have you ever felt the anointing in the little things?

I’ve been told that people can tell when others are praying for them, it’s the anointing crossing the distances we cannot. The anointing can go into the battlefield with a soldier, into a prison cell, into a hospital room or into a classroom with the person in prayer sits in an office or bedroom miles or countries away.

Recently someone gave me a small knitted blanket with a bag of donations, one I suspect was knitted for a baby boy (it’s blue!). When I touched it I could feel the anointing of loving prayer, likely spoken as each row was knitted. I keep it in my travel bag, what comfort and peace it brings, no matter where I am.

I wonder if we leave that same anointed feeling as we walk through our daily lives. Does the accident victim feel the comfort of the Holy Spirit as we whisper a prayer in passing? Does the stranded motorist feel the angels of protection, placed in prayer, as help is summoned. Does a hurting person feel the hug of God as we fold them in our arms and pray? Does the inmate feel “something” as they open the letters of encouragement mailed off with a seal of prayer? How much do our prayers make a difference?

I can only give as much anointed prayer as I have worked to receive through personal time with God. I can only share the anointing I have been filled with through hours of prayer. How much do I want to give? How much do I want to make a difference? Lord, use ALL of me.

Lord, God, let me never forget that the comfort I can share may be the only moment of peace in a person’s week, month or year. Let me be like that small blue blanket, stitched with love, that still feels like and smells like the anointing of God. Draw me continually into prayer. Amen.

By Linda J. Humes

Written 6-2-2010

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EDEN

8 Oct

Cat in sink

“The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.”  Isaiah 50:4

It’s late.  Everyone is finally off to their own rooms, preparing to sleep; some are already successful.  I head for my quiet spot, the master bathroom.  It’s very small, built for usefulness, not flair.  With the door closed, as it will (which is almost), all the lights on and the exhaust fan rattling out the household noises that remain, it is my only refuge.  There I read and write and pray and listen for God.

Before too long a paw reaches under the door and pulls it open enough for one (or more) of my cats to come in.  At first they are content to lap at the water dripping from the faucet, soon curling up in the oval shaped sink, lightly dozing.  Most of the time they wait patiently for me to finish, but on occasion they will try tenaciously to get onto my lap for hugging and petting, sending books and Bibles, pens and paper flying.  Giving in is the best defense, fighting back by trying to chase them off creates a greater distraction than taking a few minutes to love on them.  They so desperately want to please, having no idea that they are in the least bit annoying.  Soon I set them back down, retrieve my papers and books and go back to praying and listening – and hoping once again to be anointed and used by God.

There are times when I’ve wished I could remain there for days at a time, but responsibility calls.  I have spent many wonderful hours there, in communion, not wanting to leave.  Fatigue and worry escape me there – as does time, sometimes putting my night’s sleep at risk.

It’s just a bathroom, with its own white noise and its own bright light, generally shared with several purring cats, waiting contently in the sink – but to me it becomes Eden.  A place where I go to seek the face of God and talk with Him in the cool of the evening.  It’s there that I remember to thank God for the little things that He does to show me His love.

I thank Him, that even in the inner city, without a natural setting to run to, I have a bathroom, big enough to hold one small bookcase and lots of pens and paper.  I thank Him that I have cats who remind me to always take time for a hug and a kind word.  And I thank Him for the understanding that no matter where I am, God will be there to meet me.

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OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

18 Sep

baby & adult hand

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. Psalm 8:2

The other day I took my 6-year-old son to the mall for “one-on-one” Mom-Son time.  We saw a short 3-D movie, “T-REX”, the one where the dinosaur drools right in your lap as he eyes you for a potential lunch item.  After the movie we ate lunch (30 restaurants to choose from and he goes for Burger King  –  AGAIN!) and talked a while, then we decided to do a sightseeing lap around the mall.

About 2 months ago I started working Saturday mornings, the day I usually spend with the boys.  We always went for breakfast (all you could eat buffets!) and then went to the park or ran errands around the valley.  When my schedule changed I went to the boy’s school and asked the principal about taking each boy out on rotating Fridays.  She gave me her approval as well as her blessing; Mom-Son Friday came to pass.

Every Friday at noon I pick one of the boys up.  We talk, eat and watch a movie (of the boy’s choice); not necessarily in that order.  By 4:00 PM we’re on the way back to pick-up the other two and head home.  This particular day was Jon’s day.

As Jon and I walked around he chose the shops he wanted to tour through.  Being 6 he chose only the brightest and most colorful shops.  No clothing  –  mostly shops with toys, hanging objects, shelf decorations and rocks.  One of the shops we went into seemed innocent from the front.  There were rock slab wind-chimes, polished stone necklaces, cut stone book-ends, and similar items throughout.  Jon was mesmerized by the color and shine.

As we neared the back of the store we saw voodoo and witch-doctor paraphernalia on the floor and walls.  I tried to steer Jon clear of the items, but he nearly ran into a chair with a demon head carved into the seat back.

Jon stopped immediately, put his little fists on his hips (as only a 6 year old can do) and stated quite clearly, “Well, these people don’t know Jesus.”  After which he quickly dismissed himself from the store.

Trying to help lift his spirits, I started searching for signs of Jesus in every store we entered.  Finally, as we reached the end of the mall, I spotted a shelf with porcelain figurines of Jesus, Mary, the nativity, the crucifix and various other Christian themes.

“There, Jon,” I said.  “There’s Jesus.”

For a moment a smile formed on his face, which was quickly dismissed and replaced by round determined eyes and firmly set fists.

“Well,” he said.  “I just want to know why Jesus is there  –  and women with no clothes are right there!”  I followed his small pointing finger to the shelf immediately below.  There on the shelf were porcelain nudes, three times the size of the Christian figurines.

“I’m just going to go get Joseph (our youth pastor) and we’re going to come back here and pray.”  At that point he took is offended little self out of the store and decided that he had seen enough of the mall.

So there I was, at 49, looking so hard to find Jesus that I allowed myself to overlook the offense, the insult, of placing Him among the very decadence He came to this world to overcome.  In that very store were dragons and Buddas, crystals and prayer beads, nudes and seductive paintings.  How many times do I close my eyes to the things that offend me?  How many times have I felt it was the way of the world and there was nothing I could do?

Out of the mouth of a babe came the words that had been spoken into him.  At 6 years old he was ready to take a stand against the things he knew were wrong, and he was ready to find someone to stand with him in prayer.

Thank you, Jesus, for babies who remind us how to be the best we can be.

By Linda J. Humes
Written 2-24-1999

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A Pocket Full of Miracles

17 Sep

Cross coin

1 Thessalonians 5:17  “Pray without ceasing.”

 James 5:16  “. . . The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.“

All of my life I’ve had a terrible habit that I haven’t been able to break.  My mother always lets me know how unladylike it is – and I agree – I just can’t stop!  No matter how hard I try I just can’t keep my hands out of my pockets.

Over the years I’ve lost my ability to remember things (even my name once or twice).  To compensate for my memory “challenge”, I have been known to write myself notes and stuff them in my pockets.  Sometimes the notes prove useful, but most of the time they get wadded and creased and become illegible by the time I truly need them.

One day, while browsing through a Christian Bookstore (my very favorite pastime), I came upon “A Cross In My Pocket” coins and medals.  They come in several shapes and sizes.  I began to search for five separate medals, each with its own special purpose.  Before long I had found just what I wanted – the miracles had begun.

The largest coin has a cross on the front with “Dad” engraved over the top.  On the back is a prayer of thanksgiving for who he is.  This coin would represent my husband.  With a silent prayer I slipped him into my pocket.

The next largest coin says “Jesus” across the front and it cites a scripture on the back.  It is the heaviest coin and represents my heaviest burden at this time, my teenage son.  So easily he could turn the wrong way, yet through prayer and intercession I have faith that he will remain on the right path.  With a silent prayer I slipped him into my pocket.

Next comes a nickel with a cross stamped out of the center.  It was new and shiny, and the perfect coin to represent my 9-year-old son who has not yet shown an interest in drawing close to the cross.  With a prayer I slipped him into my pocket, along with the other two.

Next is a coppery penny with a heart stamped out of the center.  This is the coin, which represents my 7-year-old son.  This is a child abundantly filled with a love of God.  This is a child that will, one day, help the broken-hearted heal from their wounds.  With a prayer he was slipped into my pocket.

The last coin is a light aluminum coin with a cross on one side and the “Cross In My Pocket” story on the other.  This coin represents the special needs of the people of the church.  One day it represented my two youngest sons’ birth mother, the next day an ill friend, and the next an evangelist with a special prayer request.  This coin changes daily, yet it rests in the closeness of my pocket, in covenant with the prayers for my family.

This is my pocket full of miracles.  Every time I thrust my hand down into my pocket I feel the coins and I begin to pray.  I caress each coin, identify the shape and design with my fingers, and say a special prayer as I hold them.

Like the bit of sand that irritates and festers in the shell of the oyster, the small metal coins that fill my pocket, and jingle as I walk, will bring forth a precious gift, more beautiful than a pearl, in miraculous answered prayer.

What a small price to pay to always be reminded of those people I love, dozens of times a day, and offer up specific prayers to guide their precious lives.

Lord, remind me daily that I can never pray too often for the wonderful people you’ve placed in my life.  And, even though I may never see the answer to all of those prayers, may I always remember that You have the answers in the palm of Your hand, and that you will release them when the moment is right.

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A SOLDIER

16 Sep

Praying Soldier

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. [20] And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.     1 Corinthians 3:19-20  KJV

I have a picture of a young black man in fieldworker’s clothes holding a small baby.  At the bottom of the picture is a caption “I Cannot Do Great Things, But I Can Do Small Things in a Great Way”.  The Lord brought me to that picture over and over today.  But, how Lord, how can I do small things in a great way?  How can I make any size difference in God’s Kingdom?

The Bible says that all portions of the Body are essential to the whole body.  No one position has greater worth, no one portion has lesser worth.  All are called to a position, to serve in a position they have been prepared for.  I can do small things in a great way.

I have been called to be a soldier.  I’m not a General, I’m not a Captain, I’m not a Lieutenant – I’m a soldier.  I will not lead the troops into battle, but I will fight to preserve the Kingdom, I will devote all my abilities to protect the General, the Captain and the Lieutenant.  They will never have to worry about looking back for I will be there – and if I fall, my brother/sister will step forward into my place.  We will move always forward in battle to make a safe place for those we have yet to meet – those who have not yet heard the truth – those who have yet to come to the Lord.

What can I do as a soldier?  How do I battle?  How can I do small things in a great way?  How?

I am a soldier.  I wage war with the words I speak.  I can wage war against evil or I can send turmoil among the troops I walk with – all by the words I choose to share.  I can speak life or I can speak death.  I can spread comfort and healing or I can spread gossip and dissent.  I can do small things in a great way?  It’s my choice.

As a soldier in the Kingdom I have the tremendous responsibility to protect those above me when they are at their most vulnerable.  I can scan the horizon while the General prepares the way for those that will follow.  I can be the strength to hold his arms, the inspiration for his words, the confidence that allows him to rest.

As a soldier in the Body I can pray a cover of protection over my Pastor and my Church.  I can intercede when the spirit of confusion moves into the assembly.  I can watch the body while the Pastor is concentrating on delivery of the message – critical to the hearts, prepared and hungry, in the assembly.  I can intercede when confusion and fear overcome the musician or soloist.  I can set the shield against the attack of the enemy.  And, if I feel overwhelmed, I can engage my brothers/sisters to join with me in battle.  For it is my job, as a soldier, to pray for a safe haven for the searching to come into.  It is my job to pray a cover of protection over those called to provide the atmosphere for the message for those whose hearts have been tendered by Jesus.  It is my job to intercede when the enemy attempts to steal away the anointing – so carefully placed.  I cannot do great things, but I can do small things in a great way – I can pray.

I can hear the faint whisper of a name and pray.  I can see the faint image of a face and immediately begin to intercede.  I can be a thousand miles away at the time, or ten thousand miles, it matters not.  I can wage a warring battle for a soul in need – even when I have no clue as to the situation at hand.  I am not big, but I am mighty.  I am not brilliant, but the wisdom of the ages rests within me.  I have no material wealth, but I will inherit a jeweled, golden mansion.  I am quiet and meek in this world, but determined and confident in spirit.  I am not great – I cannot do great things – but I can do small things in a great way.  I am a soldier for God.

But  –  What if I choose to fail?  What if I choose to step away and let you carry your burden as well as mine?  And what if you choose to leave it to someone else – and so on – and so on – then who will prepare the way for the lost?

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WOMAN OF GRACE

9 Sep

 woman in prayer

“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”  Proverbs 31:30 KJV

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Born of sacrifice,

Birthed in grace,

Bone of man’s bone,

Blood of man’s blood.

—-

Chosen to serve,

Cleaving to the covenant,

The promise of Adam,

The promise of Abraham.

—-

Grace to bring forth,

The children of promise,

Destined to call,

Destined to serve.

—-

Grace to pray truth,

Into the nation,

Grace to endure,

Intercession by day,

Intercession by night.

—-

Unwaivering love,

Unmerited favor,

To see past the pain,

Of sin’s temporal hand,

To the promise of life,

This side of the cross.

—-

Faith in the truth,

Abounding with love,

To believe in the birth,

To believe in the death,

Of life and of Sin,

Of spirit, of soul.

—-

Grace to bloom forth,

As the rose in the desert,

With fragrance and velvet,

From the thorns,

Rigid arms.

—-

Rising to God,

In manifest witness,

Of grace and of mercy,

In truth from above.

—-

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The Mustard Seed

2 Sep

Mustard Seed

Matthew 17:20 “ . . . If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

While enjoying a moment of prayer and being enveloped in the blessing of anointed music, I was touched by the greatness of God. The God that brought the children of promise out of Egypt; the God that parted the Red Sea; the God that brought life to the womb of a virgin Israelite girl; the God who created life and set the sun, moon and stars in their orbit. The God that give life to the grass, flowers, animals and man – no two alike. The God that holds every thought and every emotion of each of His children close to His heart, and turns His head toward the broken, sincere prayer.   What a Mighty God We Serve!!!

As I sat in thanksgiving of how great He is, I rejoiced in how He loves us so much that He has packaged all of His power into a faith that would fit inside the tiny mustard seed. A seed so small, that I could hold hundreds in the palm of my hand. That thought fills me with such joy. The faith of Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Peter and Paul would fit into five tiny seeds that rest in the crease of my palm. The faith to lead a nation, to speak life into dying people. The faith to perplex natural events and raise the dead back to new life. The faith to stand, and when they were weary and no longer had the strength to stand, by faith they stood.

Jesus, I pray that I will be content enough with myself that I will want to abundantly bless another in my smallness. I don’t want to feel that I must be well known and in frontline ministry to be able to make a difference. Help me to remember that I can rest in prayer, and with the faith the size of a mustard seed, send up the sweet savor of a miracle to be birthed in another, half a world away.

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