Dear Church Family  

This past Sunday during worship, I shared something God showed me in Church Prayer.  We were not on-line, so I will share it again here…. Pastor Phil had been preaching the week before from Joshua 6, when the Israelites marched around the city once a day for 6 days, then on the seventh day, they marched 7 times then shouted and blew trumpets, and the walls came down.  During Prayer, God showed me that when we pray, it is sometimes like those first 6 days.  We pray and nothing has changed.  The second day, we pray and nothing has changed.  The third day…. etc.  When we pray, there are times when nothing will change right away.  What are we going to do?  Will we give up and say, “This is stupid; why am I doing this, nothing is happening, God doesn’t care?”  Well, honestly, if we are in that frame of mind, it shows us the condition of our heart.  If we are saying that, are we really trusting and believing God when we pray, or more like throwing a coin in a fountain and making a wish?  We must remain steadfast, and continue to seek the Lord faithfully, taking Him at His Word and thanking and praising Him.  

But let’s be real – the warrior is a child, and sometimes it is really hard to keep praying when you see no change.  These are the times to reach out to a brother, a sister, or the church, and say you are struggling.  There is no condemnation, we all struggle at times.  The Bible says in Hebrews 10 that we are to spur one another on toward love and good deeds; and to encourage one another – all the more as you see the Day approaching.  

The Israelites had to do their part.  They had to obey, be silent, and march until the time they were told to shout.  With the help of the Holy Spirit, we too need to do our part – trust and obey, and keep standing in faith believing.  Ephesians 6 encourages us, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  We struggle not against flesh and blood.  Take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm“.  So there’s a question.  When we are having a tough time maybe we need to stop and ask – have we done everything to stand?  This is not a checklist of “6 Easy Ways To Answered Prayer”. No, this is getting real with God and asking Him if there is anything that may be hindering your answer from coming, or if it is that you have to wait on His timing.  Ask for his help in the waiting – sometimes He is aligning other things before He can answer your prayer.  So meanwhile, praise Him for what you do have.  Praise Him for Who He is.  Praise Him for all He has already done. Praise Him. 

The day will come when the Holy Spirit will lead you to shout and blow the trumpet, and you will see the hand of God move in power and in might!  Hallelujah!!