Praying for Peace

My friend Amy posted a link to this blog post on her Facebook page recently. It's a prayer to Jesus about being anxious...and about laying that anxiety at His feet. I love the honesty and humility of this prayer. And I love that I can pray this way, especially in these early morning hours when I am awakened by anxious thoughts.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Dear Jesus, I've memorized this Scripture, taught it, preached it and prayed it
for many friends going through very difficult seasons of life. Today, however,
is a day I humble myself before you and surrender to these commands and promises for myself. It’s not the first time, and it won’t be the last.

Jesus, I am anxious, so I need grace even to obey this command. I know you’re not mocking my sensibilities and emotions… you’re way too compassionate to do that. I know you’re not asking me to be a stoic… for you are gentle and humble of heart.I know you’re not asking me to pretend and pose… for knowing you is the end to all such nonsense and non-reality. But clearly, you’re warning me about the peril staying stuck and turning inward with my shock, concerns and worries.

So, by faith, I’m getting up and coming to you this morning, bringing my
earnest prayers and impassioned petitions with me. Jesus, it was you who turned
the chaos of an unformed world into the magnificent cosmos of creation.
Therefore, most certainly, you can enter the chaos swirling all around me and in
me, and bring order and beauty. I don’t know how you’ll do it, I simply know I
cannot do it.

For the things that deeply grieve me, bring your tear-wiping hand. For the things that greatly offend me, keep me from a critical and selfish spirit. For the things that profoundly confuse me, grant me the perspective of heaven and gospel sanity. For the things over which I have no control, give me a fresh vision of the occupied throne of heaven. For the things I do have control over, grant me wisdom and strength to act accordingly. Please help me steward my anger, my sadness, and my weariness to your glory. I don’t want to waste this moment or these feelings.

Now my thanksgiving… Jesus, I have no reason to doubt either your mercy or your might. You gave your life for us upon the cross. You have risen to make all things new. You are unremittingly advocating and praying for us. No one loves us more than you do. I have seen you do astonishing things before. Do astonishing things again.

Please send and set the transcendent peace of God as a sentinel in my
heart and mind. O, loving King of glory and grace, guard and protect my heart
and mind from the lies of Satan… the whisperings of gossip… and unbelief and
cynicism, which are ever stalking in these seasons of stress. So very Amen, I
pray with hunger and hope, in your most blessed name.
(written by Scotty Smith)

While We Were Enemies

In light of the recent news story about burning the Quran, I wanted to give my thoughts on the subject (not that they matter much). My point of view is strictly "religious", but I will make one brief political comment here: As American citizens, Muslims have the constitutional right to practice their religion (as do Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, atheists, etc.), and individuals have the constitutional right to burn religious books. Enough said about that.

To get straight to the point, this is a pathetic example of Christianity. It's no wonder the world is confused by, fed up with, and hates Christianity and those who claim the name of Jesus (not to mention that Jesus said that we'd be hated). These "Christians" have forgotten the Gospel. They have forgotten the kinds of people that Jesus came to rescue. Jesus ate and drank in the homes of pagan, Godless people, and He loved them, healed their sick, and even forgave their sins (!).They have forgotten the kind of people they themselves were before they were converted, if indeed they are. They have forgotten that we are to love our enemies and be kind to them and share Jesus with them, no matter who they are. Yes, I know, everyone is using the "love your enemies" phrase about this whole thing. But those are not my words. Those are the words of Jesus Christ. And who could know more about loving ones enemies than Him? "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son..." Romans 5:10. Jesus bore the sins of His enemies in His own body on the cross and suffered the wrath of Almighty God in order to save them. He loved them to the point of death. So, what are we to do in light of that? Be kind and do good to Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists. They, like everyone of us, need Jesus. And we are commanded to show Jesus to them, by our words and our actions...not by burning their holy book and telling them "If they want to have their religion, they can have it somewhere else."

Early Morning Confession

It is 5:00 in the morning, and I am wide awake. This has been happening a lot lately, probably due to the fact that it's difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position when you're belly is the size of a basketball. But I think the majority of the sleeping problem is because there is a lot on my mind lately, and it's really hard to shut it off at night and early in the morning. I can't stop thinking about this baby and everything that goes along with him/her. So many questions, so many things to think about. Will I go into labor early...or near my due date...or past my due date? Will I have to be induced? What kind of birth experience will I have? Will I really be able to do this unmedicated? Why do people keep telling me that I'll probably give in and beg for an epidural? What if I have to have a cesarean delivery? Will our baby be healthy and "normal"? Who will this precious baby look like? Will I be successful at breastfeeding? Will we be good parents?

I confess that these are questions that run through my mind every single day (and at all hours of the night...I'm even dreaming about this stuff). Sometimes I feel so out of control of it all. And I am out of control. Yes, there are things that I can do and ways I can educate myself so as to be better prepared; but the end result is not in my hands. It is in the hands of my sovereign God, the creator of all things. God has made me and designed my body to give birth. He is the one who began and is continuing to form this baby in my womb. I must trust Him. I must give these fears and anxieties to Him. It is in Him that I find a resting place, a place of peace and joy. I must daily seek His face, read His word, rest on His promises. He has commanded me to "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) He is God, and I am not. He is in control, and I am not.

"Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you." Psalm 116:7

A Resting Place

My sweet husband has been encouraging me to blog again. I seem to be out of things to write about (even though there is much going on in our lives at present). So, since I am unable to come up with words of my own, I am going to borrow the words of a beautiful hymn written by Eliza E. Hewitt. They have been a comfort to me these past few days.

My faith has found a resting place,

Not in device or creed:

I trust the Ever-living One,

His wounds for me shall plead.

(Refrain)

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea;

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,

This ends my fear and doubt;

A sinful soul I come to Him,

He'll never cast me out.

My heart is leaning on the Word,

The written Word of God:

Salvation by my Savior's name,

Salvation through His blood.

-Eliza E. Hewitt