Happy Friday! It’s the last Friday of the month (how is it September next week?!) and our last week reading “Praying Women.” I hope this book has been an encouragement to you and a catalyst for a stronger and sweeter prayer life šā¤
Ok, without further ado, here are this week’s questions:
Chapter 9: Pray When You Need a Breakthrough
*Have you prayed for a breakthrough that never came? Do you believe that “the outcome had nothing to do with how you prayed, how often you prayed, how desperately you prayed” (pg. 160)?
*Is there anything other than God that you are placing your trust and identity in (i.e. being a good mom, wife, etc.)? Has that led to living on shaky ground?
Chapter 10: Pray from a Place of Victory
*Sheila listed some verses that can help us fight during the dark battles of our lives. Do you have a battle verse of your own? Or is there a favorite out of the ones she listed?
*How does knowing we can pray in the authority of the name of Jesus fuel your prayers?
Conclusion
*Has prayer been an item to check off of your to-do list? How has your view about prayer changed from reading this book?
*How have you seen Jesus be the constant in your life?
Scripture of the Week
2 Corinthians 10:3-4
Daniel 10:12-13
Psalm 141:2
Prayer of the Week
Father God, would You help us to place our trust and identity in You so that we might not live on shaky ground? We know that in you we have victory. We don’t always understand Your plan or what You are trying to do in us and around us but help us to to keep praying, keep trusting, and keep fighting. Thank You for giving us Your Word and the authority to pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Help our prayer lives to be fervent and continual. Would You help us to be praying women who pray without ceasing, knowing that You are with us always and care about every single thing in our lives? We love You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
If you missed any of the posts on this month’s focus check them out here:
All About Prayer Journals! (+ Printable Prayer Journal Freebies!)
For Next Month
Start “It’s All Good” by Hannah Anderson. See all the details HERE!
Have a great weekend, friends!
Iām still waiting for a breakthrough regarding my sons being motivated in general, but particularly in doing their schoolwork. Of course, no one likes doing any type of work, but this has been going on for six years now, and itās exhausting!
In the last few years, however, Godās been revealing to myself and my husband that āthe breakthrough God is looking for is a breakthrough in us.ā (Page 160) š²
That doesnāt mean the boys donāt need to work on some things, but Godās been showing me how Iāve been praying with the wrong motives. Iāve been praying selfishly. I want them to get it together so I donāt have to deal with itā¦which naturally makes sense: of course I donāt want to deal with it!?! But itās more than that. Godās been showing me how conditional my love for them has beenā¦and how wrong that is.
I have been putting my trust in myself – my illusion of control and hopeful expectations (shattered as they become) – and thatās why I believe I havenāt seen a breakthrough.
Itās not like God is holding out on me thoughā¦Heās letting me have my way so I realize it wonāt work. š ā[You] must begin to build your confidence not on who you are but on who our God is. (Page 163)
As confident as I think I am in myself (what Iām doing, expecting, planning), I canāt stop battles (challenges, struggles) from happening. It scares me how much Iāve been trying to live in a bubble. The oxygen is running out, thatās why Iām exhausted.
Within the past few weeks, God highlighted Psalm 73:26 – āMy flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.ā Heās teaching me where my strength (physically, mentally, spiritually) really needs to come from.
When I pray in the authority of Jesus, and not myself, thereās victory. It may look different than what I think, but Heās always right so He is trustworthy.
Iām glad we can be honest with God – He already knows whatās on our hearts anyway. This makes it easier for me to pray because I know He can handle my thoughts and feelings.
Iāve seen Jesus be the constant in my life particularly with raising my boys. Through the difficulties, He remains the same and continues to show up. He is teaching me to take my focus off the shaky ground of trials and rely on Him instead.