Hi sweet friends! Happy Friday! It’s been a rough week all over it seems and the need for prayer is great. I’m grateful for these chapters we read this week. Here are the discussion questions:
Chapter 6: Pray When God Seems Silent
*“We tend to measure our understanding of God’s ways and will by the outcome we see, but God is far more interested in who we are becoming in the waiting” (pg. 102). Does this help you view the waiting times differently?
*Do you find yourself identifying with a label other than “daughter of God”? How can you remind yourself of your true identity?
Chapter 7: Pray with the Power of the Word of God
*Do you have a regular practice of praying the Word of God back to Him? Do you have certain passages you prefer to pray?
*Sheila gives us four reasons to pray the Psalms:
- God gave us the Psalms as a prayer book
- we can find words to express every emotion
- they can help us be honest in pain
- Jesus prayed the Psalms and is our intercessor
How does knowing God gave us a prayer book and that Jesus Christ Himself is our Intercessor encourage you to pray more?
Chapter 8: Pray with Your Armor On
*Do you find it difficult to pray whether it’s due to distractions, not “feeling like it,” or being too busy?
*Which piece of the armor Sheila discusses do you feel you especially need right now?
*Think of a normal day in your life. When can you pray each day putting on the armor of God (i.e. during your shower, before bed, while having coffee in the morning)?
Scripture of the Week
John 12:24
Psalm 119:105
Ephesians 6:10-11
Prayer of the Week
Father God, thank You for providing us scripture to pray, for armor to put on and protect us, for all the ways You are redeeming our lives, counting our tears, and for loving us as Your very own daughters. We are humble before You, so thankful for what Christ did for us on the cross and the privilege of prayer we now have. Help us to make prayer a priority. We know speaking to You is worth our time, worth our energy and effort and we long to be women of prayer. Would You help us to persevere in praying and to not give up during the waiting times? Thank You Father for Your unfailing love and faithfulness. We love You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
For Next Week:
*Finish “Praying Women” by reading Chapter 9 through the Conclusion
Praying for you, friends! Have a wonderful weekend ❤
Waiting is hard enough when life is going well and you’re looking forward to something. Waiting when life is difficult and there’s either no end in sight or immediate known direction to take – well that’s another story.
We often ask God where He is during difficult times; we challenge if He knows what’s going on – because if He did know, He wouldn’t allow these things to be happening.
It was so profound to me that Sheila addresses how God is interested in who we are in the waiting periods we are so often faced with. We simply don’t think about God’s concern for us enough, let alone during trying times.
As hard as it is for us to believe God is with us during the waiting, it is so comforting to me that He cares how we wait, and wants us to wait well.
Praying in the midst of waiting has never been easy for me. I tend to get lost in worry and try to conjure up some plan so I feel I have some control. This is why the helmet of salvation is so important, and the piece of the armor that I need to focus on right now. Transforming my mind by speaking God’s truth (even if I don’t feel it) strengthens me and reminds me whose I am. I may not always know the “why” of situations, but I can be encouraged by knowing how to fight my fears and worry: through Christ. Most importantly, it’s about getting to the place where I recognize who should be my focus during the waiting: God.
Life is not perfect, but our God is. He is our Comforter, Provider, Physician, Refuge, Lord, and Savior (to name a few). He loves us and cares how we wait, but also comes along side of us in our waiting. He is always good and never changes.
With Him I am learning to wait better and trying to pray through whatever comes my way.