Praying Through the Marathon

Prayer day 6

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:10-12

“We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.”-Oswald Chambers

 

  • It’s time to sit down and take in what Jesus has for you today. We serve a God, who delights in us and loves when we come to him. If there is any condemnation or guilt you are feeling today, lay it at the feet of Jesus. Remember, Romans 8:1-2 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
  • Take out your Bible and journal. Be ready to hear from the Living God. Read Romans 12:10-12. Read the whole chapter for a wonderful blessing today! Take note of anything you feel the Lord brings to your heart.

Praying Through the Marathon

When I was in high school, I ran track and field, and the coach suggested I run hurdles! Anyone could have looked at me back then and decided it probably was not a good idea for me to run hurdles. I wish I had a picture to show you!

Why did I choose to run track and field? It was one of the only sports that didn’t include a ball and got me out of P.E.! To my amazement, I made it through the season and was not ALWAYS the last one to cross the finish line! It was HARD work! But oh the joy I felt when I did it!

When I think about marriage in terms of track and field, it’s less of a sprint and more of a marathon…with hurdles.

As we are going through the hurdles of married life, we cannot make it running on our own strength. We, women of God, must fight the battle on our knees in prayer. Much of our married life will consist of praying and waiting…and waiting…and waiting.

What should we do while we wait? Throughout the Bible, we see many verses where we are instructed to pray continual, fervent, and steadfast prayers, all with confidence and thanksgiving while we are waiting for God’s answers.

As I am writing this study, my heart goes to the conversation between Mary and Elizabeth in Luke 1:39-45.

They were pouring out their emotions over the work that God had begun in their bodies and in their hearts. While awaiting their promised newborns, both women were waiting on the Lord to complete a work, the miracle that He had started.

Elizabeth said to Mary in Luke 1:45, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Not only are we blessed when God fulfills His promises, (which He always does), we are blessed when we BELIEVE He will fulfill His promises while we are waiting.

What happens to us as we believe and wait on the Lord?

God’s Word tells us, “Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

Also, Isaiah 30:18 says, “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”

According to these wonderful verses, when we wait on the Lord we receive perseverance, character, and hope, AND we are blessed!

Did you also see the part that says God longs to be gracious to us? What a beautiful picture; the Lord is waiting too!

In times of waiting, God longs to draw us near to Himself. May we not miss the blessing of being close to God because we are too focused on His answers and help, and not focused enough on our relationship with Him. Waiting with God should be a sweet time of fellowship with Him if we will let it happen.

God says, in our Scripture reading for today, in Romans 12:12, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

We can be joyful in HOPE knowing and expecting that good is coming. We can be PATIENT in the difficult and sometimes unbearable times because our God doesn’t stop until he makes things new. We can be FAITHFUL in prayer because we know from the above scripture in Romans that He has poured out His Spirit on us, The Creator Himself is with us! We pray to El Shama, the God who hears!

Oh, the joy we can feel as we wait for the fulfillment of our Savior’s promises! My sweet friends, keep praying and trusting your loving Savior! He longs to wait with you, show you His love and draw you near.

 

Prayer Day 6

Questions to ponder

  • What promises has God spoken over your life and marriage? If you are not sure, ask Him.
  • Is there anything you feel is too big or too late for God to accomplish? Start praying for this!

Faith-Filled Idea

  • Do you have an “Elizabeth” in your life to share your God dreams? If so, send her a note today telling her how blessed you are to have her in your life. Better yet, take her out to lunch. Don’t take her for granted! If you don’t have this type of special sister-friend,  start praying for God to bring you one. Record this prayer in your journal and watch and wait with expectancy for God to bring her to you!
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Tara Fox
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4 Comments on “Praying Through the Marathon”

  1. I like the imagery of of marriage as a marathon with hurdles. Wow, this perspective contrasts what we see today.

  2. This spoke to me: “In times of waiting, God longs to draw us near to Himself. May we not miss the blessing of being close to God because we are too focused on His answers and help, and not focused enough on our relationship with Him.” Amen. Thanks for this beautiful study, Tara!

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