Becoming a Prayer Warrior and How I pray

During the summer of 2015, I saw the movie "War Room".  After seeing this movie, I made a commitment to become a Prayer Warrior.   I started reading several books about prayer.   (There are so many good ones, but I highly recommend "Prayer Warrior:  The Power Praying Your Way to Victory" by Stormie Omartian) I began writing my personal prayer requests for my family and friends in a journal.   This was just the start of my quest to become a Prayer Warrior.  

In January 2016, I joined a Prayer Team dedicated to praying for church members and their friends and families, often times this required praying aloud with complete strangers.  

In July 2017, my husband gave up his "home office" so that I could transform it into a sitting room.  I was fortunate to retire my preschool business and spend more time at home.  I still work part-time as a substitute teacher, but I am blessed to enjoy an early retirement and do not take for granted my quiet time with God.  I now have this beautifully decorated quiet room to pray, read, and study the bible.  At times I am blessed with a visit from a friend for coffee and fellowship, or to mentor a family member or a friend in need.  I am truly grateful for this space and role as a Prayer Warrior!   I continue to pray God will use me and lead others to me to encourage and mentor.  

My best friend had my "life-verse" (Luke 8:15) framed for me and I made this "answered prayers plaque" in order to see how God has worked through me and provided hope.

In 2018 my faith was tested more than once.  I ended up needing three separate sinus surgeries and now am struggling with cough variant asthma.  I have an inverted papilloma (non-cancerous but aggressive tissue) in my maxillary sinus that must be checked every three months for the next five years.  It has required constant reminding that prayer is necessary and powerful!  I relied heavily on my faith, and The Holy Spirit's discernment regarding my symptoms and trusting my doctor's diagnosis and treatment options.  

How I pray?  My Prayer List consist of several categories and scripture versus to support.  I keep my list on a Word document so I can update it as needed and transfer "answered prayers" to my plague on the wall.  I find it easy to manage and I am able to recite names and lift up individual's and their circumstances to The Lord each time I pray for them.  I add a personal prayer for myself at the end.  Here are the categories and scriptures that correspond:  

Matt 9: 35-38 / Phil 4:6 / Matt 7:7-8

BLESSINGS/PROTECTION/SALVATION:  Jeremiah 29:11 / Proverbs 16:9

...here I list all the names of my immediate family members, in laws, aunts, uncles and cousins and close personal friends 

CANCER/ALZHEIMER/AUTO IMMUNE/INVISIBLE DISEASES: (2 Cor 4:16-19)

CHRONIC PAIN: (Psalm 46:1-3)

HOSPITAL CARE/RECOVERY: (Jeremiah 30:17)

GRIEF (Psalm 147:3)

DEPRESSION/MENTAL HEALTH: (2 Timothy 1:7)

ADDICTION: (Matthew 6:13)

JOBS/FINANCES: (Phil 4:19)   

RELATIONSHIPS/FORGIVENESS: (Phil 2:3 and 1 Peter 3:8-11)

PREGNANCIES: (Jeremiah 1:5)

DIRECTION/COUNSEL/DECISIONS/CHOICES: (Prov 16:9)

TRAVEL: (Luke 4:10)

SALVATION/RECONCILIATION WITH GOD: (Acts 26:18)

ME:  My Physical and Mental Health, My Christian walk as wife, mother, friend, church member, teacher/coach, and mentor.   Help me serve always and humbly.  I want to encourage, serve, love others and give GOD all the glory!  In Jesus name, AMEN

In conclusion, I would love to hear from you.  Are you a Prayer Warrior or are you inspired to become a prayer warrior?  Can I pray for you, and if so, what is your request?  

A new year - BE BOLD!

It is the first day of 2019 and I want to feel hopeful.  I want to be bold.  Instead, I feel scared, misunderstood, lonely, and discouraged.    

When I chose my "one-word" for 2019; I was told by a few negative influences in my life, that “being bold" is stupid, vulnerable, and thoughtless.  

I want to give God glory and encourage others.  Today, I have pushed the 'backspace key' on my keyboard more times that I can count.  Do I allow the enemy to silence me?  Why the word BOLD?  What was I thinking when I chose that word to focus on for 2019?

BOLD /bold/ adjective (of a person, action, or idea) showing an ability to take risk; confident and courageous.  

I'm not sure I am bold enough to share my thoughts.  I've been told I share too much.  HA!  If they only knew how much I hold back!

For me, being bold is not only risky, it will require much care and thought.  Some say "you shouldn't care what others think', but God says "tame the tongue" and "those who teach will be judged more strictly." (James 3)  I must be very careful in my boldness.  I don't want to be silenced, but I do want to hold back when it does not give God glory.  

I don't know my audience!  I write to an open audience in hopes that God will use me for His glory.   That is risky.  It requires boldness I don't possess.  I write to encourage, I write to teach, I write to bring awareness, I write to clear my head, I write for therapy, I write to release emotions.  I write to give God glory, but I often write in code out of fear.  

So, what I am writing about today?  Again...that "backspace key" is winning with the most hits. 

2019 is a time to change.  I have too many negative influences in my life.  I want to surround myself with those who encourage my writing, my story-telling, my singing, and my vlogging.  I'm tired of being discouraged for being who I am!  I'm tired of being silenced.    I want to be BOLD!  I'm going to have to rid some toxic people in my life in order to move forward.   Do you have toxic people bringing you down?  I can relate.  Let's pray about it together:

Lord, give me discernment in the selection of people in my life.  I pray that You would take anyone who is not a godly influence out of my life or else transform that person into Your likeness.  Your Word says, "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed" (Proverbs 13:20)  Lord, please fill any void or grief over a lost friend or family member in my life.  Bring comfort when I am lonely.  Help me find true friends to connect and share my life with, and be the person You created me to be.  Help me be bold in my walk with Your son Jesus, and it is in His name I pray, AMEN!