The Importance of Prayer in Your Life Right Now…
by Leighann McCoy
A few weeks ago I might have bumped into you at a conference, and you might have said, “Leighann, in a few days we’re all going to get news that schools are closing, that they won’t reopen; that all professional sports are going to stop playing; in fact, ALL large gatherings of people will cease; and businesses will close and Times Square will be empty, and you’re still going to get Amazon packages at your front door, but prime shipping will take three weeks, not two days. Oh, and your church? It isn’t going to be open; in fact, your husband is going to become an overnight preaching wonder on social media platforms.
I would look at you and wonder what planet you were from.
Yet here we are, and this is our life.
What if I told you that you could rise above the fray of all this crazy we are living? What if I were to tell you that you can also come out on the other side refreshed and renewed?!
YES! I want some of that!
Well, let’s have some then…here’s the promise God’s given us—a promise He is determined to keep because He’s God and this is what He does (He keeps His Word):
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are
steadfast because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3
There you have it…perfect peace.
Not perfect peace, we have to muster up, but perfect peace, God will “keep us in.” And while that’s the promise, here’s the condition: “those whose minds are steadfast.”
I don’t know about you, but my mind is many things right now, and steadfast might not be one of them!
I confess that I just googled “definition of steadfast,” and this is what I got: “firmly fixed in place, immovable.” Isaiah promises that God will keep us in perfect peace when we choose (volitionally, insistently, proactively, determinedly, unwaveringly) to put our trust in Him.
I don’t know about you, but trusting God in this global crisis is easy for me. For heaven’s sake, who or what else is trustworthy? Certainly not our health or our economy!!! Can we all agree that we’re reading this article because we’ve chosen to put our trust in Him?
If so, consider praying like this as you pray through these days…
When you watch or read the news, pray this:
Lord, I know that President Trump and governor (yours) are in the positions they have because You put them there (Romans 13:1). I pray that You encourage, support, strengthen, and give wisdom to him/her. Let me and my house find rest in knowing that You have put them in authority over us. We are confident their instructions are for our good. Thank You that we do not have to make these decisions.
When you are fit to be tied because your children are going crazy, pray this:
Father, You know how hard it is to be a parent, and while I thank You for these precious blessings, I beseech (this is a good biblical word that sounds really spiritual in prayer and means PLEASE!) you to give me more lovingkindness than I could ever muster from within myself. Empower me with the strength and patience and understanding that You have an abundance. And LORD, while you’re at it, could you please make them sleep an extra hour tonight?!
When you’re missing your people, and your husband isn’t himself because he is to be a shepherd, and he’s not with his sheep. Also, the internet is full of articles and webinars and zoom gatherings that tell you that nobody knows anything, and we can’t possibly know what’s going to happen next, pray this:
O, dear Jesus, I need You.
And then, just be.
Just be quiet.
Just be quiet for a little while.
Just be quiet for a little while and imagine nestling your head on His chest.
Just be quiet for a little while and imagine nestling your head on His chest and breathe in and out.
Just be quiet for a little while and imagine nestling your head on His chest and breathe in and out for a bit longer.
Just be quiet for a little while and imagine nestling your head on His chest and breathe in and out for a bit longer until you know He is God.
He’s got this.
And He’s got you.
McCoy is the founder of the Prayer Clinic ministry. She’s written 17 books and taught thousands of people to pray. Leighann serves as the prayer minister at Thompson Station Church in Thompson Station, TN, where her husband, Tom, is the senior pastor. You can connect with Leighann at www.leighannmccoy.com, and you can learn more about the Prayer Clinic at https://prayer.clinic/
