How to Persevere and Overcome Fear with Faith
Every time he lost I had to hold myself back from running up to my son to hug and kiss the crushing disappointment away. Despite my experience with the sport, it was hard to see my son struggle with so much emotion. I wanted to make it easy for him. I wanted to rescue him.
Thankfully I didn’t. Because it became the season that he learned how to perseverance and overcome his fear with faith.
My son walked off the wrestling mat with tears in his eyes and said, “I don’t want to do this anymore.”
He was so excited when the season started; however, it didn’t take long for him to become discouraged. The practices were great, his teammates and coaches affirming and fun to be around. However, he was getting his behind kicked when he competed against other teams. Match after match my son tried not to cry as the referees declared his opponent the winner.
Every time he lost I had to hold myself back from running up to my son to hug and kiss the crushing disappointment away. Despite my experience with the sport, it was hard to see my son struggle with so much emotion. I wanted to make it easy for him. I wanted to rescue him.
Thankfully I didn’t. Because it became the season that he learned how to perseverance and overcome his fear with faith.
You can READ MORE about it over at Faith Gateway.
Sword Wielding Cheerleaders and My Thoughts on Prayer
We can be confident in prayer when we know what the Bible says and speak it. Our troubling circumstance can be turned around and used to win the game for the glory of God through prayer. There will be times when we need to quit praying defensively, take back the ball, and pray offense. We don’t just want to hold the line; we want progress.
We are talking about prayer on the podcast this week so I thought this post from the archives was worth sharing. I used to get hung up on the "right way" pray. But then I learned God is more concerned having a relationship with us than how many minutes we pray or the exact words we use. What prayer looks like for me changes over time and looks different in each season. Here's just one example one way I pray.
I was a cheerleader in junior high. I can remember when the opposing team had the ball we would cheer:
Let’s Go, DEFENSE Hold them! D-E-F-E-N-S-E
We would encourage the team to stay strong and prevent points from being scored against us. When the game took a turn in our favor, when we had the ball, a different cheer could be heard coming from us girls.
Score! Score! We want more! We'll drive it to the finish, And own that board!
There are many different types of prayer. But just like those cheers, I have come to view my prayers as falling into one of two categories:
- Defensive (Lord, sustain me)
- Offensive (Lord, advance me in Your Will).
There will be times when we need to quit praying defensively take back the ball, and pray offenseively. We don’t just want to hold the line; we want progress.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”Eph. 6:10-11
We are in a war but not against flesh and blood.
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”Eph. 6:13
As you read a little further along in that chapter, you will learn that our armor consists of: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of readiness and peace, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation. The final item on this list is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God
It’s that last item that has the distinction of being an offensive weapon, and according to Hebrews 4:12, it’s a powerful one.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
We use that weapon when we pray the Word of God.
We can be confident in prayer when we know what the Bible says and speak it. Our troubling circumstance can be turned around and used to win the game for the glory of God through prayer.
We are more than conquerors because of the victory that has already won at Calvary.
▪ I pray Lord that my 6-year-old practices self-control (defense). I also pray that he will find favor in the eyes of his teacher because of his self-control and obedience. May the other students follow his lead by listening to the teacher, working when it’s time to work, and playing when it’s time to play (offense). (Psalm 5:12, Numbers 6:25–26)
▪ Father God, help my husband get up to speed with the knowledge he needs for his new job (defense). I also pray that You would give him the wisdom and knowledge he needs to operate in his position successfully. Give him insight into efficiencies that will cause his department to flourish despite this down economy (offense). (Jeremiah 29:11, Jeremiah 33:3
▪ Dear Lord, I choose to forgive_____________________________ for ______________________(defense). Lord, bless them and their family. I pray that Your love would penetrate their heart and that they would understand the grace you have made available to them (offense). (Luke 6:8, Luke 6:27, Psalm 103:10-14)
We have the advantage, but it’s us to us to advance.
Starting today, Circles of Faith will be hosting a Facebook Prayer community; a place where we can join together to share our prayer needs and testimonies of God’s provision. It is a forum for us to gather on-line and share what we are believing God for.
It’s there that we will knit our faith together and wield the Sword of the Spirit for His glory.
Head over there and see what is all about…
photo credit: One lucky guy via photopincc
Creative Ways to Pray
God is more concerned having a relationship with us than how many minutes we pray or the exact words we use.I love routine but often crave change. I know this about myself, so when I designated “Time with God” as one of my non-negotiables, I knew that if I wanted to be consistent, I’d have to seek creative ways to do this.
We may not like to admit it, but prayer can sometimes feel like a chore. We’re tired, we’re busy, and it feels like just one more thing to add to our list. And, If are we are praying with any kind of consistency it can become boring if we do it the same way, with the same words every day.
Let me assure you; you don’t have to feel guilty about this. Every relationship needs intention and creativity to stay fresh our prayer life, and relationship with God is no different.
I used to believe that my prayer time needed to look a certain way for God to be happy. As a result, my relationship with God was like a roller coaster with the ups and downs of pride when I was getting “it right” and guilt when I wasn’t.
God is more concerned having a relationship with us than how many minutes we pray or the exact words we use.
I love routine but often crave change. I know this about myself, so when I designated “Time with God” as one of my non-negotiables, I knew that if I wanted to be consistent, I’d have to seek creative ways to do this.
Instead of getting stuck with a formula I often do a combination of these:
- Record specific ongoing prayer requests in a dedicated notebook. Each need gets one page followed by any scriptures that support what I am praying for. I write a date, so I know when I first started praying for it.
- Designate different days of the week to pray for various topics such as family, friends, ministry, community needs, and our government.
- Create and read affirmations that are rooted in scripture and truth. I created a few about body image that you can download HERE.
- Rotate through study and devotional apps such as She Reads Truth, If Gathering, and First 5 from Proverbs 31 Ministries.
Here are a few things that have been a staple in my prayer life over time.
The Power of a Praying Parent and The Power of a Praying Wife,
These books have been instrumental books in teaching me about prayer. Divided by topic, each chapter shares the importance of praying in a particular area. It provides specific prayers, which are each tied to biblical promises including their scripture references. Over the years, this book has helped me stay consistent in prayer. When my little ones were young, and life was overwhelming, I knew I could open the book, select a theme, and pray it through in less than 5 minutes.
When my kids were little, and I had very little time or energy to have a consistent prayer time I would find a scripture that addressed my most pressing issue and wrote it on an index card. On the back of the card, I turned the verse into a prayer. I kept it in my back pocket and pulled it out whenever I had a moment to spare or needed encouragement. Eventually, I created a set from my kids. Some of the topics included are Anger, Obedience, Thankfulness, Words, Fear, Kindness. They are free HERE as a download. More topics are available in my Etsy shop.
Once a week, during the school year, since my oldest daughter was four, I have prayed with a group of moms. When life has been crazy, I can count on this group of faithful women to pray regularly. We pray for our children together, our schools, and our kids’ teachers, coaches, and administrators. I wrote about it HERE.
There is no one way to pray. Just like other friendships, we nurture our relationship with God through consistency, authenticity, and even creativity.
If you are looking for creative ways to change up your routine here are a few ideas:
- Celebrate the answers so you can stay encouraged in your prayer requests.
- Find new scriptures on the same promises to memorize and pray.
- Pray with a friend who can build on your requests with their thoughts and prayers.
- Pray in a different location.
- Journal your prayers. Let the page be a dumping ground for what’s on your mind then write out your prayers addressing your concerns.
- Install a prayer app on your smartphone.
- Take the Joy Dare. It’s like a God scavenger hunt -- 3 gifts to hunt for every day that you can offer up a prayer of thankfulness for.
Don’t let boredom and or a rigid formula in your prayer life can create indifference or distance in your relationship Him. Prayer is simply talking to God. He wants us to get to know Him better by spending time with Him, and there are plenty of creative ways we can to do that.
I’d love to hear about the creative ways you pray!
For more on the topic listen to:
Episode 51 The Ways We Pray
Elise Daly Parker, Noelle Rhodes, and I talked about how our prayers have changed over time while in addition to offering encouragement for those who are trying to get “it right.”
Teaching Our Children to Pray Continually
Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians says that joy, prayer, and thanksgiving should mark the life of a Christian. And not just any kind of prayer, continual prayer or as the King James Bible states prayer “without ceasing”. Thankfully this scripture does not suggest that we are too pray without stopping, which would be impossible. But rather that we should establish a rhythm of prayer, one that includes praying on all occasions. Join me over at Faith Gateway as I share how simple it is for us to teach our kids to create a rhythm of prayer that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians says that joy, prayer, and thanksgiving should mark the life of a Christian. And not just any kind of prayer, continual prayer or as the King James Bible states prayer “without ceasing”.
Thankfully this scripture does not suggest that we are to pray without stopping, which would be impossible. But rather that we should establish a rhythm of prayer, one that includes praying on all occasions.
Join me over at Faith Gateway as I share how simple it is for us to teach our kids to create a rhythm of prayer that will serve them well throughout their lives.
The digital download of these cards is available in my Etsy Shop for only $0.99. If you prefer the convenience of receiving these cards professionally printed, trimmed, and delivered to your mailbox, you can purchase card sets HERE.
Simples Steps of Prayer for Kids Based on the Lord's Prayer
Jesus demonstrated the simple steps of prayer, through The Lord’s Prayer, as part of the Sermon on the Mount. Here is a simple acronym I gave my kids to show them just how easy those steps are.
When I began teaching my kids about prayer I explained that Jesus modeled prayer for us. He prayed when he was baptized, in the wilderness, on a mountainside through the night, when he was alone, in the garden of Gethsemane, and when He was transfigured.
Not only that, He demonstrated the simple steps of prayer, through The Lord’s Prayer, as part of the Sermon on the Mount. I am over at Faith Gateway sharing a simple acronym I gave my kids to show them just how easy those steps are.
I am also talking aboutIn addition to that, I shared with my kids the book The Lord’s Prayer by Rick Warren which captures the essence of Jesus’ words with vibrant illustrations of Richard Jesse Watson. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE>>>
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