Have you ever heard the expression: “It’s time to play hard ball.”?
The obvious thought that comes with this statement is the game of Baseball. The intended meaning behind the statement is more along the lines of meaning: the forceful uncompromising method used to gain an end.
Today I want to talk about prayer. Not just prayer, but intense prayer.
I will say that regardless of my resolve, I need MORE Faith! I have Faith. I have real BIG Faith. I love my God and I love Jesus. There is no wavering. I do admit though, I lack in my prayer life. Yes, I pray, but sometimes I am easily distracted and do not stay FULLy engaged.
In the past year, I have made requests here at Give Your Story in search of a what I call a Prayer Warrior. The reason I made this request is, that is not me. I am not a Prayer Warrior. Although we are responsible as Christians to develop a prayer life with our creator, I just do not have that intensity and ability in that area. I have not done the work. I am a work in progress is the Hope.
The first time I put out the request for a Prayer Warrior was for my friend Wayne. Wayne is doing great by the way. He has been gaining weight and is over the hump and on his way to more or less, full recovery. What a walking miracle. He does still need prayers and help as he mends and processes his mental anguish. I definitely prayed intensely for my friend Wayne during his painful journey. Prayer is in me. Intense prayer is in me. I saw answer’s to prayer during that time. However, I believe one of my readers was that Prayer Warrior we needed at that time.
The second time I put out the request for a Prayer Warrior was for the little boy Exodus, who got run over by a tractor wagon during a wagon ride at a Fall Festival and sustained major head trauma. Then, I got to meet a real Prayer Warrior in the Flesh! A Statement from the church Exodus attends:
During our annual Harvest Festival in late October, a young boy named Exodus was severely injured in our parking lot. We praise God for protecting Exodus’s life and for this community of believers who came together that night and in the aftermath of the accident to give their gifts and talents to minister to Exodus, his family, and the church community. We are truly blessed by the many people of our church and in the wider community (medical professionals, mental health care providers, prayer warriors, and generous hearts) who have embodied Christ in the midst of this accident.
This prayer process was used by Nehemiah and Daniel:
- Praise God
- Remind Him of His promises
- Admit our sins
- Thank God and ask Him, to give us Favor
Today I have a prayer for my God. If anyone wants to join me, please do so.
God, I thank you and praise you for providing me with your blessings and direction that you intend for me. Do you remember when you showed me the path? Do you remember when the devil was trying to steal me from you with the disguise of bipolar? Do you remember how we won that battle? You showed me and I will obey. I ask you to forgive me of my shortcomings as I continue to do the work of spreading the Word in the name of Jesus. Take away my difficulties and bless me and my mission here at Give Your Story. I ask for your Favor and provide for me the next step of the unknown in front of me. I see the light! I have the Faith! However, inside me exists some doubt of what will happen next. I ask that you show me, so I can stay on your intended path. With intensity and love. Thank you, Jesus!
With love from your friend,
Phil
Now – That’s some Hardball!