I have been walking with someone that has been praying for months and does not see her prayers being answered. She actually shared with me that instead of anything getting better they seem to be getting worse. She wants to know why and asked me to teach her how to pray because obviously she is doing it wrong. Oh how my heart broke for her. I was without words to make her pain and struggles go away which broke my heart even more. I understand her fears and worries. I have been there. Sometimes in our lives we go through seasons when He seems distant. We can’t feel Him, we don’t see Him and we start to doubt and lose our way. We wonder if He is even listening or if He even cares. If you are in this season, allow me to speak life into you today…HANG IN THERE! Don’t lose heart and never stop praying. He does hear and He does care. He has not left you and He will never forsake you.

“Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” Max Lucado

“Sometimes proper prayer must put more trust in God’s will than in human wants. Otherwise failure to get the things we want will force us to doubt either the power of prayers or the ability of God.” Anonymous

I read this quote this week on “Baby Kade’s” Facebook page just two days ago. These words were shared by his mom who had just shared with the world that her son had multiple tumors on his brain as well as down his spine and there was nothing left the doctors could do for him. Their prayers for Kade were changing. They were surrendering him over into the hands of God. Kade went to be with the Lord yesterday and His pain and suffering as we know it here on earth are over. Kade had not yet celebrated his 1 year birthday. His time here was short, but oh so precious. Please pray for Kade’s family as they grieve over his loss and continue to trust in God’s plans and ways above their own.

We really do not understand His ways. The words in Isaiah keep me focused in my prayer time with Him that I really do want His ways above my own; “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares The Lord. As the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (His knowledge and wisdom are far greater than man’s. We are foolish to try to fit God into our mold – to make his plans and purposes conform to ours. Instead, we must strive to fit into His plans-NIV footnote).

I do believe that any prayer lifted up before Him is valued in His sight. There is not a right or wrong way to pray. He HEARS us! He KNOWS our hearts! He can handle our anger, he can handle our disappointments, he can handle our tears. Don’t be afraid to pour it all out to Him. Be honest…be real…be YOU! This is what He cares about the most…a relationship with YOU! May these words be on your lips today as you go before His mighty throne, “My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Psalm 27:8

Dear Lord, please wrap your arms around those who are hurting today, and let them feel how much You love them. Amen