Only By Prayer

A young engaged girl witnesses a couple, married for 20 years and very much in love.  She watches as they look lovingly at one another, as the husband cares for his wife, placing an arm around her during the church service and holding the songbook as they sing hymns to their God.  “This is the kind of marriage I want!” she thinks to herself with determination.

New parents read good books on child training techniques and learn how to get baby to sleep through the night even before it’s born (okay, I’m stretching it!).  They are educated on how to stimulate their child so he’ll be “baby Einstein” and outsmart every other smart baby before its time.  They learn the “how-to’s” of discipline that guarantee a child to be polite, respectful and God-fearing.  “This is the kind of child we will have!” they say in unison as the finished book is set on the shelf.

A young woman who has grown up with a godly mother remembers how her mother acted (most of the time) and hopeful that she, too, will demonstrate those characteristics of the Proverbs 31 woman so beautifully modeled before her all her life.  “It should be easy to be this kind of woman,” she thinks.  “I’ll  just act like my mom.”

In Mark 9, we find the story of Jesus healing the boy with the demon.  The disciples could not cast the demon out, but Jesus did.  After the incident was over and the boy was healed, we read: “his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?” Jesus’ answer is, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. The disciples could do other things that required less, but this kind required much prayer and fasting. 

How often do we think we can just be something – a wonderful wife, a godly mother, a godly woman and don’t fully understand that that kind of thing comes only by prayer and fasting? 

Can I really have that kind of godly marriage without daily asking God to protect my husband and my marriage? 
Can I have that kind of godly marriage without praying God will show me how to love my husband?
Can I have that kind of a godly child without praying that I will first be an obedient mother?
Can I have that kind of godly child without praying for my child every single day, and many times throughout the day?
Can I have that kind of godly character without praying that God will not allow my flesh to win today?
Can I have that kind of godly character without praying that God will help me to love His Word so that it will fill my heart and mouth?

Whatever we are pointing at and saying, “That’s the kind I want!,” we must realize that it only comes by great prayer!  Are you a praying woman?  Did you pray today?  I don’t mean a quick thanks for your oatmeal at breakfast – but real prayer – the kind that would cause us to even miss a meal because we are so earnest about our request.  Do you know this sweet song…

Indeed, let’s not forget to pray.

With love,