1 00:00:02,660 --> 00:00:03,620 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:16,050 --> 00:00:19,310 Speaker 2: You're listening to Everyday Prayers with Million Praying Moms, helping 3 00:00:19,390 --> 00:00:22,030 Speaker 2: you pray God's word for your family in the areas 4 00:00:22,210 --> 00:00:25,460 Speaker 2: you need it most. I'm your host, Nicolette Bell. Here, 5 00:00:25,500 --> 00:00:28,610 Speaker 2: we believe prayer isn't a last resort. It's our first 6 00:00:28,750 --> 00:00:31,530 Speaker 2: and best response in parenting, and every day we come 7 00:00:31,550 --> 00:00:34,370 Speaker 2: together to partner with God for the hearts of our children. 8 00:00:35,070 --> 00:00:37,169 Speaker 2: For today's devotion, I want to share a preview from 9 00:00:37,220 --> 00:00:40,599 Speaker 2: my newest devotional, Everyday Prayers for Moms, Praying God's Word 10 00:00:40,620 --> 00:00:43,620 Speaker 2: for Your Children from Newborn to Empty Nest, that comes 11 00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:44,979 Speaker 2: out next week. 12 00:00:45,900 --> 00:00:46,519 Speaker 1: There are still a. 13 00:00:46,520 --> 00:00:48,879 Speaker 2: Few days left to get your pre-order bonus. If you 14 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:52,159 Speaker 2: pre-order today, you receive early access to our new prayer 15 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:55,020 Speaker 2: video course that is a great preview or companion for 16 00:00:55,060 --> 00:00:55,300 Speaker 2: the book. 17 00:00:55,830 --> 00:00:57,650 Speaker 1: Find a pre-order link in our show notes. 18 00:00:58,030 --> 00:01:00,150 Speaker 2: Today, I'm sharing a prayer to believe the Word of 19 00:01:00,210 --> 00:01:03,170 Speaker 2: God is living and active. To learn more about the 20 00:01:03,390 --> 00:01:08,690 Speaker 2: ministry of Million Praying Moms, visit millionprayingmoms.com. After a quick 21 00:01:08,730 --> 00:01:11,400 Speaker 2: word from our sponsors, we'll pray together for our families. 22 00:01:16,780 --> 00:01:21,970 Speaker 2: John 14, 26. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom 23 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:24,890 Speaker 2: the Father will send in my name, will teach you 24 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:28,230 Speaker 2: all things and will remind you of everything I have 25 00:01:28,270 --> 00:01:33,150 Speaker 2: said to you. After recurrent pregnancy losses, I found myself 26 00:01:33,350 --> 00:01:35,890 Speaker 2: asking God to fulfill the desire of my heart to 27 00:01:35,930 --> 00:01:39,730 Speaker 2: become a mom. Well-meaning church people commented that I was 28 00:01:39,770 --> 00:01:42,110 Speaker 2: young and I just needed to pray a bit harder, 29 00:01:42,350 --> 00:01:45,750 Speaker 2: stop worrying, and it would happen. As I would pray, 30 00:01:45,830 --> 00:01:48,670 Speaker 2: I found myself questioning whether I should pray boldly. 31 00:01:49,300 --> 00:01:52,220 Speaker 1: I wondered, is it God's will for me to have 32 00:01:52,260 --> 00:01:52,660 Speaker 1: a child? 33 00:01:53,510 --> 00:01:57,050 Speaker 2: I searched the scriptures and I couldn't find anywhere that 34 00:01:57,130 --> 00:02:02,030 Speaker 2: guaranteed that childbearing was promised. I sought wise counsel from 35 00:02:02,110 --> 00:02:05,490 Speaker 2: women older than me who are strong believers and prayer 36 00:02:05,530 --> 00:02:09,850 Speaker 2: warriors and had walked through similar situations. It was important 37 00:02:10,150 --> 00:02:15,359 Speaker 2: to me to not take scriptures about childbearing out of context. Instead, 38 00:02:15,460 --> 00:02:17,940 Speaker 2: I began to look at the miracle pregnancies that we 39 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:18,880 Speaker 2: find in scripture. 40 00:02:19,660 --> 00:02:21,440 Speaker 1: Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary. 41 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:24,620 Speaker 2: and began to ask the Lord to work a miracle 42 00:02:24,760 --> 00:02:28,020 Speaker 2: in my life as well. The more I read these stories, 43 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:31,400 Speaker 2: the more I became convinced that infertility is a result 44 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:34,370 Speaker 2: of the fall of creation, and that this was a 45 00:02:34,410 --> 00:02:37,890 Speaker 2: prayer the Lord desired to answer and a part of 46 00:02:37,950 --> 00:02:43,489 Speaker 2: His restoration plan for the world. I finally came to 47 00:02:43,550 --> 00:02:46,690 Speaker 2: a place where I could confidently ask for a miracle, 48 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:50,799 Speaker 2: but just as confidently end each prayer with one caveat. 49 00:02:54,720 --> 00:02:57,820 Speaker 2: This prayer is, of course, borrowed from Jesus' prayer in 50 00:02:57,840 --> 00:03:00,560 Speaker 2: the Garden of Gethsemane before He goes to the cross. 51 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:04,380 Speaker 2: By praying this line of scripture, the Lord softened my 52 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:09,290 Speaker 2: heart toward adoption and began to focus on being the 53 00:03:09,530 --> 00:03:13,190 Speaker 2: best aunt that I could to my nieces and nephews. 54 00:03:14,270 --> 00:03:17,130 Speaker 2: You may have gathered by now that I did experience 55 00:03:17,250 --> 00:03:20,970 Speaker 2: not one but two miraculous pregnancies in for which I 56 00:03:21,010 --> 00:03:24,230 Speaker 2: will forever be grateful, I can look back on those 57 00:03:24,350 --> 00:03:27,090 Speaker 2: early days of praying and be thankful for the way 58 00:03:27,169 --> 00:03:30,820 Speaker 2: it shaped my understanding of praying God's Word. 59 00:03:31,500 --> 00:03:33,880 Speaker 1: I genuinely believe that even if. 60 00:03:33,919 --> 00:03:36,900 Speaker 2: God hadn't answered my prayer in the way that I desired, 61 00:03:37,940 --> 00:03:40,380 Speaker 2: I could rest in His good plan for me and 62 00:03:40,420 --> 00:03:44,890 Speaker 2: my family. Earlier, we asked the reflection question, have you 63 00:03:45,070 --> 00:03:48,670 Speaker 2: ever felt paralyzed in prayer, unsure if you were praying. 64 00:03:48,430 --> 00:03:49,290 Speaker 1: The right thing? 65 00:03:50,170 --> 00:03:53,030 Speaker 2: If so, recall that we have established that there is 66 00:03:53,210 --> 00:03:58,070 Speaker 2: no wrong way to pray. Prayer is powerful in any form. 67 00:03:58,610 --> 00:04:04,490 Speaker 2: Sometimes the simplest whisper of help has tremendous ramifications. I 68 00:04:04,550 --> 00:04:07,180 Speaker 2: am convinced that when we pray God's word, we are 69 00:04:07,250 --> 00:04:11,620 Speaker 2: taking out the guesswork. When we intentionally pray God's word, 70 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:16,020 Speaker 2: we can be confident of the power that it holds. Now, 71 00:04:16,140 --> 00:04:18,140 Speaker 2: we do need to be careful that we understand the 72 00:04:18,180 --> 00:04:20,690 Speaker 2: context of the scripture that we are praying. We do 73 00:04:20,740 --> 00:04:23,220 Speaker 2: not want to take out a single verse and pray 74 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:25,580 Speaker 2: it in a way that it was never intended. That's 75 00:04:25,620 --> 00:04:29,300 Speaker 2: why Bible study is such an important part of prayer. However, 76 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:32,700 Speaker 2: when we understand the context of a scripture and pray 77 00:04:32,740 --> 00:04:35,840 Speaker 2: the words of that scripture, we can be confident that 78 00:04:35,860 --> 00:04:38,180 Speaker 2: we are praying in line with the will of God. 79 00:04:38,900 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 1: Something to think about. 80 00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:43,339 Speaker 2: When we pray God's word, we are in essence saying, 81 00:04:44,020 --> 00:04:47,160 Speaker 2: you are God, you know best, while. 82 00:04:47,060 --> 00:04:52,190 Speaker 1: At the same time admitting, I am human. I am limited. 83 00:04:52,930 --> 00:04:55,790 Speaker 2: When the author of Hebrews writes, the word of God 84 00:04:55,910 --> 00:04:59,690 Speaker 2: is living and active in Hebrews 4.12, he is declaring 85 00:04:59,860 --> 00:05:04,640 Speaker 2: the way that the word convicts us, shapes us, molds us, 86 00:05:04,820 --> 00:05:09,260 Speaker 2: and changes us. In the previous verse, the author encourages, 87 00:05:09,740 --> 00:05:15,150 Speaker 2: let us therefore strive to enter that rest, Hebrews 4.11. 88 00:05:15,150 --> 00:05:17,930 Speaker 2: There is rest found in submitting to the work of 89 00:05:18,010 --> 00:05:21,140 Speaker 2: God's word in our lives. It makes me think of 90 00:05:21,180 --> 00:05:24,219 Speaker 2: the words of Jesus to his disciples in John 14, 91 00:05:24,220 --> 00:05:29,230 Speaker 2: 26 through 27. But the advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom 92 00:05:29,270 --> 00:05:31,490 Speaker 2: the Father will send in my name, will teach you 93 00:05:31,690 --> 00:05:34,370 Speaker 2: all things and remind you of everything I have said 94 00:05:34,410 --> 00:05:37,190 Speaker 2: to you. Peace I leave with you. My peace I 95 00:05:37,230 --> 00:05:38,870 Speaker 2: give to you. I do not give to you as 96 00:05:38,910 --> 00:05:41,550 Speaker 2: the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled 97 00:05:41,710 --> 00:05:45,140 Speaker 2: and do not be afraid. Jesus tells us that the 98 00:05:45,180 --> 00:05:48,300 Speaker 2: Holy Spirit will be our helper and and act as 99 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:51,180 Speaker 2: our reminder of His words and the things He has 100 00:05:51,220 --> 00:05:54,000 Speaker 2: taught us. I believe this is one of the main 101 00:05:54,080 --> 00:05:57,760 Speaker 2: ways that the Word is living and active, as described 102 00:05:57,800 --> 00:06:01,159 Speaker 2: in Hebrews 4.12. When we place God's Word in our hearts, 103 00:06:01,279 --> 00:06:04,930 Speaker 2: the Spirit brings His Word to our minds when we 104 00:06:04,970 --> 00:06:08,710 Speaker 2: need it most. It's alive, moving, and active in our 105 00:06:08,810 --> 00:06:13,270 Speaker 2: everyday lives if we will slow down and listen. Two 106 00:06:13,310 --> 00:06:17,110 Speaker 2: chapters later in the same conversation, Jesus says, The Spirit 107 00:06:17,150 --> 00:06:20,830 Speaker 2: will work to convict the world concerning sin and righteousness, 108 00:06:21,170 --> 00:06:24,989 Speaker 2: John 16, 8. This is the piercing of the joints 109 00:06:25,110 --> 00:06:28,650 Speaker 2: and marrow and the discerning the thoughts and intentions of 110 00:06:28,710 --> 00:06:29,940 Speaker 2: the heart described in. 111 00:06:29,940 --> 00:06:30,560 Speaker 1: Hebrews 4, 12. 112 00:06:30,560 --> 00:06:34,340 Speaker 2: The Spirit uses the Word of God to convict us 113 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:38,240 Speaker 2: of the areas in our lives that aren't God-honoring and 114 00:06:38,520 --> 00:06:42,140 Speaker 2: activates the Word in our minds to transform our thoughts 115 00:06:42,260 --> 00:06:46,960 Speaker 2: and intentions. The language here is piercing, describing division and 116 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:50,020 Speaker 2: a sword. It can be painful, this work of the 117 00:06:50,060 --> 00:06:53,200 Speaker 2: word in our lives. But what does Jesus promise the 118 00:06:53,240 --> 00:07:00,100 Speaker 2: result will be? Peace, rest, hearts that aren't troubled or afraid. 119 00:07:00,740 --> 00:07:03,690 Speaker 2: That is my desire, and I imagine it is yours 120 00:07:03,750 --> 00:07:06,909 Speaker 2: as well. In this work of motherhood, will we be 121 00:07:07,050 --> 00:07:10,030 Speaker 2: bold and invite the word of God to work in 122 00:07:10,110 --> 00:07:13,740 Speaker 2: both our lives and the lives of our children? Let's 123 00:07:13,770 --> 00:07:17,800 Speaker 2: pray together. Father, we thank you for the gift of 124 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 2: your word. Thank you for sending Jesus the word to 125 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:26,330 Speaker 2: show us what you are like. We invite your word 126 00:07:26,390 --> 00:07:31,950 Speaker 2: to pierce us, to divide us, to discern our thoughts 127 00:07:32,150 --> 00:07:36,119 Speaker 2: and intentions. See what is in our hearts that does 128 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:37,160 Speaker 2: not honor you. 129 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:40,120 Speaker 1: And use your word. 130 00:07:39,940 --> 00:07:43,570 Speaker 2: To mold us and shape us to be more like you. 131 00:07:44,510 --> 00:07:47,650 Speaker 1: Help us to pray bold prayers from your word on 132 00:07:47,690 --> 00:07:49,030 Speaker 1: behalf of our children. 133 00:07:49,850 --> 00:07:52,690 Speaker 2: Give us wisdom to discern your will and to ask 134 00:07:52,730 --> 00:07:56,200 Speaker 2: with confidence in your son's name. Amen. 135 00:07:57,320 --> 00:07:58,300 Speaker 1: My guess is that. 136 00:07:58,180 --> 00:08:00,940 Speaker 2: If you're here listening to the Everyday Prayers podcast, you 137 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:06,050 Speaker 2: kind of care about praying for your children. My newest book, 138 00:08:06,170 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 2: Everyday Prayers for Moms, Praying God's word from your children 139 00:08:09,580 --> 00:08:13,660 Speaker 2: from newborn to emptiness is a great resource for moms 140 00:08:13,680 --> 00:08:17,100 Speaker 2: who desire to pray for their kids. I don't know 141 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:18,600 Speaker 2: if you've ever looked up at the end of the 142 00:08:18,660 --> 00:08:21,950 Speaker 2: day and realized that you didn't pray at all. So 143 00:08:22,150 --> 00:08:25,710 Speaker 2: often we have this desire to pray. But we may 144 00:08:25,770 --> 00:08:29,990 Speaker 2: not know how to put that desire in to practice. 145 00:08:30,430 --> 00:08:33,380 Speaker 2: I'm learning in motherhood that my prayers adapt and change 146 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:34,040 Speaker 2: based on. 147 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:36,960 Speaker 1: The season that we're in as a family. I'm also 148 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:37,720 Speaker 1: learning to give. 149 00:08:37,620 --> 00:08:42,120 Speaker 2: Myself grace in those different seasons. I know God isn't 150 00:08:42,300 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 2: after perfect, polished prayers. He's after my heart, and He's 151 00:08:46,230 --> 00:08:50,490 Speaker 2: after yours too. So my plan is to be intentional, 152 00:08:50,929 --> 00:08:52,910 Speaker 2: whatever that looks like, in this season. 153 00:08:53,370 --> 00:08:54,850 Speaker 1: I hope that is your plan. 154 00:08:55,320 --> 00:08:59,360 Speaker 2: As well. God sees our hearts. He's honored by our 155 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:03,119 Speaker 2: desire to connect with Him. If you're feeling stuck in 156 00:09:03,160 --> 00:09:06,660 Speaker 2: your prayer life, I've got a new free download, a 157 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:12,690 Speaker 2: five-day prayer reset. It's a great guide to help you 158 00:09:13,270 --> 00:09:17,710 Speaker 2: get started, jump back in, stay consistent, grow deeper in 159 00:09:17,750 --> 00:09:20,850 Speaker 2: your prayers for your kids. It's also a great tool 160 00:09:20,890 --> 00:09:23,960 Speaker 2: to share with with your friends or with your family 161 00:09:24,020 --> 00:09:28,120 Speaker 2: members that may be seeking to know God deeper in 162 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:31,179 Speaker 2: prayer as they're wanting to pray for their kids. I 163 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:35,770 Speaker 2: hope you will grab your copy today at millionprayingmoms.com. We'll 164 00:09:35,830 --> 00:09:40,230 Speaker 2: also put a link in our show notes. Until next time, friends, 165 00:09:41,130 --> 00:09:44,410 Speaker 2: may the Lord bless you and keep you. Make His 166 00:09:44,450 --> 00:09:47,910 Speaker 2: face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May 167 00:09:47,929 --> 00:09:51,310 Speaker 2: the Lord look with favor upon you. and give you 168 00:09:51,530 --> 00:09:52,020 Speaker 2: his peace.