1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:03,600 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:16,070 --> 00:00:18,550 Speaker 2: You are listening to Everyday Prayers with Million Praying Moms, 3 00:00:18,570 --> 00:00:20,849 Speaker 2: helping you pray God's word for your family in the 4 00:00:20,930 --> 00:00:24,470 Speaker 2: areas you need it most. I'm your host, Nicolette Bell. Here, 5 00:00:24,610 --> 00:00:27,410 Speaker 2: we believe prayer isn't a last resort. It's our first 6 00:00:27,480 --> 00:00:30,200 Speaker 2: and best response in parenting. And every day we come 7 00:00:30,220 --> 00:00:32,459 Speaker 2: together to pray for you. to partner with God for 8 00:00:32,500 --> 00:00:37,320 Speaker 2: the hearts of our children. Today's division is written and 9 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:40,380 Speaker 2: read by me. It comes from my new book, Everyday 10 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:43,979 Speaker 2: Prayers for Moms. This is day 10 from the book, 11 00:00:44,040 --> 00:00:47,830 Speaker 2: and it's one of my favorite entries because it discusses 12 00:00:47,909 --> 00:00:51,409 Speaker 2: a topic that I believe keeps so many of us 13 00:00:51,870 --> 00:00:56,550 Speaker 2: from consistently praying, and that's what happens when we don't 14 00:00:56,610 --> 00:01:00,350 Speaker 2: get the answer we want or expect or maybe in 15 00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:01,790 Speaker 2: the timing. 16 00:01:01,630 --> 00:01:03,380 Speaker 1: That we expect it to happen. 17 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:06,340 Speaker 2: I'm calling this one a prayer to believe even if 18 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:09,740 Speaker 2: he does not. I pray that it encourages you wherever 19 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:13,320 Speaker 2: you are in your prayer journey today. To learn more 20 00:01:13,340 --> 00:01:15,860 Speaker 2: about Everyday Prayers for Moms or more about our ministry, 21 00:01:15,920 --> 00:01:19,280 Speaker 2: visit millionprayingmoms.com and we'll have a link in our show notes. 22 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:22,140 Speaker 2: After a quick word from our sponsors, we'll pray together 23 00:01:22,200 --> 00:01:31,240 Speaker 2: for our families. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to him, 24 00:01:32,440 --> 00:01:36,380 Speaker 2: King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before 25 00:01:36,459 --> 00:01:39,660 Speaker 2: you in this matter. If we are thrown into the 26 00:01:39,700 --> 00:01:43,230 Speaker 2: blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver 27 00:01:43,310 --> 00:01:47,090 Speaker 2: us from it, and he will deliver us from your 28 00:01:47,130 --> 00:01:51,530 Speaker 2: majesty's hand. But even if he does not, we want 29 00:01:51,630 --> 00:01:55,250 Speaker 2: you to know, your majesty, that we will not serve 30 00:01:55,290 --> 00:01:58,340 Speaker 2: your gods, or worship the image of gold that you 31 00:01:58,580 --> 00:01:59,110 Speaker 2: have set up. 32 00:01:59,880 --> 00:02:03,760 Speaker 1: Daniel 3, 16-18. 33 00:02:06,270 --> 00:02:09,130 Speaker 2: I've never been more convinced of the reality of heaven 34 00:02:09,330 --> 00:02:11,630 Speaker 2: than I was at a funeral a few weeks back 35 00:02:11,730 --> 00:02:16,110 Speaker 2: celebrating the beautiful life of my precious friend, Betsy. Her 36 00:02:16,190 --> 00:02:18,959 Speaker 2: faithfulness to the end of her life on earth was 37 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:23,420 Speaker 2: an incredible witness to her hope in heaven. Her suffering 38 00:02:23,460 --> 00:02:25,900 Speaker 2: was great, but her faith was even greater. 39 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:29,440 Speaker 1: Greater. As the pastor shared at the service. 40 00:02:29,620 --> 00:02:33,010 Speaker 2: He reminded the assembly of all of the prayers that 41 00:02:33,050 --> 00:02:36,549 Speaker 2: had been lifted on her behalf since her cancer diagnosis. 42 00:02:37,550 --> 00:02:39,910 Speaker 2: He acknowledged that while it may not feel like it, 43 00:02:40,590 --> 00:02:44,650 Speaker 2: our prayers had indeed been answered, just maybe not in 44 00:02:44,690 --> 00:02:48,380 Speaker 2: the way that we wanted. He went on to say, 45 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:52,940 Speaker 2: heaven is not a consolation prize for those who don't 46 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:58,200 Speaker 2: get healed on earth. This statement made my breath catch 47 00:02:58,820 --> 00:03:02,790 Speaker 2: and tears streamed down my cheeks. While I know this 48 00:03:02,870 --> 00:03:05,930 Speaker 2: is true, how often do I live as if it 49 00:03:06,010 --> 00:03:09,070 Speaker 2: is not? How often do I pray as if it 50 00:03:09,169 --> 00:03:13,590 Speaker 2: is not? Heaven is not the consolation prize. It is 51 00:03:13,630 --> 00:03:20,350 Speaker 2: the grand prize. Eternal life with Christ is the supreme prize. 52 00:03:20,900 --> 00:03:24,080 Speaker 2: But so often when our prayers don't get answered in 53 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:27,269 Speaker 2: the way we hope, We are tempted to think that 54 00:03:27,330 --> 00:03:30,750 Speaker 2: God didn't hear us. Or maybe we think that we 55 00:03:30,780 --> 00:03:35,460 Speaker 2: didn't pray the right way. Our hearts can be broken 56 00:03:35,860 --> 00:03:40,680 Speaker 2: when what we'd hoped would happen does not. Our opening 57 00:03:40,760 --> 00:03:44,540 Speaker 2: verse for today comes from a familiar Bible story, one 58 00:03:44,580 --> 00:03:48,809 Speaker 2: you probably grew up learning about in Sunday school. Shadrach, Meshach, 59 00:03:48,850 --> 00:03:52,090 Speaker 2: and Abednego were Jewish exiles living in Babylon. 60 00:03:52,650 --> 00:03:54,190 Speaker 1: They had found favor with the king. 61 00:03:54,700 --> 00:03:57,720 Speaker 2: But refused to bow down to him when he issued 62 00:03:57,760 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 2: a decree that all had to bow down to his statue. 63 00:04:01,920 --> 00:04:05,290 Speaker 2: The king gave them another chance, and that is where 64 00:04:05,550 --> 00:04:09,610 Speaker 2: our verse picks up. These three believed in God so 65 00:04:09,710 --> 00:04:13,470 Speaker 2: much that they could confidently say, we know he can 66 00:04:13,510 --> 00:04:17,460 Speaker 2: rescue us, but even if he does not, we won't 67 00:04:17,500 --> 00:04:22,719 Speaker 2: worship you. They didn't question God's ability. They believed wholeheartedly 68 00:04:23,130 --> 00:04:26,290 Speaker 2: that he could rescue them from the fire, but they 69 00:04:26,350 --> 00:04:30,159 Speaker 2: knew it wasn't their place to determine his will. Their 70 00:04:30,220 --> 00:04:33,700 Speaker 2: hope and trust and faith in God was not determined 71 00:04:33,760 --> 00:04:37,040 Speaker 2: by or based upon whether God did what they asked 72 00:04:37,080 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 2: of him. Their hope, trust, and faith was placed in 73 00:04:42,230 --> 00:04:46,890 Speaker 2: who they knew God to be, in his character. Even 74 00:04:46,950 --> 00:04:51,170 Speaker 2: in exile, they firmly believed in his care and compassion 75 00:04:51,250 --> 00:04:56,599 Speaker 2: for them in his sovereignty as the only true living God. 76 00:04:58,660 --> 00:05:01,940 Speaker 1: Something to think about. You most likely know the rest 77 00:05:01,980 --> 00:05:02,580 Speaker 1: of the story. 78 00:05:03,279 --> 00:05:06,060 Speaker 2: God allowed the three young men to be thrown into 79 00:05:06,100 --> 00:05:09,440 Speaker 2: the furnace, but he didn't let them go alone. The 80 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:13,460 Speaker 2: king notices four men walking around in the fire unharmed. 81 00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:18,179 Speaker 2: Many scholars believe that this first person was Jesus himself. 82 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:19,400 Speaker 1: Remarkable. 83 00:05:20,140 --> 00:05:24,580 Speaker 2: Emmanuel is God with us, the Hebrew meaning of his name, 84 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:29,280 Speaker 2: even in the fire. I truly believe that these three 85 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:34,060 Speaker 2: men meant it when they said, even if he does not. 86 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:37,830 Speaker 2: I believe their faith wouldn't have wavered if there would 87 00:05:37,870 --> 00:05:41,370 Speaker 2: have been a different outcome. It's the same faith that 88 00:05:41,529 --> 00:05:44,330 Speaker 2: Abraham displayed when he placed his son on the altar 89 00:05:44,770 --> 00:05:48,490 Speaker 2: and God provided the ram and the thicket. But even 90 00:05:48,570 --> 00:05:51,620 Speaker 2: if he does not, was a truth my friend Betsy 91 00:05:51,660 --> 00:05:55,179 Speaker 2: believed to the core of her being. Her faith wasn't 92 00:05:55,220 --> 00:05:58,039 Speaker 2: dependent on if she was healed in her earthly body. 93 00:05:58,779 --> 00:06:02,350 Speaker 2: The sicker she got, the more radiant she became. We 94 00:06:02,370 --> 00:06:05,950 Speaker 2: kept praying bold prayers, asking God for a miracle. But 95 00:06:06,089 --> 00:06:08,049 Speaker 2: even when it didn't come in the way we'd hoped, 96 00:06:08,570 --> 00:06:11,770 Speaker 2: we could confidently rejoice in the miracle of her healing 97 00:06:12,150 --> 00:06:16,659 Speaker 2: in heaven. Betsy's hope was truly eternal, and it was a. 98 00:06:16,700 --> 00:06:20,630 Speaker 1: Beautiful sight to behold. even in the middle of the fire. 99 00:06:22,230 --> 00:06:25,070 Speaker 2: So when we pray for our children, whether we are 100 00:06:25,130 --> 00:06:29,330 Speaker 2: begging God for their healing, for mercy from bullies at school, 101 00:06:30,029 --> 00:06:33,770 Speaker 2: for help with a certain subject, or for behavioral concerns, 102 00:06:34,589 --> 00:06:38,070 Speaker 2: we can be encouraged that we pray with the hope 103 00:06:38,390 --> 00:06:43,089 Speaker 2: of heaven. In raising our kids and praying on their behalf, 104 00:06:43,150 --> 00:06:45,670 Speaker 2: we are taking part in what Jesus taught us to pray. 105 00:06:46,510 --> 00:06:50,300 Speaker 2: Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as 106 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:58,240 Speaker 2: it is in heaven. From Matthew 6.10. Let's pray that together. Father, 107 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:03,270 Speaker 2: give us hope of the reality of heaven. Increase our 108 00:07:03,450 --> 00:07:06,990 Speaker 2: faith and trust when it seems that our prayers aren't 109 00:07:07,029 --> 00:07:08,010 Speaker 2: being answered in. 110 00:07:07,970 --> 00:07:08,750 Speaker 1: The way we hope. 111 00:07:10,030 --> 00:07:13,890 Speaker 2: Help us to boldly believe in your miracle working power 112 00:07:14,430 --> 00:07:18,610 Speaker 2: and to confidently be able to say, Even if he 113 00:07:18,770 --> 00:07:21,750 Speaker 2: does not, I still trust him. 114 00:07:22,790 --> 00:07:24,490 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, amen. 115 00:07:25,670 --> 00:07:27,690 Speaker 2: My guess is that if you're here listening to the 116 00:07:27,790 --> 00:07:32,040 Speaker 2: Everyday Prayers podcast, you kind of care about praying for 117 00:07:32,220 --> 00:07:36,680 Speaker 2: your children. My newest book, Everyday Prayers for Moms, Praying 118 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:40,060 Speaker 2: God's Word for Your Children from Newborn to Emptiness, is 119 00:07:40,220 --> 00:07:44,270 Speaker 2: a great resource for moms who desire to pray for 120 00:07:44,310 --> 00:07:46,380 Speaker 2: their kids. I don't know if you've ever looked up 121 00:07:46,440 --> 00:07:48,320 Speaker 2: at the end of the day and realized that you 122 00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:52,660 Speaker 2: didn't pray at all. So often we have this desire 123 00:07:52,700 --> 00:07:55,940 Speaker 2: to pray, but we may not know how to put 124 00:07:56,040 --> 00:08:00,060 Speaker 2: that desire in to practice. I'm learning in motherhood that 125 00:08:00,140 --> 00:08:03,160 Speaker 2: my prayers adapt and change based on the season that 126 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:04,420 Speaker 2: we're in as a family. 127 00:08:04,880 --> 00:08:06,780 Speaker 1: I'm also learning to give myself. 128 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:11,480 Speaker 2: Grace in those different seasons. I know God isn't after perfect, 129 00:08:11,580 --> 00:08:16,070 Speaker 2: polished prayers. He's after my heart. And He's after yours too. 130 00:08:16,770 --> 00:08:20,010 Speaker 2: So my plan is to be intentional, whatever that looks 131 00:08:20,070 --> 00:08:23,270 Speaker 2: like in this season. I hope that is your plan 132 00:08:23,690 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 2: as well. God sees our hearts. He's honored by our 133 00:08:27,780 --> 00:08:31,500 Speaker 2: desire to connect with Him. If you're feeling stuck in 134 00:08:31,540 --> 00:08:35,040 Speaker 2: your prayer life, I've got a new free download, a 135 00:08:35,700 --> 00:08:41,050 Speaker 2: five-day prayer reset. It's a great guide to help you 136 00:08:41,630 --> 00:08:46,070 Speaker 2: get started, jump back in, stay consistent, grow deeper in 137 00:08:46,090 --> 00:08:47,330 Speaker 2: your prayers for your kids. 138 00:08:47,710 --> 00:08:49,450 Speaker 1: It's also a great tool to. 139 00:08:49,429 --> 00:08:53,010 Speaker 2: Share with your friends or with your family members that 140 00:08:53,090 --> 00:08:57,450 Speaker 2: may be seeking to know God deeper in prayer as 141 00:08:57,510 --> 00:08:59,470 Speaker 2: they're wanting to pray for their kids. 142 00:08:59,490 --> 00:09:00,470 Speaker 1: I hope you will. 143 00:09:00,330 --> 00:09:04,809 Speaker 2: Grab your copy today at millionprayingmoms.com. We'll also put a 144 00:09:04,870 --> 00:09:05,970 Speaker 2: link in our show notes. 145 00:09:07,420 --> 00:09:10,679 Speaker 1: Until next time, friends, may the Lord bless. 146 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:13,829 Speaker 2: You and keep you. Make His face shine upon you 147 00:09:14,230 --> 00:09:17,310 Speaker 2: and be gracious to you. May the Lord look with 148 00:09:17,410 --> 00:09:20,400 Speaker 2: favor upon you and give you His peace.