Power in Prayer: Be Wholehearted

by Marilynn Chadwick

How often do you take time to really listen to God? Many of us blow through our days without thinking about God. Even our alone times are filled with so much noise that it can be hard to hear his voice above the fray.

It was the seventeenth century theologian Francois Fenelon who said, “How rare it is to find a soul still enough to hear God speak.” I believe that training my heart to hear (and obey) God’s voice is my most important task on earth. No doubt it has the most eternal impact.

Maybe you've discovered that listening for God's voice is not always easy. Every voice you hear in your head is not from God. We pick up signals from the world, our flesh, and even our enemy, the devil. The Bible tells us he can disguise himself as “an angel of light.” Personally, I find the devil sometimes speaks with a Southern accent sounding remarkably like me!

Because we live in such a busy, noisy world, we must be determined to get quiet long enough to hear God’s voice—especially his whispers. That's why I periodically need to refresh my “spiritual listening skills.”

I’ll share a few practical tips I’ve discovered along the way. Start with Scripture. God’s Word is filled with ways to strengthen your power in prayer. Over the years, I have seen amazing answers to prayer. I’ve learned from experience that God can be trusted to speak to me through the pages of Scripture. It’s no wonder God’s Word is called the “sword of the spirit.” It is also referred to as being “living and active” (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12).

I find it helps to have teammates, fellow seekers to provide encouragement and accountability. This helps me stay on task and remain wholehearted in my call to pray.

It helps to add a bit of structure to my commitment to seek God. Getting started can be simple:

1. Pick out a special place for prayer. A favorite chair, a corner of your study, your back porch. Wherever you feel close to God. This is your spot.

2. Carve out early time for prayer. My time alone with God is my first hour and sets the tone for the rest of my day. I like to call this my “power hour.”

3. Gather your tools: A Bible, a notebook or journal, maybe a favorite devotional.

4. Begin now to talk to God and tell him that you want to learn to hear his voice more clearly. You might not notice much at first, but I can assure you. If you are serious about seeking God wholeheartedly, the rewards will come.

5. Ask God who is on his heart—pray he will prompt you to pray for people, places, and situations you may not have considered. Expect to be surprised at the doors he opens.

Above all, be intentional. Make prayer your top priority. Make it your goal to pray throughout the day—keep a running conversation with your heavenly Father. The Lord gives us a promise: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).

Power in Prayer: Don’t Panic, Pray

by Marilynn Chadwick

We are living in turbulent times. The Middle East has erupted into a rapidly escalating war between Israel and Iran. No one can predict the full impact of this explosive conflict. Russia and Ukraine remain locked in their ongoing battle. Wars and rumors of wars abound. Strange weather patterns threaten many, as do virulent diseases and disasters. Our streets and cities grow more violent. Jesus told his disciples that these and other signs would point to his imminent return (Matthew 24).

The Doctrine of Imminence refers to the belief that the return of Jesus Christ (the Rapture) is possible at any moment. It emphasizes a constant state of readiness and expectancy among believers as they live in anticipation of Christ's soon return.

If you read the New Testament with this doctrine in mind, you’ll notice every author believed Jesus’s return was imminent, yet there is no hint of panic.

For example, the apostle Peter writes, “The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:7-10 NIV).

But notice this: When the “end of all things is near,” Peter doesn’t warn us to flee, panic, or shelter in place. The very first thing Peter instructs when the end is near is to pray. Peter also urges us to love others fervently, to be hospitable, and to use our gifts to serve others and penetrate darkness with light. He reminds us to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15).

During Peter’s day and throughout church history, many have sensed the return of Jesus could happen at any moment. Whether we believe Jesus’s return is soon or years in coming, we can learn from Martin Luther’s strong admonition: “Preach [and live] like Jesus was crucified yesterday, rose from the dead today, and is coming back tomorrow.”

How do we pray? And more specifically, how should we live as we wait for Jesus’s return?

The Bible gives us our marching orders. As we wait for Jesus’s return, we must remain attached to Jesus and keep the “oil in our lamp,” which represents being continually filled with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 25:1-13). We are to faithfully serve the least and the lost while we wait for our soon coming king (Matthew 25: 24-40). Above all, we must always be on the lookout. Jesus exhorts us, “Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:13).

If you thought the time was short, would you hustle to share the Gospel? How would your investment of time, talents, and treasures be different if you thought Jesus’s return was imminent?

Remember, prayer precedes everything else. Jesus reminds us to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the Harvest. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Luke 10:2 ESV).

Why not start today with this simple prayer, “Lord, send me.”

Sabbath Rest: Sharing Our Stories

by Marilynn Chadwick

All three of our now grown children especially looked forward to the end of our Day Off, which they referred to as “Family Home Night.” These were weekly times of shared togetherness at the close of Sabbath and included special movies, family prayers, Bible stories, and make-your-own-pizzas. The movies we selected didn’t always have a spiritual message, but they helped reinforce a value or character quality such as perseverance, compassion, kindness, or courage.

Our family movies often launched spontaneous times of talking, sharing, laughing, and dreaming. The kids seemed to take this time to heart. Early on, we decided Family Home Night was not a “friend-sleepover night,” but no one seemed to mind. They grew to eagerly anticipate the much-needed space set aside for rest and time with just our family. They felt renewed by the safe haven of home. Refreshed, they were ready to reenter the fray.

I have found that Sabbath and giving space to share stories seem to go together. This was especially evident during our mission trips to other cultures. There, life moves at a slower pace. There, we forget our to-do list and welcome the unexpected. This is often the case in places where war or suffering have torn the people and their land. I remember the young Rwandan mother, a survivor of the horrific genocide. She shared her story of pain after our worship service together. I was amazed by her courage and strength. She said, “It is good to know you have not forgotten us.” We kept in touch for years, but it was Sabbath-keeping that opened the door for our shared stories and friendship.

Sabbath goes against the grain of a world that is too busy to care. Sabbath is life in slower motion. For this reason, Sabbath lends itself to sharing our stories, fears, burdens, testimonies, hopes and dreams. We were not created to experience Sabbath in isolation. I wonder if biblical Sabbath-keeping could become a powerful counter-cultural strategy in a world which thirsts for freedom from overwork, idolatry, and isolation. In a world that desperately needs shalom.

A few questions to get you thinking. You may want to experiment until you find the rhythm of rest that works best for you or your family.

1. How often does your family take a day off where you don’t do work, housework, or yard work?

2. Describe the perfect day off. Where would you go and with whom? Is there a nearby park or hiking trail you enjoy?

3. What activities do you and your family enjoy at home together? What activities do you enjoy doing alone? Would you invite a friend to join you in the activity?

4. What are some good movies or books you could reserve for your weekly “Day Off?” Are there special treats you could plan ahead? Ideas: Make your own pizza; popcorn with sea salt and coconut oil, drizzled with dark chocolate. Think of fun snacks that don’t require much preparation.

5. Are you one who enjoys cooking or is “Door Dash” your new best friend? How can you plan a special meal ahead of time that you or your family would enjoy on your day off?

6. What gets in the way of taking a day off each week? Conflicting job schedules, family members with different routines, kids’ sports? Are there changes that would help?

7. What are creative ways you or your family could read the Bible and pray together on your day off—maybe over a cup of specialty coffee in a nearby park or quiet setting?

8. What is your most significant “takeaway” from the teachings on Sabbath? Is there one change you can make today to begin to enjoy God’s gift of rest?