Bold Prayers
Friends, I have recently been challenged... About praying bold prayers. Praying prayers that are outside my comfort zone. You can read all about that journey here.
But today... Today is a testimony. Thinking about today, I am overwhelmed by the goodness of God over, and over, and over again.
My heart is full tonight, friends, and I am so beyond grateful for the fact that God is a good, good gift giver that works through others.
A preface: I'm reading The Circle Maker and the companion devotional, Draw the Circle.
I was having lunch with some dear friends today, and we have all committed to Thursdays to do this Bible study together and pour into each other.
One of our discussion questions was, "Have you ever prayed a bold prayer?"
So, I began to tell mine. In 2013, I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Brazil. I did the work: I made cake pops in order to help fundraise, and was believing that I was really called to go. The Lord opened so many doors and the hearts of so many that they would give me $100 for 1 single cake pop in order to support me!
"I'm praying that prayer again," I admitted. "I have the opportunity to go on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic in March. I'd get to help lead mini VBS's for the neighborhood kids, we'd have a medical missions team going with us, and it'd just be so cool to be able to practice my Spanish. So I'm praying that prayer again, praying that God will get me the money."
I laid all that on the table, and I felt awkward. Sometimes it's hard being vulnerable. Sometimes it's weird to admit that I need help. That I simply cannot do this without divine intervention.
My friend kind of cocked her eyebrow and said, "Well, how much do you need?"
I inwardly cringed. "I need $350 by October 31st. I just don't see how I'm going to get that money."
"Well... How much do you have?" she asked.
I was counting in my head. "I have about half of it," I said.
She smiled gently. "I'm going to give you the other half!"
In that moment, I almost laughed. Tears came springing forth. I was stunned. It was all I could do to barely get out a "thank you" in between the happy tears in laughter.
I explained earlier during lunch that the Lord has continued to place that Malachi passage on my mind. Test Me in this.
Earlier this week, I told the Lord that He was going to have to get the money if I'm supposed to be going on this trip. I'm not in a place to just pay $350 out of my own pocket!
Today is a testimony. Today is a faith-stirrer. Today is reassurance. Today is a rekindler of living into His promises.
I have not stopped crying (happy tears) since lunch! It just amazes me that the Lord would choose such a tangible way to show me (and remind me) just how much He loves me!
Would you pray about supporting my mission trip to the Dominican Republic?
Between the Shadow and the Soul: Blogging through the journey.