The Power and Purpose of Prayer

"Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven."
(Psalm 107:28-30)

Today is the 4 month birthday of our little nephew Gideon. If you've been reading my blog at all this year you've heard about him and perhaps even prayed for him. If so, thank you!! If not, a quick recap - the young man has spent more of his life in the hospital than out of it and he's had more surgeries in his four months than I've had in my four decades. He lives up to his name and is truly a mighty warrior. 

The other day, Jackie, his mom and my sister-in-law, posted the newest update on CaringBridge. As I read her words my heart was touched. Tears fell as I put myself in her shoes...instead of rocking her baby and surviving sleepless nights with a newborn, she'd spent the last 2 1/2 weeks away from home, her husband and daughter at the hospital with her son. Little Gideon had been on the ECMO machine and severely sedated while doctors tried to diagnose his current battle and treat his latest infection.

Gideon and the rest of his family may have been away from one another, but God was close to each one. They may have been dependent on machines and outside help, but they were (and still are) relying on and trusting in our all powerful God. They may have had to wait to hear back from medical professionals and weren't always in touch with one another, but through it all God has only been a prayer away.

Jackie's update reminded me of the purpose and power of prayer. Friend, many have been lifting this little man and his family in prayer. It has been amazing to hear the stories of how people are connected to this little guy and are crying out on his behalf. We truly believe God hears and answers prayer.

I'm so grateful for the answers to prayer and the power behind it, but during the last 4 months I've been reminded the purpose of prayer is about more than the power. Prayer draws us closer to the heart of God. In the midst of a struggle when we don't know what to do, we cry out to the One who is in control. Our prayers to God strengthen our relationship with Him. As we share our heart, He comforts it. In the midst of chaos, prayer brings peace. 

As I read about Gideon's latest news - the removal of his breathing tube, which led to him being in his mom's arms for the first time in almost 20 days, thoughts of answered prayers flooded my mind. Psalms about crying out to God were on my heart. Many, young and old, had been praying night and day for this little guy as the storm raged. We had cried out and though the waves were strong and storm winds blew for awhile, God had calmed them down. 

Gideon is back in his mom's arms and there is peace, but he's still in the hospital so we must continue to pray. Thankfully, no matter where we are at, God always has us in the palm of His hand. Regardless of what battle we face or how hard the winds blow, we can always call on God. He hears our prayer and will answer them in powerful ways. And more than that, He uses them for a purpose bigger than changing our circumstances, He uses them to change our heart.

Friend, I don't know what trial you are walking through today, but can I encourage you to pray? The One you call on - the Creator of heaven and earth, the giver and sustainer of life, the good Shepherd is the God who sees and a Father who loves. He will hear your prayer. He may not perform the miracle you ask for, but He will perfectly provide just what He knows you need. He will use your prayer to display His power and draw you close. 

Today, on Gideon's 4 month birthday, I will pray. I will praise God for His life and the medical interventions that have saved and sustained him. I will ask for continued healing and comfort. I will promise to keep my eyes on Jesus and trust in Him. Will you pray too? 

God will hear our prayers, answer them and give us new prayers to pray. As we do, He will work and we will see Him more and know Him better. So today, let's press on in prayer trusting there is always power and purpose in doing just that!

When you don't know what to do...

Friends, my little nephew, Gideon, who is not quite four months old is currently being put on a life support machine. This little guy has already had two heart surgeries and has been in a week long battle with pneumonia. Please keep him in your prayers. 

Tonight my heart has been broken and my thoughts have been racing. I pause to pray and then I think of someone else to share the request with. I'm reminded life is hard, but as feelings and even some fears try to overwhelm me I remember God is good. He has a plan. He is able and He can heal. Standing on these Truths and countless others bring peace.

Just this morning I was driving and had an experience I rarely do. To my left was a beautiful rainbow and to the right were dark storm clouds. It was such a contrast - peace on one side and fear on the other. As I drove down the road, the Holy Spirit put a thought on my heart. 

When you experience this -

Remember this -

Friends, the rainbow is a sign of the promise between God and not just Noah, but all of the people of the earth - including you and me. In Genesis 9:12-16 we read - 

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

This promise is not a guarantee that life will be easy and hard times will never come, but it's a promise that there will never be another flood. And today this promise reminded me Scripture is filled with many other promises. I'll share a  few timely ones now -

God's power will rest on us when we are weak. 2 Corinthians 12:9

We can cast our worries on Him because He cares for us. 1 Peter 5:7

God, our Heavenly Father and Great Provider, will give peace at all times and in every situation. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

When we are in trouble, we can call on Him and He will rescue. Psalm 91:15

Our loving Father sees all of our hardships and cares about our sufferings. Psalm 31:7

We can trust in Him and He will never forsake us. Psalm 9:10

Friend, I don't know what storm is raging in your life right now, but I pray you can remember the rainbow and cling to the promises. Let's ask God to help us do that right now.

Dear Heavenly Father, we approach your throne with confidence. Your Word tells us to ask, seek and knock. We are doing that now. You see and know the storms that we are facing, please be our anchor. Help us set our eyes on You and You alone. May we remember who You are and rest in the promises we know. Lord, I put Gideon into your arms and the others who are hurting - be with them now. Father, we ask for a filling of Your Holy Spirit. Make Your presence know in powerful and personal ways. Lord, physical storms remind me of your power and control, help me see the same as I walk through the storms of life. Father God, we love you and we need you. In Jesus' precious and powerful name, Amen.

Same Role, New Result

It's a first! This past week we had something new happen on the Beran farm; I'm not just talking in the almost 16 years I've called this home, but in the 40 plus years my husband has lived here.

The other day during morning chores our oldest son was greeted with a new noise at the chicken coop. He opened the door like he did every morning with plans to do what he did every day - feed the chickens and pick the eggs, but on this brisk morning there was a surprise, something new. He heard baby chicks and quickly let everyone know.

All of the kids were excited and Job, my husband, was surprised. We weren't intentionally trying to hatch eggs and we didn't even know a hen was sitting on them. Job couldn't remember this ever happening before on the farm. As for me, the gal who is afraid of birds and avoids the chicken coop as much as possible, I was intrigued and grateful.

Amongst all the excitement, conversation and walks out to see our new feathered friends, Isaiah 43:19a kept coming to mind. It says, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" God had done something new on our farm and He's showing me He's doing the same in my heart.

Over the last nine months I've been on a journey of renewal and though there's too much to say for this short blog post, God's shown me something through our new baby chicks. I've been studying Scriptures and actually writing a Bible study and through this process and while on this journey with Jesus, I'm being transformed. Our heavenly Father is changing me from the inside out.

The other morning Job and I were talking about this and reflecting on the work God is doing. I looked back on my life and thought about the roles I've played - 41 years ago I was born a daughter and 2 years later I became a sister. The roles of friend, student and athlete followed. During college, I eventually traded in my basketball shoes for a coach's whistle and after graduation my time in the classroom began as Miss Biwer.

Through thses roles I learned to listen and obey. I was able to learn and be an example. I had to work and overcome. I was able to share what I knew and show others I cared. I was able to encourage and tried to make a difference in the world.

Half-way through my 2nd year as a teacher, God gave me a new role - I became a born-again believer and my life was changed. I eventually gained new titles - wife and mom. I left the classroom and the playing field, but became a student of the Word and started playing for an audience of One. In time, God led me into ministry and I know attempt to coach and give others a pep-talk as they live out their faith. I also try to share my faith and help others learn from the Word.

I think about these baby chicks that have brought a new joy to my kids and thoughts turn to the hen that hatched them out. In a way she did what she's always done - she layed eggs, but this time God brought some change that led to a new result. Friend, all along her eggs were good and brought nourishment, but this time they brought life.

God may have you in the same roles you've lived all your life, but is there a new result He can bring? Can He use what you've always done to not just help another, but to bring life and make an eternal difference? Perhaps you're a nurse who can not only care for the sick, but also point others to our great Healer? Or maybe your a lawyer, who fights for what is right, and now God wants you to defend the faith. Even a farmer who feeds the world can be used by God to plant seeds of faith that will produce fruit that lasts for eternity.

Friend, I don't know what role God has you in, but I encourage you to think about how He may want to bring a new result from a role you've always played. Our God is a great God who is doing something new. And we are a new creation who can be used for His glory in ways that surprise us and truly make a difference in His kingdom!