![]() Revelation Chapter 9 “The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of Good on their foreheads.” Revelations 9:1-4, NIV A Prayer Over Our Children Oh God, place Your seal upon my child’s forehead so when trials come, she is not harmed. Just as the abyss opens and locusts are released upon the earth, I ask that You will be her refuge and strength. When death comes and fire fills the air, may You protect her. Give her a heart of repentance, I plead so she may be washed clean from sin. Oh God, may You keep her from idolatry and murder while You prevent sorcery and sexual immorality from possessing a foothold. Hear my cry, oh God. Amen. Lay it Down Legs pounded, arms pumped, and hands fisted. Sweat carved tributaries down my forehead. I was a mess. On the treadmill I ran, fueled by an aching plea. Take not Your holy presence from me, I entreated, Draw near me, oh God. Do not leave me nor forsake me. Faster my legs flew. Short and ragged I panted, straining forward with every muscle and fiber. Deep groanings accompanied my every breath. Without realizing it, over the past month, my tank had become empty. Where I had resonated life and energy, I withered to a shell. A hollow void gaped where intimate communion had once filled. Even the whispers of God rang silent in my ears.
Oh God, where are You? I questioned. Make Your face shine upon me, oh God, Draw me to You again, oh Lord. I begged. Each question and plea groaned from my lips in pants and gasps. My lungs strained to breathe. My legs struggled to keep pace. Yet, the agonized petitions only intensified my workout. With ferocity, my feet hammered out each cry. Thump, bump, Bang! Slowly, time conquered distance. My legs hamster wheeled their frenetic pace into calorie burning, spirit purging time with the Lord. A tendering of the soul and a yielding of the spirit softened its way through the iron mail of my will. Then, amidst the straining muscles and ragged breathing, my swinging arms shifted from clenched resistance to a position of surrender. Fingers which knuckled white now relinquished their hold. My legs now ran straight towards the Father. A still, soft voice murmured across my soul. Lay it down. I will fight your battles. Cease striving. The words soaked deep. They watered the desert wasteland. For too many weeks I had been striving in my own strength. Now, a new insight dawned. In my act of muscling forward, I was depriving myself of my true source of strength. God. For when I am weak, He is strong. It is through our weakness where God’s power is made perfect. Moreover, His power rests on us and works best through us when we are in a posture of dependency upon Him. Our temptation to take credit or make things happen falls away when it is Christ to whom we are clinging. Friends, lay it down so you may find peace. Lay it down that you may find rest. Surrender to the God of miracles so your will is lost in His good and perfect plan. Cease striving and let Him fight your battles. Cease striving and be still. Lay it down and let God. Chris Tomlin - "At the Cross” A Parent’s Prayer Oh God, help me to lay down my strivings that I may be still at Your feet. Help me to let go what I cannot control and what I want. Take it from me, Jesus, so I may be fully yielded and surrendered to You. Give me strength to resist taking up again what I have laid down. Rather let me cease in my own strength and depend solely on You. Amen.
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AuthorMarried to my best friend for over 20 years, my husband and I are the proud (and often exhausted!) parents of a vivacious kindergatener. As a vision-impaired mom, prayer and trust in the Lord play a vital and moment-to-moment role in my life. Read more ... Follow me:
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