911 Prayers

Monday, March 6, 2017 

Verse for the Week: Hebrews 10:22a (NIV); Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with full assurance that faith brings…

“911… What is your emergency?”

Have you ever been there with God? Calling in 911 prayers?

Sometimes we find ourselves not in a physical crisis, but an emotional crisis where we need to call on God with the urgency of a 9-1-1 call. This past week was one of those crazy weeks for me; juggling three teenagers with three very different personalities and very different agenda’s, not to mention my own life, work, and relationships.

Needless to say, my mind was a whirlwind of stress and worry trying to meet deadlines and make details line-up perfectly so I didn’t damage any of my kids permanently (I say that with a huge dose of sarcasm but we all know it’s true—wink, wink).

Trying to maintain a level head and even-keeled emotions was a challenge as anxiety was at a constant low boil just under the surface of my thoughts. So when we got hit with a rain and hail storm right at the time all three of my kids were on their way to school with my oldest at the wheel and the twins as his trusting passengers—I just about lost every ounce of sanity I had.

Literally, my entire life and reason for being in one car—Lord, have mercy on my nerves!

Every day they get in that car and drive to school. And every day I pray for their protection, not just to arrive safely but that they will be safe all day long in every situation and in every relationship. It’s a tall order, I know, but I am dead serious with God in my plea.

Well, to say the very least, my stress level hit an all-time high when I heard the rain change from a light tinkering to a monsoon-level pitch. It was so loud I couldn’t even hear myself think. I looked out the window and saw a blur of chaos as the rain fell in sheets so heavy and ushered by the wind that visibility was absolutely nothing.

Immediately I began to pray. My emotions at an all-time high and my mind swirling with fear.

Gratefully they made it safe. Relief is a gross understatement of what I was feeling but I reminded myself to breathe—deep breath in and deep breath out. I thanked God profusely and poured another cup of coffee and began my day. All this to say, crisis averted and my children and my life remain intact until the next 911 prayer.

That is the truth, isn’t it? Living in the reprieves between crises? I’m sure you can probably relate. 911 prayers are necessary for this crazy life we lead.

Prayer, by all measures, is a beautiful gift we have because even in the midst of 911 prayers, God delivers a peace that is only found when we truly trust Him. Regardless of what we can or cannot see. It’s in these moments of sacrificial trust—laying down what we hold as precious and sacred and giving it over to Him—that we truly and deeply experience Him.

This concept of surrender and trust is practically impossible. And yet, it’s a spiritual contingency. One in which we must apply in the heat of the moment in order to reap the benefits we are so desperate to experience.

So in these times of great anxiety over our kids, ourselves, our friends, our families, our jobs, our finances, our health, our future, let’s send out our S.O.S. request for help but let’s also make that imperative choice to trust Him with our most precious desires and surrender to His will.

Will everything always turn out exactly as we pray or want? No. But does that mean we shouldn’t ask? By all means, ask! But in the ask, allow God to align your heart with His. Why? Because everything is in His hands—our hope, our pain, our joy and our tears—He sees it all.

Nothing is lost on him. So next time you are challenged in your own 911 moment, draw close to Him and he will draw close to you. It’s in this exchange where insanity becomes a part of your faith story.

Prayer:

Lord, all too often I find myself spinning with fear and calling out to you in panic. Help me in these moments of insanity to draw close to you in trust and surrender. Ease my mind and quiet my soul with your presence so I can experience all you are and all you want to do in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflect and Respond:

If you want to share, tell us a time when you sent out a 911 call to God and how He responded to you.

Hugs for a great week and remember, you are not alone. Be blessed as you surrender and trust Him.

Dori