Kelli. in real life

Are You a Praying Woman?

In January of this year many people celebrated the start a new season.

My husband and I were very excited, but exhausted as well. We had only known I was pregnant for about 3 weeks but were already feeling the effects of my being tired and emotionally on edge, he and some friends had moved 80% of our belongings from one place to another on Christmas Eve, and we had just returned from a youth convention in Ohio, followed by an out of town engagement on New Years Eve. 

We were drained; mentally, physically, and spiritually.

One day during prayer I was overcome with emotions. I was crying out to the Lord about how I felt like my husband was so consumed with responsibility that he had forgotten about the importance of our relationship. I told the Lord I was hurt and feeling "uncovered" and "Unprotected" as a wife. I knew the Lord would understand and send his gentle but firm correction down on my husband. :)

As I finished and wiped my tears, waiting for the Lord to respond , He spoke this to my spirit. 

"What have you done for him?"

The Lord began to show me how he had created me as a woman to nurture, encourage, romance, and express love and compassion. He showed me the areas in which I was lacking. He didnt blame me, He didnt point the finger at me. But he reminded me that I had lost the love and devotion to a simple principle. 

PRAYER. 

Sure I prayed. In fact, if a person called me with a request I would (and still do ) snot and cry and call  upon the name of the Lord until I felt a release in my spirit that I had touched the heart of God. But on my husband's behalf I was too caught up in the things I felt he "owed" me to realize that the answer was simple. PRAY. COVER. SPEAK. BELIEVE.

In the beginning of our marriage I used to lay hands on my husband and speak into him. I used to cover him with the word of God on a daily basis. I realized I had lost that initiative.

Since that day in January, I've been taking time out of almost every day to COVER my husband in scripture and prayer. Some days are more difficult than others : ) and some days I just plain dont feel like it. But God, because he is faithful has manifested the benefits of prayer in my marriage in just a short time since that day in January. 

There are many seasons to a marriage, and at times we get so caught up in what God is using us to do, or calling us to do that we forget our first ministry is at home. Although our children are a beautiful blessing , our spouses are our fist priority. They are the one whom we have joined in covenant. 

Just a simple reminder to pray for your spouse. Just think, if you're not praying for them, there's no guarantee that anyone is. 

Here's My Hand

My friends are very important to me.
I've got associates, acquaintances, church family, friends and family.
Most of my closest friends are considered a part of my family.

A few years ago , I moved to Michigan and was separated from some of my closest and dearest friends that I was used to seeing on a daily basis. Now I've got close friends here, and close friends miles away. But I love that no distance and no familiarity changes the connection between us.

One of my dearest friends is hurting emotionally. She's a strong individual, and her faith in God is solid. But we're all human, and when disappointments come it's natural for us to hurt.

On Friday before I even knew what was going on in detail with my friend; I began to weep and call our her name in prayer. It was less than an hour later that I understood why I had felt such a burden for her.

Friendship is one of the most precious types of relationships God has gifted us with. While marriage brings about a connection of romance, sexual intimacy, and the building of a family; even a marriage is quite fragile with out the two individuals ( man and a woman) first being FRIENDS. Friendship is the ability to let down your guard and allow a person to take up space in your heart; the ability to laugh together, cry together, hurt one another, forgive one another, believe in each other, and remain committed without any paperwork or ceremony.

Today I just wish I could hold my dear friends hand as a point of contact.

I'd stand right by her side without inhibition. I'd allow the pure and untainted love of God to flow through me, as I held her hand; saying nothing; just there to be there.

Sometimes no words can heal us like the sense of touch can.

Sometimes we can't even find the words to describe the emotions we feel.

But "touch" transcends even words and feelings.

I just wish I was there to hold her hand like little girls do when they're finished playing dolls, or skipping down a path, or just glad to see one another.

I'd hold her hand, and let her know...."Everything is going to be alright. But until it is.....I'm right here."

Feel The Prayer Wheel Turnin'

My grandmother and grandfather used to get up early in the morning and pray.
Sometimes they would kneel beside their bed and pray, but other times they would go to the church and pray.
Sometimes my parents would go, but if they had to be at work occasionally, I went with my grandparents.
There would usually be about 6-10 people that would show up for early morning prayer. But even as a child, I was fascinated by what went on in those prayer meetings.
Sometimes there was weeping.
Sometimes there was rejoicing.
Sometimes there was silence.
Sometimes they sang songs.
But all the time....it was powerful.

I used to hear seasoned women in the church say, "I feel the prayer wheel turnin".

It meant that they felt the Spirit of the Lord stirring within them, calling them to prayer and intimacy with him.

As a child, and even now this is what I see when I think of a "prayer wheel turnin'".

Its a water wheel.
A device created long ago using flowing water to create POWER.

Even as I write that I feel a rush of excitement.

When God calls us into a time of prayer; true prayer that includes intercession ( standing in the gap fervently for someone else), warfare (praying against spiritual wickedness and things that are not of God) , and supplication (asking and requesting God for specific things)...its like a well of water inside of us is being turned through a wheel (prayer) to create POWER.

The bible speaks of this in different ways.....

"But you shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" Acts 1:8a

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known unto God. " Phillipians 4:6

"Like wise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings to deep for words. " Romans 8:26

Sounds like a prayer wheel to me.

Today, open your heart to the Holy Spirit. Allow that well of living water living inside you to flow freely. Open your mouth in faith and allow God to fill it with words of prayer, intercession, and supplication with thanksgiving.

Today I prayed for you. My heart was overwhelmed with love for you...anyone and everyone who reads this today.

I pray that you will be called into the love of Christ today and experience what He has for you.

I feel the prayer wheel turnin'