7 Prayers That Work

  A WORD: Don't ever be afraid of the truth. Not the truth about yourself, your heart, your emotions, or your spiritual strongholds. Not the truth about those you love. Not the truth about God's commands or will. Please don't walk away from truth, even when it's hard. It will literally save you. Again and again. "There is no fear in  love . But  perfect   love  drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made  perfect  in  love ." ( 1 John 4:18 ) If finding out the truth about yourself or something terrifies you, then you have a clear sign that the devil is working against you. Whenever we love, we welcome the truth. We won't re-shape it, twist it, or wield it. We will protect it and cherish it. Truthful lives point towards God, not toward ourselves or our own abilities. "A  truth ful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful." ( Proverbs 14:25 ) But what if we can't tell the difference? ...

Oh, Lord,  What is true anymore? It's hard to tell. I can make entire worlds out of what makes me comfortable and justified, instead of what is actually true. What you call true . I make excuses for taking the easiest path, for the sins I commit and the sins I explain away. Show me where I listen to voices that speak lies. Forgive me for my willful ignorance. You are Truth. I look down on people for their sins while ignoring my own. Forgive me for my pride. You are the Way. Show me where I elevate my desires over your will and change me. I labor to build my own kingdoms and elevate my own popularity. Forgive me for my ambition. You are the Life. Show me where I deviate from the life you've laid out for me. Disrobe my deceptions and excuses. Reveal my insecurities . I want to lean into you-- into all of you-- all that you require of me and all that you want to forgive, if I'll just admit what's actually true in my heart and mind. Lay bare my defenses. I will confess ...

I'm reading I Kings 17 this morning. The country is in a massive famine. It's a pandemic of starvation. Everything is dried up. There is no food anywhere. The widow of Zarephath is picking up sticks to make her last fire, for her last meal, for herself and her son. Elijah approaches her and asks her to make him some bread. He promises that God will bless her if she obeys and feed him first. She believes. And her oil and flour don't run out. She keeps Elijah alive, and God keeps her and her son alive. They survive the famine. But then the widow's son dies. Look how Elijah prays and how the woman responds. "O Lord my God, have you brought tragedy also upon this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?...O Lord my God, let this boy's life return to him!" And the boy begins to breathe again. Then she says, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord is truth." Oh, Lord, God, Reveal your power and ...