Today is Day 21 of the prayer challenge, and I’m so excited
for another day of new revelation. I’m filled with hope as I wait to see
miracles, signs and wonders happen within my life and to hear about them
happening in your life. God can do anything! Each day I’m reminded of how God
can do the impossible, and that he gives us Biblical promises we can stand on.
Today’s scripture is Joshua 1:3, which says “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised
Moses.” (NIV) Mark Batterson read this exact promise years ago, and he
felt a prompting in his spirit. He says, “As I read this promise given to
Joshua, I felt that God wanted me to stake claim to the land He had called us
to…” Prior to finding that scripture, Batterson was dreaming about the church
God wanted to establish on Capitol Hill. When he heard the scripture, he not
only decided to circle it in prayer, but also decided to pray a perimeter all
away around Capitol Hill. With a strong determination Batterson completed a 4.7
mile circle around the city. Now 15 years later, Batterson serves as lead
pastor of National Community Church, which has seven locations around the metro
D.C. area. God truly answered his prayer!
God wants to answer your prayers too! Many
times we pray about getting a need filled, or something else but we quit
praying before we get an answer.
Batterson says “Drawing prayer circles is a metaphor that simply means “praying
until God answers.”” He explains that this type of prayer takes determination;
it’s an “as long as it takes” approach to prayer. The first step in drawing
prayer circles is discerning what God wants and wills. You must value what God
values. It’s not about getting what we want—it’s about God being glorified.
When I think back to the longest prayer I
prayed, I’m reminded about when I prayed for a job. To be precise it was my
first job after graduating college. I graduated in the spring and started
searching for a job. Naively, I just knew that I would land a great job soon
and start making “good” money. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find a job, but
God allowed me to find an internship by the fall of that year. I was unpaid
staff, but getting some good experience. Despite my efforts to apply for jobs I
received nothing. I spent another year, volunteering with a National Community Service
Program (AmeriCorps) before receiving my first job offer. During the course of
those two years, I prayed and applied for dozens of jobs. When I look back on
those 2 years, I realize that God was guiding me every step of the way. During
that time, I got so much closer to God. I prayed and kept praying, and finally
God answered my prayer. I believe God receives all glory for those years I
experienced. Today I can be a witness and tell others how he kept me financially,
taught be about humility, and really became so real to me during that
time. I didn’t want to be in a position
of not having a job after graduating college, but it wasn’t about my will. It
was God’s will and today I’m so grateful for that time of waiting.
Know that God has a plan for your life. Keep
drawing prayer circles, and standing on the promises God gives us in the Bible.
God will come through someday, so keep believing!
Say This Prayer:
Father,
Please forgive me for doubting You. I thank You for the vision and purpose You have for me. I pray that when You give me promptings that I stand on Your word. I will not let my current situation determine my outlook on what’s to come in the future. Give me determination and focus so that I won’t give up and stop praying. I’m going to pray, pray some more, and then pray again. I know You will answer me at just the right time. I pray that You get all the glory for everything that happens in my life. I praise You and thank You in advance for answering my prayers. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Post Written By: SIS Chelsea
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