What Do You Do? (Part 2)

In last month’s issue of Prayer Nuggets, I shared with you a part of the Father’s heart for me in the midst of painful circumstances, when I wasn’t able to pray appropriately. When all I could do was cry out to my Daddy, He comforted me and “held” me, restoring me to His peace. Then He strengthened me to pray with authority, first for myself, and then over the situation. That is all that took place that evening, for that’s what my Daddy knew I needed. This month, however, I want to tell you “the rest of the story.”

The next morning, in the midst of my workout at the YMCA (not my prayer closet, by any means), the Lord spoke some correction to me regarding the situation over which He had so comforted me the previous evening. I was unaware of an attitude problem in my heart that had kept me from seeing the issue clearly, and which also kept me from praying from His heart. When you’re in judgment of others from a self-centered viewpoint (pride), you don’t look at people with His love, and you certainly don’t pray with pure motives. This Prayer Nugget, however, isn’t to give you all the ugly details that needed correction in me; rather, it is to help you see another part of our Father’s all-knowing heart and be increased in your intercession because of it.

Psalm 139:13, 15-16 NIV “¹³ For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. . . ¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, ¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”

Psalm 139:23-24 NLT “²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. ²⁴ Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

As I cried that evening, unable to pray, Daddy already knew this sin was in my heart. He also knew, though, what I needed right then – to be held, comforted, strengthened, and allowed to rest in that place for a time – before He ever mentioned the needed correction. This is not always His way with me. Many times, He corrects me first. In those times, it’s in the conviction and repentance where I find His comfort and strength, and am then able to return to active duty in the fullness of His authority. Sometimes, there’s no crisis in my life, but I hear a teaching or see a particular verse that shines His Light on sin in my life. When I repent, according to His Word, I’m restored immediately, and I just go forward, with very little emotional response of any sort.

I did not have any idea that I needed help with a wrong attitude. I really thought the ones involved in my hurt were the ones who needed the correction. For anyone who intercedes for others, the Lord wants the prayer to be from right hearts, no matter who it’s for. Only from that place will we be able to hear His Spirit directing us in the specific way He wants. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself being corrected when you’re trying to pray for correction for someone else. Just remember that it will only be at the perfect time and in the perfect way our Father knows is right for you. Then, rejoice in the difference His discipline has brought about in your life and in your prayers, all for His glory!

Hebrews 12:10-11 ^“10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

© Copyright 2009 Kay V. Stocking