Thursday, May 3, 2007

Day of Prayer

Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer
is too small to be made into a burden.
-Corrie Ten Boom

Today's the National Day of Prayer. Did you know? Today thousands of Americans - from Washington to Florida, Texas to North Dakota - will bow their heads and pray for God's grace. His forgiveness. His help. And how desperately we need it all: grace, forgiveness, and help!

I've always loved that quote by Corrie Ten Boom and have taken it to heart. If it's too small to pray about, it's too small to worry about. I've gotten to the place in my life where almost nothing seems to small to bring to God's attention. Yes, I know He has big things going. I know His attention is needed elsewhere. But that is what's so amazing about God: He's mighty enough to handle the international wars and my internal wars. He's attentive enough to hear the loudest prayers and my silent prayers. He's compassionate enough to tend to the world's complex cares and my rinky-dink, careless cares. He's big. He's mighty, attentive, and compassionate...

... and He's listening.

Today, for the National Day of Prayer, I got specific. I put a prayer on each sheet of paper and lumped them all together. "These, God," I said, "are my cares." And there are several, including our country and her leaders. Our wars and their soldiers. Our schools and their occupants. Our churches and their members. Oh... and you. If you're reading this, you're in that white, papery pile. Today I'm praying for you.

Sure, today's a big day for God. For us. A lot of prayers will reach His attentive ears today. But then again, they do everyday. So don't worry. If you're inclined to pray, He's always inclined to listen.

If my people, who are called by my name,
will humble themselves and pray
and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then will I hear from heaven
and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
-2 Chronicles 7:14

12 comments:

Lana Manis said...

I'm so glad I visited your blog today. I really needed to read today's post ~ Thank you!
Both my parents are now gone, my Daddy in 1997 and my Mama in 2006, and there are days, like today, that I really, really miss them. I couldn't believe my eyes when I read your post ~ Corrie Ten Boom was an inspirational favorite of Mama's ~ and the verse from 2nd Chronicles was a favorite of my Daddy's to quote when he was preaching. Thank you again, you have brightened my day.
Take Care & God Bless,
Lana

Anonymous said...

Thank you, my dear friend. I am praying for you too! We can all use prayer everyday. It is nice to know that even with your hectic life that you still take the time to think of others and put them before yourself. Always the same kindhearted Brin. I love you my friend!

Amber

Unknown said...

When the morning news was telling us that today was a day of prayer, they said it was a day to pray for our goverment leaders? I say, it's a day to pray for our country as a whole, for everyone to pray for one another. Wonderful post Brin, as always!!

Suzanne said...

I love that quote from Corrie Ten Boom...and I love the visual of the cupped hands and the paper of prayers. Thank you Brin, for a beautiful. I'll be praying for you too.

Suzanne

~~Mikki Jo said...

Thanks so much for sharing this with us. It really humbled me and brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for your prayers, and I thank God for you dear one.

Nadine said...

Thank you for the reminder of about the National Day of Prayer. That's a great quote from Corrie Ten Boom - she's so inspiring, her faith and her courage.

Mrs. Jones said...

What a blessing that God listens to us!

Deb said...

A beautiful post and words.
I have the same concrete "hands" ~ we have ours out in the garden filled with seed for the birds.

Anonymous said...

I had now idea that there is a National Day of Prayes in US. That's very good.

My everydays are prayer days.

Debra from Bungalow said...

This post is so beautiful and inspiring. The hands with the prayers notes really touched me. You have a beautiful blog.

Lallee said...

I just discovered your blog this weekend. What a treasure~you have a wonderful way with words and sharing your faith. It is quite a wonderful gift. Sending prayer for you, too.

Corrie Ten Boom~she was a master of the faith and grasping God's grace, wasn't she?

Warmly,
Lallee
PS Your home is beautiful. Can't wait to see her blossom.

Anonymous said...

Oh I am so glad that God is listening, a good reminder for us, thanks Brin! It is so awesome that we can uphold each other in prayer as well join in together to pray for our countries. We need to remember the power of prayer...I like what you said that if you think it's too small to pray about then it's too small to worry about!
You are in my prayers daily, Brin.
"God is so good"