I can’t possibly tell you how much I need this book right now. Just as Stormie has hinted at in this initial chapter, ask me to pray for you, and I will. But I can honestly say that I can’t remember when I have prayed for myself or my own needs. I can’t remember the last time I spent my own private personal time with my Savior. In my world today as a wife, mother, church member, supervisor, employee, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece…. Notice, I haven’t mentioned me.
Like Stormie’s testimony, I have never stopped walking with God. I go to church, I participate in Sunday school (as of late), but my walk with God is not intimate. I can’t find time in my day to spend time with God. I had a system down years ago…. How I got out of the habit, I have no clue. Busyness, I presume. I will confess that I am depleted some days. Tired all the time. I spend all day pleasing people…my employees, families that come to my place of employment, trying to create more business for my business, …. Just today, I was planning on taking 30 minutes at work just to close my door and take out my Bible and see where the Lord might take me, but when the time came…. Something else came up that I HAD to do. Get done working, then I get the kids at school….if you have ever met my daughter, you would know that she needs convincing from the time she gets home to the time that she goes to bed that she does NOT need Mom to entertain her for those 6 hours. Incessant talking. Wishing I had just 5 minutes to myself…oh, yeah, and the dog manages to get the door open when I am trying to hide in the bathroom. A one year old mixed breed that needs entertained or she chews up anything she gets her mouth on. Do you think I can find time with God at home? Does this sound familiar to you at all? What’s your story?
My story may not be yours, but we may have one truth in common that Ms. Omartian brings forth. Do you know how to pray for yourself? Do you know exactly what you need from your Heavenly Father? I don’t. Oh, it’s not that I don’t know what I need, it’s that my head gets so boggled while trying to pray, that I usually give up. Satan knows how to play me like a harp. But sisters in Christ, I don’t want to just live day to day. I just don’t want to arrive in heaven some day with a bare minimum relationship with the man who gave up everything for me. Ladies, I don’t know about you, but I know I need to tap into God’s power to help overthrow Satan’s grip on my life. There is nothing more pleasing to Satan than to mess around with our lives and our relationship with God. We need to be sure that we know how to tap into God’s power over Satan. That power, my friends, is in our prayers.
Starting next Monday, we’ll discuss chapter one, “Lord, Draw Me into a Closer Walk with You”. I can’t wait!
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Christian Nymphos 
I have every sympathy with women with young children who are struggling to maintain their devotional lives – been there, done that, got the teeshirt. Now my kids are older it’s a lot easier.
But I did learn something quite important during that time – He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young (Is 40:11). What a tremendous verse that is. God doesn’t have unrealistic expectations of what we’re capable of when we’re mothers caring for young children. No, He leads us gently.
You are not going to easily find half an hour to devote to prayer and if you do you are going to be tired and your mind will drift. Just make use of those few moments here and there to turn your mind to God, have worship or teaching CDs in the car – you can even get the Bible on CD now.
And remember to make your own relationship with God the top priority when you pray. Here’s a little prayer which transformed my life – Lord, teach me to pray (see Luke 11:1). If your heart is set on Him, He will lead you and guide you into the prayer life that is right for you in your current stage of life.
Finally, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Rom 8:1). If you feel condemned it’s not the Holy Spirit speaking to you. He doesn’t condemn, He lovingly and tenderly convicts and gives us the grace to change.
May the Lord Jesus bless you with a constant awareness of His presence and a deep knowledge of His love (Eph 4:3:14-19).
I appreciate the honesty. I think we struggle (or at least used to) and have been like that at some point in our walk. Even if just for a few days or weeks. A few days ago I read Ann Voscamps Blog titled “when it is hard to find time for God & prayer”. In the most beautiful and real way, she describes her process of getting distracted from what nourishes & feeds the soul.
OMgosh spicy … i prayed for you immediately; i cannot imagine one day like what you described let alone a whole season or life; my dear sister …. perhaps a book called ‘Boundaries’ should be your next read. **hugz**
maybe! I read that one a LONG time ago.