Schmidt Family blog » prayer http://family.kentuckystudio.com Just another WordPress weblog Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:30:44 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Have a little talk with Jesus… http://family.kentuckystudio.com/2010/04/28/have-a-little-talk-with-jesus/ http://family.kentuckystudio.com/2010/04/28/have-a-little-talk-with-jesus/#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:17:50 +0000 Amber http://family.kentuckystudio.com/?p=11866 Growing up in a Pentecostal church was an experience that has stayed with me.  If you have never been to a “camp meeting” then you are missing something!  Back in the old days there were big tents and little old ladies with their hand fans or better yet a fan fashioned from an old church bulletin.  The revival service would drag on long into the night with prayer, singing, preaching, more singing, more preaching and as a child it was a bit like torture!  By half way through most of the kids were running around outside the church play hide and seek while the preacher’s voice bellowed into the night.  Regardless of whether we were “listening” or not… those camp meeting nights are still etched into my heart.  Very often I will remember my grandmother humming one of those beautiful old songs … “Why don’t you ….. have a little talk with Jesus, you can tell Him all about your troubles.  He will hear my faintest cry… answer by and by… And when you feel a little prayer wheel turning, then you know a little fire is burning.  Just a little talk with Jesus makes its right.”  Sometimes when you would complain or cry about life to Nana she would say burst into this song and that was her way of saying…  sounds like you need to pray!

Sometimes when I have a bad day and I end up in tears over one thing or another I will hear this playing through my head.  Almost like her voice still echos to me even though she has long since passed.  But she was SO right.  There are so many things in life that I think could be solved with a little less GRIPING and a little more praying!  True?

I recently started reading a new book called “I Told the Mountain to Move” by Patricia Raybon.  It’s all about praying effectively.  I believe this is a book that I purchased shortly after “that horrible time” a few years ago but I had not made the time to read it.  Now as I delve into the book it has really made me think.  We sit in church on Sunday and the pastor will “Lets all bow our heads and pray… Dearest Heavenly Father, etc etc etc…”  So formal and proper.  We all do it.  Hands folded, heads bowed.  We even teach our children this is how we pray.  But really the HEART of prayer doesn’t come from a church pew or from a bowed head.

I can remember the first time Troy had dinner with my family.  I was mad at my mother about something and of course, she asked ME to say the blessing over dinner.  I still think it was spiteful but nonetheless I did it.  Out came my “prayer”.  “God, mom wants me to say the blessing over this food, and here goes… bless the food… thanks”.  And that was it.  Troy has laughed at me for YEARS now over that.  He said it was like I was dialing up my best friend to have a chat on the phone.  But really, is that so far from the truth?  For me, even though that prayer WAS a bit half-hearted, I have MANY prayers today that are almost similar to that day.  They are CONVERSATIONS with God.  I tend to think of God as my Heavenly Father so most of my prayers start with me calling Him by that name.  I rarely find that I use flowery language.  Some of my best prayer times come from when I am driving so eyes shut are hardly an option. There will be a beautiful song come on the radio that will move me and inspire me to be thankful or convicted and I will let loose.  I sometimes find that my prayers are a little like a therapy session where I unload the days troubles.  But really, if you truly think about it… and that old camp meeting song… “He will hear our FAINTEST cry… answer by and by.”  I honestly believe that God loves to hear from us… straight from our hearts and if our hearts are burdened THAT is when we should CAST our cares on Him.  Have we forgotten that HE is bigger than all of our cares, troubles, struggles, burdens, hurts, happiness, joy, good days and bad days?  I have not forgotten that.

I also think that some of the most effective prayers I have ever prayed have come from a desperate time.  Desperate times call for desperate measures I guess.  Back when the “What Would Jesus Do?” bracelets were popular there was another acronym.  P.U.S.H.  Oh boy!  Is that the acronym for me?!!!  If I am good at anything in life it is PUSHING until I get something done!!!  P.U.S.H. stands for “Pray Until Something Happens”  How true how true.  Maybe that is why some of the most effective prayers come from desperation!  Finally, at that point, you are able to PRAY without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)  Pray always.  Pray on your face with tears of sincerity.  You pray and you cry out and boom… a miracle.  And so many are shocked.  Elated but shocked.  But WHY?  Should we not pray EXPECTING that miracle to happen?  What happened to faith as a grain of a mustard seed? (Matthew 17:20)  If there is one thing I can say about myself is that even when doubt creeps ins… I still EXPECT that my Heavenly Father will rescue me from ANY situation.  I BELIEVE strongly that anything that happens is NOT outside his plan and that ALL THINGS work for the GOOD of those who serve Him.

I think that the KEY to having prayer that WORKS.  Prayer that MOVES mountains… is CLAIMING those promises.  You must TAKE that Bible that lies on your bedside table and USE it.  It is a TOOL to lead and guide us through life.  Anytime you have a decision to make… get in the word.  Anytime you are at a crossroads… get in the word.  Anytime you hurt… get in the word.  There is an answer for EVERYTHING in your life… in the word!  There is also instruction on HOW TO PRAY… in the word.  Prayer is mentioned 511 in the King James Bible… Did you know that God has given us 511 instructions on how to pray yet many of us flounder through our daily prayers with nothing more than “Dear God…”

I truly believe that prayer should be a conversation with God.  Sometimes, just like a parent, I think that God needs a little reminding.  I take every opportunity to remind Him that HE has promised us GREAT things.  That HE has moved mountains.  That HE has parted the sea and that I EXPECT Him to do the same for me and He has done for Moses, Jacob, Joseph, Daniel, David, and many more who have come before me.  Throughout the day, when things go wrong instead of complaining (which I do enough of!  I will admit it… I am not scared!) I try to look at the situation and CLAIM the promise.

Take for example this past week.  We had some major upset with Kyleigh’s medical bills…. Bills from 4 years ago to boot.  I dug in my heels and said to God (as I was on hold with the 5th person) “I do not accept this debt!  You gave my daughter life MORE ABUNDANTLY.  You have HEALED, RESCUED and RESTORED her body and now I expect that the work which you have started in our finances will also be the same.  I BELIEVE that You are able!”  Not more than 1 hour later… I received a call from KMSF saying that they were writing off all of the bills due to “incorrect” filing.  Is it true that they were trying to Balance Bill me? Yes.  Was I NOT responsible for that in any way because of Kyleigh’s three insurances?  YES.  BUT….  that could have turned into a bigger struggle than just a few hours worth of phone calls.  It could have gone to a lawyer, to court, to many more levels.  BUT… it didn’t.  It was FINISHED.

So…I challenge you today… when something comes your way that is not positive that you would look that opposition STRAIGHT in the FACE and CLAIM the promise that your Heavenly Father has given you to protect and keep you!!!  Start practicing this and see how quickly all of your cares melt away!!!Recent Comments:

  • Dianne says Thanks for sharing your family with us, your kids are so cute! [more]
  • Amber says Nicole… I emailed you! :) Sorry it took me so long! [more]
  • Amber says Nope.. I am not gone… just busy! :) Had a crazy, amazing, awesome and BLESSED summer and fall [more]
  • Melissa Gooch says I hope you and your family are well. I was just wondering if you have you given up this [more]
  • Nicole Walters says Hello
    I was recently diagnosed with chiari, and now my children are also showing symptoms. I came across your blog online, [more]

]]> http://family.kentuckystudio.com/2010/04/28/have-a-little-talk-with-jesus/feed/ 1 New Year, new prayers… http://family.kentuckystudio.com/2010/01/14/new-year-new-prayers/ http://family.kentuckystudio.com/2010/01/14/new-year-new-prayers/#comments Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:24:44 +0000 Amber http://family.kentuckystudio.com/?p=11778 As I sat in the hospital I thought about how this New Year came with such a sense of hope.  I guess one would think that maybe being admitted the second weekend of the year does not bode well for the rest of it but I beg to differ.  I fail to believe that God has anything in store for us other than blessings beyond measure!

This journey has led me to meet so many amazing people… in the blog world I have these “friend” who are truly strangers, yet your heart is drawn to people you have never met.  You don’t know why or how but you find yourself thinking of them, hoping with them, praying FOR them… and they become a blessing to you.  I know many of you have watched our life, in all its ups and downs, and have done the same for us.  I know that there are perfect strangers out there whom I do not even know your names who pray and bless us each day.

I would like to ask each of you to take a moment and pray for a few of our friends.  These are people whom God has really placed on my heart.

Eithene Rose is a darling little girl, who is just a few weeks younger than Kyleigh.  Her mom Jessica and I have been friends since we met online in an IA group.  Eithene and Kyleigh have seemed like soul sisters for so long and recently their family was given the news that Eithene does in fact have Mitochondrial disease.  I cannot imagine what a hard day it was for them because it was a day that downright SUCKED for me.  I sat in front of the computer sobbing.  I am crying right now.  Not that I don’t believe that God has them in His hands always but I look at Eithene and at Kyleigh and my heart hurts in ways I cannot begin to explain with words.

Whitney and her husband have been struggling with infertility.  On January 6 they found out that Whitney had miscarried.  Normally I skim through and its not that I am NOT sympathetic to infertility but its something hard for me to relate to.  But Whitney, it seems that every single post on her blog just rips my heart out.  Or makes my heart sing.  Why I am so attached to her, I don’t know but if you would find it in your heart to pray for her body to heal itself from this miscarriage and for God to dually bless her womb… I would be forever grateful.

The Sullivan Family – Sara (mom of this beautiful little group) was diagnosed with cancer while she was pregnant and went home less than a month after her beautiful baby girl was born on September 22, 2009.  Recently the autopsy concluded that it was NOT the cancer that claimed Sara’s life but a seizure which lead to cerebellar herniation (brainstem compression) which eventually made her body functions impossible.  This tears my heart into a million pieces … for all obvious reasons this scares the living daylights out of me…Now her husband, Brad, is raising their beautiful daughter Chloe by himself.  Please join me in praying for them!

There are so many more but today those are the three that my heart is really heavy for.  Also for the entire Nation of Haiti… I continue seeing news footage and I am glued to the television.. my heart is heavy for them also and praying that our country will be able to be a blessing to these people.  Seeing the PEACE on the streets as these people have NOTHING and nowhere to go yet spontaneous praise and worship services are breaking out.  What a testament to the power of faith.  I know that our Heavenly Father will not forsake that beautiful nation and will allow them to rebuild BETTER than they were before!Recent Comments:

  • Dianne says Thanks for sharing your family with us, your kids are so cute! [more]
  • Amber says Nicole… I emailed you! :) Sorry it took me so long! [more]
  • Amber says Nope.. I am not gone… just busy! :) Had a crazy, amazing, awesome and BLESSED summer and fall [more]
  • Melissa Gooch says I hope you and your family are well. I was just wondering if you have you given up this [more]
  • Nicole Walters says Hello
    I was recently diagnosed with chiari, and now my children are also showing symptoms. I came across your blog online, [more]

]]> http://family.kentuckystudio.com/2010/01/14/new-year-new-prayers/feed/ 2 Do you believe in Miracles? http://family.kentuckystudio.com/2009/11/25/do-you-believe-in-miracles/ http://family.kentuckystudio.com/2009/11/25/do-you-believe-in-miracles/#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:25:03 +0000 Amber http://family.kentuckystudio.com/?p=11692 Becky's Macy's Miracle Wish

I do.  I know many of you do to.  I would like for you to meet Becky.  She is 10 years old and has been battling bone cancer for two years.  Her doctors have told her parents to “take her home and enjoy Christmas” as this will likely be her last.  While Becky’s family continue to believe and pray for a miracle they also face the reality that their daughter is dying and without a divine intervention she does not have much time left.

The real reason I am writing about Becky is because she has made a Christmas wish.  She wants to go to the Macy’s Christmas Parade and through winning a contest on the Macy’s Believe 2009 Campaign her dream is POSSIBLE!!!  She just needs to get the most votes and it will become reality.  You may vote once per person (computer) once PER DAY!!!!  So here is one of MY Christmas wishes.  As bloggers we have POWER to share our thoughts and convictions but also to HELP those in need.  PLEASE pray and if your heart leads you, POST Becky’s story and link so that all your blog readers might also go and VOTE for Becky!  We have the power to help this angel get her wish.  Becky has touched my heart and I know she will yours too :)   So go out and VOTE today and EVERY day until December 3, 2009!!!!

Until this week Becky was in the solid lead… she has now dropped to second so we need YOUR help!!!!

GO HERE AND VOTE for BECKY : Macy’s Believe 2009Recent Comments:

  • Dianne says Thanks for sharing your family with us, your kids are so cute! [more]
  • Amber says Nicole… I emailed you! :) Sorry it took me so long! [more]
  • Amber says Nope.. I am not gone… just busy! :) Had a crazy, amazing, awesome and BLESSED summer and fall [more]
  • Melissa Gooch says I hope you and your family are well. I was just wondering if you have you given up this [more]
  • Nicole Walters says Hello
    I was recently diagnosed with chiari, and now my children are also showing symptoms. I came across your blog online, [more]

]]> http://family.kentuckystudio.com/2009/11/25/do-you-believe-in-miracles/feed/ 1 Please pray for the Owens and Hilliard families. http://family.kentuckystudio.com/2009/11/07/please-pray-for-the-owens-and-hilliard-families/ http://family.kentuckystudio.com/2009/11/07/please-pray-for-the-owens-and-hilliard-families/#comments Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:55:28 +0000 Amber http://family.kentuckystudio.com/?p=11613 I have been following the Owens family for a bit now.  Their beautiful son, Gavin, has mitochondrial disease.  Tonight Gavin is taking, what are likely to be, his last breaths.  His family are saying their goodbyes and praying that he is released peacefully into the arms of his Savior.  Everything in me hurts……. for this family.

Our life exists in a world where children die…. daily.  Its a community of parents who understand each other because we watch our kids fight to live.  We pray and do what we can and then we release them into the arms of our Savior and allow HIM to carry them, to heal them or to take them home.  This world is a world we were thrust into without our permission but in the world of Emily Pearl Kingsley : “But there’s been a change in the flight plan. They’ve landed in Holland and there you must stay”.  We are faced, daily, with the brevity of life and the sanctity of days, hours and minutes.  Each time I hear of another family whose angel earns their wings I tiny piece of me dies.  I wonder so many things like why Kyleigh was chosen to stay while others were called home….  I truly understand that our lives are all on borrowed time and each time I see another angel like this it makes me hold my kids a little tighter and appreciate them a little more.

Please pray for peace for Gavin and his family.  Pray that he will enter the arms of our Heavenly Father without suffering and that God will wrap his arms around his hurting family as they say goodbye.

If you would also remember our little friend Eithene in your prayers tonight I would be eternally grateful.  Eithene is Kyleigh’s “sistah from another mistah” if you will.  She and Ky were born within days of each other and have traveled a long road fighting VACTERLS and all its incarnations.  Eithene is back in the hospital and had an extremely LONG time in the OR this week.  She is having a hard time in ICU recovering.  Eithene is allergic or tolerant to MANY meds and due to her GI status cannot have many others so finding a way to treat her pain is hard.  It absolutely tears me up inside to know that these kids not only have to go through all these surgeries but have to HURT also.  Its like the least we can do to make sure they are not in pain and then sometimes even THAT is not possible.  I just don’t understand it some days… some days like today it gets the better of me.

So please, tonight pray that Eithene with sleep and rest peacefully and PAIN FREE!!!  Pray that Jessica (her mommy) will be strengthened and blessed with peace and grace to continue to fight for her daughter.Recent Comments:

  • Dianne says Thanks for sharing your family with us, your kids are so cute! [more]
  • Amber says Nicole… I emailed you! :) Sorry it took me so long! [more]
  • Amber says Nope.. I am not gone… just busy! :) Had a crazy, amazing, awesome and BLESSED summer and fall [more]
  • Melissa Gooch says I hope you and your family are well. I was just wondering if you have you given up this [more]
  • Nicole Walters says Hello
    I was recently diagnosed with chiari, and now my children are also showing symptoms. I came across your blog online, [more]

]]> http://family.kentuckystudio.com/2009/11/07/please-pray-for-the-owens-and-hilliard-families/feed/ 3 Say a quick prayer… http://family.kentuckystudio.com/2009/06/11/say-a-quick-prayer/ http://family.kentuckystudio.com/2009/06/11/say-a-quick-prayer/#comments Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:12:59 +0000 Amber http://family.kentuckystudio.com/?p=11200 Today seems to be flying by.  Its a bit of a rush but I know when God moves he doesn’t wait around.  Its ironic how his timing is never ours… I am totally resolved to wait when HE says wait and to MOVE when HE says MOVE.  Today is a MOVE day.  We have been doing lots of research this week and lots of planning and hopefully it will all pay off today.

If you would PRAY specifically that God would put a burden on a particular person’s heart that they would be moved to (and be ABLE to) bless our family with something we really NEED right now.  We are very thankful that God has given us the MEANS to work on this and we are praying for HIS will that this will be a smooth transition, and that it will be BLESSED in the future!

We truly feel that God has been teaching us that procrastination does NOT pay.  We are listening and learning fast (hopefully)!!!

Ecclesiastes 3:11:
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.Recent Comments:

  • Dianne says Thanks for sharing your family with us, your kids are so cute! [more]
  • Amber says Nicole… I emailed you! :) Sorry it took me so long! [more]
  • Amber says Nope.. I am not gone… just busy! :) Had a crazy, amazing, awesome and BLESSED summer and fall [more]
  • Melissa Gooch says I hope you and your family are well. I was just wondering if you have you given up this [more]
  • Nicole Walters says Hello
    I was recently diagnosed with chiari, and now my children are also showing symptoms. I came across your blog online, [more]

]]> http://family.kentuckystudio.com/2009/06/11/say-a-quick-prayer/feed/ 1