Can I pray for you, he asked? I didn’t really know this man even though I had sat next to him in a class I was taking. I felt uncomfortable but who was I to deny prayer? I looked up at him and there was a genuine sincerity in his eyes. I have started to see this more and more as I have embarked on this journey with the Lord. People coming across my path that are here on assignment, seeing a need and stepping out in faith.

“Yes, please!” I said to the man as he asked me if he could put his hand on my shoulder while he prayed for me. We often go through the motions when it comes to prayer but prayer does bring change if we believe God can do anything, for anyone, at any moment according to His will.

The man spoke such positive words over me, words that I longed to hear. He asked God to enlarge my territory that had been something I had prayed many times for myself. He went on to tell me how loved I am and that through God’s guidance, I would be coming into a new season.

We all have seasons in our lives where we feel we are in the deepest part of the dessert. We are thirsty and worn down. We wonder “How long Lord, are you going to keep me in this place?” I used to ask Him that question over and over again but God showed me each day that I am not alone. Many of our prayers do get answered and as time goes on, we start praying for God to take away the very thing we prayed for. I am learning (slowly) that maybe instead of praying for this “thing” to be taken away, I start praying for God’s will instead. I mean He is the one who knows all and sees all, right? He does want good things for His children and He always goes ahead of us, preparing the way.

We do mourn in those dry places of our lives, the losses hit us hard as we try to keep our head above the quicksand. We quickly start to dissect the why and the how? If I had only done this, instead? If I was a better person? If I had just stayed? Those question go through our minds like a running facet as we lose sight of God. How can God love me and keep me in this dark place? How can God love me when he knows how much I am hurting right now? But what if suffering is a gift wrapped up in the darkness?

Suffering has created a humility in me I didn’t even know existed.

Suffering has softened my heart in ways I couldn’t even imagine?

Suffering has helped me see the needs of others with utter compassion

Suffering is where I have held on to God with both hands, knowing he is sovereign over every area of my life

Suffering ignites the flame for a real relationship with God.

I still cry out to God when it’s been just too much and His faithfulness shines in. The soft whisper of the Holy Spirit speaks into the depth of my own spirit, “You are not alone!” as He quiets my soul. Maybe instead of fighting Him, I start to lean into this unusual gift because I have lost things I was never meant to carry anyway? I believe there are always blessing being poured out, the question becomes do we have eyes to see and ears to hear? If we are not alone, then isn’t it possible that God will give us the strength we need to endure what may come our way? I desire to praise Him in the dry season as much as I desire to praise Him in the prosperous season. We are loved beyond all human comprehension… Follow Me one step at a time, that is all that is required of you. 

Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we may comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast- 1 Peter 5:10