Observations From the Family Room
Hello Family,
In January, as we begin our prayer journal and walk through the 12 Rooms of Prayer in the Lord’s Prayer, we entered “the Family Room.”
“Our Father in Heaven” (Matthew 6:9)
The Family Room is where we connect with God, our spiritual Father, and the head of our Christian Family. Galatians 3:26 (NIV) Here we can come to worship and acknowledge God for who He is. (Isaiah 12:4)
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,
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We can also pray for our relationships: marriages, the families we are born into, the families we create, friendships, and the relationships we develop with people outside our homes here in the Family Room.
We can intercede on their behalf asking for salvation, reconciliation, healing, peace, joy, hope, and even unspoken or unknown (by us) needs they may have. 1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT)
Are you praying for a relationship and wondering when will God answer your prayer? Is it hard to hold on to hope?
Well, one thing we’ve noticed is that hope, faith, and waiting seem to go together when we find ourselves abiding in the Family Room.
As our prayers go up it’s in this room we have often had to wait the longest. We wait for what we cannot see. We wait on the Lord to do His work in me, in those I’m praying for, and on those that are part of His plan that I may not even know. Our faith is tested most often while waiting. Do I trust enough to wait on His timing? Our hope is in the Lord. (Psalm 33:20-22 NLT)
We often want everything now (microwave world) but change, reconciliation, revival do not come quickly. Cold hearts and dead love are not restored in an instant. When we believe that it does we set ourselves up for disappointment. View your prayers through the lens of Christ and wait faithfully on His timing.
How? Pray, pray often, pray without ceasing. Trust and believe God will provide an answer. Psalm 33:21-22 (NLT) Regardless of how long it takes. In the Family Room, it is important that we relate our lives to what Jesus would do and how He would respond. Think of Jesus dying on the cross for your sins. Think about it. Then remember, He could have come down. But it was His love for humanity that kept Him there. The love of God can keep us grounded and focused in difficult situations! John 13:34 (ESV)
In the Family Room when we talk to God we connect to Him be persuaded by the Holy Spirit to walk in surrendered humble obedience to God’s Holy Word. Romans 8:26 (NIV)
So pray, personal and intercessory prayers. Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) Then abide (wait) in the Family Room, focus on the Cross, and connect with God the Father, and allow the Holy Spirit to be your helper and your strength!
Scriptures
And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Isaiah 12:4 (KJV)
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT)
We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20 (NLT)
In him our hearts rejoice for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone. Psalm 33:21-22 (NLT)
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34 (ESV)
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:26 (NIV)
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)