trbccoffeebreak

“So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer.” Ezra 8:23 (NIV)

When there’s nothing we can do to help, solve, or fix – it’s excruciating to just let go. As women, we are natural nurturers. If someone is sick, we drop off chicken soup. If a friend needs a ride, we don’t mind being their taxi. If a neighbor dies, we organize meals for the family and our casserole shows up the next day. The list goes on and on….from bandaging our children’s knees to treating our discouraged teenager with a trip to Starbucks. Sorrow, drama, and challenges thrust us into action – help mode.

But what happens when we can’t help, solve or fix? Found myself there last year. Sweet friend was battling cancer 3+ hours away. Chicken soup doesn’t ship well. Distance prevented taxi rides to chemo. All I could do was wait for updates. Helplessness wasn’t my friend – I so wanted to be a part of her solution. And then God whispered exactly what he wanted me to do – pray.

While my friend was beginning chemo, I was praying. It seemed so insignificant compared to what everyone else that lived close by was doing.     I felt confined, hands tied because I longed to “do” so much more. I didn’t want to let go of my human nature and allow God to work supernaturally. And that’s where prayer walked in. Every day, I wrote out my prayers in a journal for my friend. Praying unceasingly as God showed me how to release my nurturing desires into His capable hands – accepting the role He designed for me. Not only was my friend encouraged by those words God gave to me in prayer, but I learned the power of prayers entrusted to One who can do so much more than we could ever imagine.

“Father, thank You for the gift of prayer; teach us to trust You with the ones we love.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break