This week, we are going to be hearing real life prayer experiences from real people, who struggle with how to pray just like you do.
Our first, Laura Bohler when she was fresh out of college and on her way overseas. Because of our mutual interest in both the “Middle Kingdom” and the Heavenly One, I visited her several times from Taiwan while she lived in Southwest China.
Twelve years have passed and a few things have changed in Laura’s life. She is now Laura Forman and a busy mom in Montgomery, Alabama.
One thing hasn’t changed: Laura’s heart. She’s still in love with her Father.
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“While living in Asia, I had the opportunity to mentor local high school and college-aged girls. I loved sharing life with them and spending time in the Word together.
While my friends were over one evening, I noticed that my dear friend Angela was really struggling in the area of jealousy. I wanted to call her out and tell her to get over it. Thankfully, Father kept my mouth shut that evening.
A few days later, I asked my mentor for help regarding this situation. She gently guided me to pray, asking the Father if there was any sin was in my own life first. I was to let the Father handle Angela’s heart.
That evening, I spent a few hours on my knees asking Father to show me areas needing cleansing in my life. He reminded me, “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5)
I had heard that verse many times throughout my Christian walk, but had never truly seen what Jesus meant. How was I to confront Angela with her sin when I had sin that needed dealing with? That night was such a sweet time as the Lord gently showed me areas that were not surrendered to Him.
That next morning, I received a phone call from Angela asking to talk. She shared with me that she was wrong to be jealous and asked my forgiveness.
I sat there with my mouth gaping open!
While I was surrendering to Father,
He had busily been working on Angela at the same time.
He convicted her without my help. It was such an amazing eye-opening experience for me.
Today, I am the mother to three young children. I daily use this same principle in my life as I parent them. I cannot train and discipline them in the needed areas if I am not right with Father. I cannot take the speck out of their eye until the log has been taken out of my own. I must daily ask Father to cleanse me so that I might be pure and clean before Him. In doing this, I am better able to train my children in ways that honor and please Him.”
“Search me, O God and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!’ (Psalm 139:23-24).
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