"Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD" (Psalm 27:14).
Khulumas ( name changed) were a young couple desperate for a child. In African culture the proof of a typical valid marriage is when it birthes an offspring. But after several years the Khulumas were short on the bill.
Relatives from both sides of the family started showing up. "What's wrong!" Quick fix ideas came pouring fast from all corners. "It was such a stressful time for both of us as we were being tossed here and there, " Mr Khuluma shared with me. "The stress on our marriage was unbearable!"
One day the Khulumas heard of a famous doctor offering IVF treatment. "We approached him and he convinced us he could solve our problem," Khuluma shared. "But he was quite expensive!" Not to miss out they decided to sell a property and then paid for treatment.
"My wife got pregnant and we were all excited," he shared. "But mid way came a miscarriage! When that happened the devastation was even worse than anything before!"
Having tried all means the Khulumas now surrendered all to God. "My wife is a prayer warrior and we now just prayed, " he went on. "We left it all to God!"
Time passed. After the wife feeling unwell for sometime, the couple decided to visit a doctor. "What a shock when the report came that my wife was four months pregnant! Until then we had no idea.."
Today, the Khulumas are proud parents of a two year old son. Having passed through a valley God led them to a point of complete surrender to Him. And you know what, many can relate to that; once you surrender all, God starts to move!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any matter stressing me, knowing that once I surrender all, you take over, this I pray in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
