What’s on my heart this morning is that God does not need any sacrifice we can offer, other than our time. He wants a relationship where He takes our heart as we slowly give it.
In my experience with the prayer swings, sitting outside with the Lord wakes my senses to things I always took for granted. If it’s 2:00 in the afternoon, I hear hummingbird wings as they come near me on their way to the feeder. I hear squirrels playing in the trees, and birds chirping. I hear the rustle of the green leaves as the wind passes by. I believe Jesus sits with me and makes some of the noises a little more profound as if to say ‘don’t miss that, it’s a joy’. Then I begin to feel His peace come over me and my blood pressure drops. My heart rate slows down.
If it’s 2:00 in the night, I hear the coyotes in the distance and the owls in the trees. I hear the whippoorwill; now that’s my favorite night song. And Jesus sits with me as we feel the night breeze. If a storm is brewing, I have to wait it out. His power is in the lightning and the thunder that shakes the ground.
In these moments I don’t want to be asking for things from Him, I just want to thank Him. I want to thank Him for all the things He will do that He hasn’t done yet. I want to give praise for the revivals in the land that He is orchestrating. I want to bless His name because out of the worst chaos we can ever imagine, people will fall to their knees and their hearts will cry out to God the Father who controls the universe, God the Son who sacrificed His life for us, and God the Holy Spirit that comforts our hearts.
I want to thank Him for all the times of protection and provision when there would seem to be none. I want to thank Him for His prompting to provide protection and provision when we had no idea someone had been up the night before crying and praying because they had no food and didn’t know where it would come from. I thank Him for all the people that will walk together in His strength and in unison as He leads for His purpose and His glory. A family member lost his home in a storm. He said it can be replaced. We are alive and we have each other. We do go through tough times, but God strengthens the way we handle it.
Our hope in Him begins to churn into strength. Our heart soars as an eagle that never grows weary or faint. Isaiah 40:31
With all this, how can we not see His power. Ephesians 6:10
Sitting before Him, how can we have fear. With all this He is blessing me with to hear and to see, and to feel His presence. For those that can’t see, feel the wind on your face. For those that can’t hear, watch the lightning cross the sky. Feel His presence. He upholds us with His righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
When we give Him the sacrifice of our time and our heart, He can strengthen us as we go about our day. We gave Him our heart. He is our salvation. How can we not exalt Him. Exodus 15:2
I know that giving Him my time and my heart built a relationship that has strengthened me. He is that strength. He is that shield. He helps me as we journey together. My heart is so joyful. He put a song of praise in my heart. Psalm 28:7 His power rests upon us. 2 Co 12:9
He loves a contrite heart. A heart that shows remorse of sins and the desire of atonement. A spirit broken before Him. Psalm 51:17
In our times of joy or in our times of sorrow, He is our fortress, our rock, and on Him we can depend. Look up and know that He is God. Let Him strengthen you. Wear His armor. Ephesians 6 Listen for His voice.
And in case you ask, there is a can of mosquito spray by the prayer swings.
Categories: Devotion
A Swing and a Prayer 
Thank You for placing these awesome word pictures and sharing – so I can partake! Beautiful just precious our father. Bless You Friend!
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Thank you for your kind words. Yes our Father is so precious and I pray He blesses you in your day!
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