As I was thinking about God the other day and all that He is and has done and is doing. I was pretty overwhelmed. I mean come on….He’s pretty amazing (to say the least for sure!) I began to think of just how incredible and loving He really is and it hit me…how could I have ever not loved Him or desired Him? How could I ever have rejected Him and thought that He was just some distant deity that didn’t really care for me? How could I have read His word and questioned its truth and power? How and why did I ever doubt Him and His miraculous power to do exactly what He says He will do?
Then God began to speak to me and he revealed to me something that I had never thought about before…the reason I rejected “Him” is because I did not have a true revelation of who He really is. I rejected a man made image of who I thought He was (a false, powerless, and easy to understand and wrap my mind around god) and when the Holy Spirit revealed His true character, nature, and love to me I couldn’t help but be drawn into a desire to know Him and be known by Him.
When I think of this it completely changes the way that I pray for those that don’t know Him. My prayer becomes less about me and what I can do for people or even the people themselves but more about the Holy Spirit shattering the false concepts and ideas and opening their eyes to who God really is….and He can use anyone/anything to do that.
As I prepare to start this journey as a missionary around the world I have kind of been at a loss of how to pray…it seems so overwhelming to think of all the people that need Him, who are hurting, and who need to know that they are loved. Where do you begin to pray? How do you begin to pray? Well, this is the prayer that God has put on my heart to pray over the nations and the people that I will be coming in contact with….
I ask that when we speak people would be drawn to You, not us.
That when we serve, people would be thankful to You, not us.
That when people are healed those who witness it would be in awe of You, not us.
Shatter the false concepts and ideas of who the world says You are! Reveal the truth!
Reveal who You are….the ONE true God….the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob!
Open people’s eyes to see that:
You are a creative provider! Not a generic formula
(see Elijah and the widow, Israel in the desert)You are a personable friend! Not a distant deity (see Abraham)
You are a passionate pursuer! Not a passive existence (see Jonah, Paul, Peter)
You are always true to Your word! Not inconsistent (see Jacob, Joseph, Mary and Joseph)
You don’t care if we are perfect. You just want us to be and feel a part of Your story for what You have created! Not a tyrant who merely sees us as a means to an end (see Moses, David, Paul)
You are the biggest fan of those who are broken and have screwed up! Not one who turns His back and shuns the sinner (see David, woman caught in adultery, woman at the well)
You are into building and cultivating those who are weak yet willing to be great leaders no matter what their personality types or giftings are! Not one to stereotype Your creation (see Jesus’ Disciples)
You created us in Your own image. You created us with emotions. Therefore, You feel emotions…joy, anger, passion, sadness, hurt….You are not a feelingless robot in the sky that cannot relate to us. (see Jesus, God in old testament in dealing with the Israelites)
You enjoy seeing Your creation flourish and succeed! Not a god who enjoys seeing suffering and hardship (see how God dealt with the Israelites in the old testament, Joseph, the Acts church)
You are a huge God who is unattainable, unlimited, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and can do far more than I could ever think or imagine. Not a theory or an idea that I can wrap my mind around and make a logical explanation for (see entire Bible)
God You are! And because You are…I am….and so have Your way and move how You want to in and through my squadmates and I!
Help us to decrease so that You may increase in every situation and place that we are in!
All is for Your glory! So catch me up in Your story! all my life for Your glory! For You are my God…the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob…my joy, and my delight!
Amen!!!!!
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If you feel lead to donate to my World Race (11 months in 11 countries bringing the love of God to all we come in contact with) You have no idea what it would mean to me! My goal is to be completely funded by the time I leave in July 2013. I need to raise $15,500. I need $2,862 exactly to be able to launch in July and $11,862 to be fully funded. I am well aware that it will take a complete miracle for this to happen! Lucky for me I serve a God who does miracles and loves to give to His children. I need your help! Be a part of the miracle! Lives will be changed for the good on this trip (mine included  ) and although you may not be able to physically go you can be a part through your giving! If you want to check out exactly what I'm doing go to www.thworldrace.org. All donations are tax deductible. Then you can subscribe to my blog and recieve updates on the many miracles, salvations, and lives changed that you have helped make possible through your giving!Love you all! Joyfully, Marie Olson |
