Prayer.
It has always been an interesting topic and one that I have battled for many years. Why do we pray? Does it actually work? Does God actually hear? Doesn’t He already have plans for us; so why would we ask for something else? Can we actually change His mind? Is prayer powerful? Can we actually heal with prayer? Why do we have to pray before we eat?
I’m sure that if you are reading this, sometime in your lifetime, you have wondered and asked the same things. Frankly, I’m still asking them.
But here’s the thing. Even though I struggle with prayer, I still love it.
I love how it is my connection to the God of the universe. I love how it’s my personal journal to Him every day. I love how it makes me feel closer to Him, and yet sometimes, so far away.
Throughout my walk with God, I’ve had moments of prayers that are so intimate and wonderful- feeling God’s presence and love for me as I praise him with my words. I’ve also had the days where I take a drive in my car, find a hill to sit on, and my prayers are the angry screams of frustration- mostly covered in the word WHY. I’ve had moments where friends have told me that they woke up in the middle of the night and God told them to pray for me- and at that exact moment, I was going through a really difficult time. On the other end, people have told me that maybe a dozen people were asked to pray for me and I laughed at how ineffective it was because my life was in shambles.
I’m being really honest here. Prayer is such a difficult thing to do as a Christian. Sometimes, it’s all I have. Sometimes I don’t want to do it, but a lot of the time, I know it is good. It’s all a huge mystery though.
I’m learning, though, that prayer is an act of obedience to God, a weapon in spiritual warfare, and our ultimate communication in our relationship with God.
Soooo… why am I talking about all of this?
I really don’t know. One day I can get so annoyed with prayer, and the next I’m so desperate for it. But okay, one thing I know for sure: I need it.
Satan must REALLY not want me to go on the race because He is attacking on all sides. This is encouraging because it means I am a force against Him that is going to do amazing things for God while on the race, but it is also something I can’t fight alone. I need those prayer warriors. My anxiety can rise, my doubt if I can really do this- 11 months on the mission field, and different parts of my life can fall apart and all those things work against me.
But I am reminded of that bible verse “If my God is for me, who can be against me?”
I am encouraged by that. He is the one with angel armies, and I am determined to find my prayer army.
So, friend, family, stranger who is reading this blog, will you pray for me?
Will you pray that I will have the courage and strength to go on the race?
Will you pray against my anxiety and doubt?
Will you pray against the enemy and his attacks? That angel armies would be with me?
Will you pray for health and protection?
Will you pray for the unity of my squad and teammates?
Will you pray for the countries that we will be visiting and the people we will encounter?
Will you pray that our ministry will be lead by the Spirit and we would do nothing on our own strength?
And will you pray that my eyes will ALWAYS be on Jesus?
This is war. I’m going out into battle and I need my warrior behind me. Whenever you think of me, the countries, the people, the team, the hard places we are going, will you pray? Maybe every time you see a dog, or a taco, or a funny dance move, or the word JOY- will you be reminded to pray for Jamilyn as she prepares for a race around the world?
And thank you. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I couldn’t do it without you. Your support through prayer is the biggest thing I need and I am so grateful for it. I can feel you all praying for me. I can feel God fighting for me. Thank you. Even though I am the one going, this is a TEAM, an ARMY, and a FAMILY.
Here are ways you can be praying for the people and countries I will be visiting:
With ALL of my love,
Jamilyn
p.s. I’m thinking about starting a private Facebook group for my prayer warriors, if you are willing to be committed to praying for me as I prepare, go on the field, and reenter. I would be posting on there weekly for personal prayer requests throughout my time as a Racer. Please comment or contact me if you are interested in being on that.
