Prayers For Oklahoma

Our hearts are saddened by the devastation that was left in the wake of the deadly tornadoes recently in the Oklahoma City area. Please continue to diligently pray for everyone in that area.

Heavenly Father,

We lift up the people of Moore, Oklahoma and those immediately affected by the tornado. We ask that you bring comfort to those who have lost friends and family and to those who are desperately searching for lost loved ones. Please be with any survivors that may be trapped or waiting to be reunited with their family. Send your Holy Spirit to give them peace and hope during this time. Lord we ask that you be with those who have lost their homes. As they sift through the rubble that was once their lives, we ask that you put your arms around them. Lead them in the direction to find shelter, warmth and solace. 

Lord we ask that you send your angels to comfort the children in that area. Give them loving arms to cling to, send them love and joy when none seem to exist. Also, preserve their innocence Lord, shield their eyes to the horrors of death and tragedy. Take away any fear or trepidation that overwhelms them. Fill their hearts and minds with Your love, Lord.

And Father, please be with the rescue workers who work tirelessly to uncover survivors. Give them the stamina and wisdom to seek life out of the horrific debris. Thank you for those that run to the devastation to lend a helping hand. Thank you to those who see a need and strive to fulfill it.

For those of us who stand from afar feeling helpless during times like these, may be hug our children a little tighter today. May we appreciate those little annoyances in life as we remember those who have lost so much.

Amen

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Blindspot

One Saturday I was out running errands with my two boys. In and out of the car. In and out of the store. Rinse and repeat. You know what I'm talking about right? It's the Mommy Mantra.

We finally finished our last stop, and as I'm creeping my way through the busy grocery store parking lot, I pass in front of the grocery store entrance. While inching along, I didn't notice a man walking with his daughter coming out of the store to my left. They obviously had the right of way, so they walk forward to cross in front of me. However, I only saw them at the very last second when the man was close enough to touch my car. Fortunately, since I wasn't going very fast, I was able to stop in time and let them pass.

I was horrified I hadn't seen them. He was even more horrified that I hadn't yielded and gave me the look to make sure I knew it. Where had they come from?! Why didn't I see them?! Simple. They were in my blindspot. You know, that annoying part of the car that keeps the roof and the windows in place? That is exactly the spot that obstructed my view. Although I thought I was being careful, I failed to recognize what was happening right in front of me (or at least to the immediate left).

Do you have something in your life obstructing your view? Or maybe a blindspot keeping you from seeing something clearly? It could be a thought, an addiction, or maybe even a friend or family member. We all have things hindering us from truly fulfilling God's will. When people, things and situations are against God's command, it's easy for us to overlook them. It's our very own personal blindspot. And unlike the one in the car, we can't just look around it anymore, we have to get rid of it.

Heavenly Father,

Please help me to recognize that area in my life which is causing a blindspot. There's something or someone hindering me from seeing the truth about myself and the people around me. I'm sorry I have let myself be blinded by this obstacle. I want to be made aware of what is keeping me from my full potential with You. Please remove any thought, deceit, or object standing in my way. I have believed the enemy's lies that I don't need to see things Your way. I believed people when they told me it was just the way I was, and that I didn't need to change my perspective. Lord I ask you tear down walls I have built to separate myself from others. Break down the strongholds weighing me down. Expose those areas of my life keeping me from Your will, Lord. Give me a new lens that reveals a new perspective on my position as a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend. I need You to reveal Your love to me, Lord. Let my focus be on You, and not my defeats or weaknesses. I claim victory in this area of my life, Lord. Your vision will be my vision.

In Jesus' name, amen.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38, 39