40 DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE DRAWS TO A CLOSE
Today is my last day in the 40 Day Prayer Challenge. It actually took me 42 days. I like starting my day with a devotional, but when I had company for a couple days, that didn’t happen. I have enjoyed my Draw The Circle book, and have since then ordered another couple books that will be here Monday.
When I started the book, for some reason I decided to also incorporate a 40 day fast. I have NEVER done a fast, so this was totally something new. For 40 days I had no dessert and bought no clothing. You would think that was an easy task, and for some it might have been. But those of you who know me, you know how hard this was on me. Not walking in the wilderness hard, but still not easy. I even held true to buying no clothing when I was at the woman’s club convention, even though the Prime Outlets (YES, the same one’s that were in Orlando) were in Williamsburg. I told you it was hard.
When I first started the Draw The Circle book, and writing down my prayers, I was amazed at how fast some of my prayers were being answered. The first week I had MANY prayers answered that I thought would never happen. I was feeling so smug, even special, because the Lord was listening to me. I thanked Him daily, but I still was a little cocky.
Guess what, He yanked those answers right back. Talk about humbling, I was humbled not before any person, but before the Lord. I knew that some of His answers are, “not right now,” but I hadn’t even thought about the answer being, “I changed my mind.”
Part of my daily prayers are that this little blog might reach and touch someone in need. I have never been very open about my religious views, I preferred to keep them private. Sundays were going to be the one day I took off, my day of rest. But then I decided I needed inspiration, and maybe I could also be an inspiration. I sincerely hope these Sunday blog posts are as special to you as they are to me.
I was reading in the book about a man who was traveling with his family. They decided to stop at a rest area to stretch their legs. His family ran on ahead, while he walked around. While he was walking he heard a telephone start ringing. He looked around, and there was a pay phone. He answered the phone, thinking that there might be an emergency. When he said hello, an operator came on and said there was a long distance telephone call for him. She actually said his name. He was stunned, but finally blurted out that it was him. A woman came on the phone and told him she had been contemplating suicide. She had listened to this man speak before, and asked God to let her talk to him. She had no idea how to get in touch with the man, but numbers kept coming into her mind. She wrote them down, and called an operator to make a long distance phone call. She was just as amazed as the man on the other end of the line, when the opeator said he was on the phone. Both of them were truly on a “Long Distance” telephone call. The Lord knows where we are at any given moment, even at a rest stop in the middle of nowhere.
Please feel free to share some of your answered prayers. A first hand testimony is inspiring on so many levels.
Have a blessed Sunday!
I have two daughters and two step daughters. I pray each day that they are happy, safe, healthy and that they each have a closer relationship with God. The youngest wasn’t raised going to church regularly. She and her husband and two young children have not only started attending church, but are involved in Sunday School both teaching children’s classes and attending adult classes. This has truly been an answered prayer. I see such a difference in their attitudes, marriage. and how they spend their free time.
That is fabulous Jill! I loved hearing about their transformation.?
Thank you for being so open about your faith. It’s not always easy, but God is dealing with me to share about Him at work. It is encouraging to read your blog every day, but today was very inspiring.
I’ve had so many prayers answered, but the ones that stand out are how God has been so faithful answering my prayers for my children. Lots of miracles are happening in their lives, and I am one grateful mom.
I love how everyone is mentioning their children. I ordered the Praying Circles Around Your Children Book!
Wow that was great , thank you , I am as you not so open , as I should be with my religious beliefs , I feel I need to follow your steps and perhaps read the book and also fast ..thank you
I enjoy the fashion, that’s what brought me to your blog. But I love the Lord even more so it was such a delight when I saw that we share similar beliefs. Thank you for sharing!
I bought the book but have not yet started. For lent earlier this year though I gave up sweets and shopping. Sadly I failed on the shopping task miserably. I actually bought in anticipation of giving it up! I will try again though.
I have so many answers to prayer, it would take up too much space to start listing them, some were answered as I wanted, others not. But in the end it’s all good.
Have a blessed Sunday!
I’m so glad you do the Sunday inspiration posts. I read them on the way to church. I think it’s important for us to set aside time to reflect on the blessings of God.
I haven’t read that book yet nor done the 40 day challenge. Maybe the time is now.
God Bless You.
Thanks for that story! God is amazing! Your Sunday post are inspiring! Thanks for having the courage to share:)
I look forward to your Sunday posts and your challenge. So glad for you.
So glad to read this post! I’m 3 days away from finishing my 40 days and was wondering how yours turned out.
I have been extremely busy dice 2016 began with work. When 2014 began, it felt like my life was full of sinkholes wherever I turned especially at work. After spending way too long feeling sorry for myself, I wrote a year long blog celebrating what I did have in my life. It was a sort of precursor to the 40 Day Challenge.
Life today has become so blessed as a result–financially, in terms of fulfillment, and regaining a service- oriented focus.
The struggle now is with weight management and using food for comfort and stress relief. I know there is a spiritual lack on my part that underlies this issue and I did not do well with this during the 40 Day Challenge consistently, though there is improvement.
Thank you for sharing your experiences of the 40 Day Challenge. Though I love your fashion posts, your Sunday posts are my favorite and they inspire me. Thank you for that!
Thanks Mary. We are all guilty of feeling sorry for ourselves. I only have to look around me to count my MANY blessings. I am glad you reminded me that if everything comes easy, we take it for granted. Struggles can sometimes be our biggest blessings.
I look forward to your Sunday columns and I do have a prayer that was answered just recently. My daughter had to travel by train from Maine to Virginia by herself. She was leaving at 6 in the evening and would not arrive home until 6 the next morning. This was her first trip on a train and she is also a Type I diabetic. I prayed for her safety for that long journey. As she was ready to leave Maine she calls me to say that she has met 3 older ladies who were also on the same train. She said they were about her grandmothers age. Those 3 ladies kept my daughter company for the entire trip. I have no doubt that they were 3 angels sent to watch over my daughter that night.
Thanks for sharing Patti! I have a daughter in Alaska that I pray for daily. Your post gave me hope that there are angels protecting her, even if I am not aware of them.?
It is so lovely to read some personal things about you. First of all I think it’s very good of you that you kept to your challenge. I tried got a month to not buy any clothes, in January when nothing new comes out, and the next month I bought even more! I am not religious, but I do believe in,, something,,.I love those kind of stories. Happy Sunday 🙂
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Hi Tania, I have been following your blog for about a month now. This particular blog spoke to me. I have found that when we pray, we also need to listen. When we listen, then we see. I believe God answers all prayers, it may not be a yes, but he answers them. We need to look for some answers and some answers hit you in the face. We need give Him praise & thanks. I have been taught that everything is in Gods timing, sometimes we must wait. Have a beautiful week. ?