Pray over Everything
Recently I learned that I need to pray over everything. I came to this realization because I walked into a lion’s den and found out I wasn’t prepared for it. I was just going about my day, grabbing my coffee, sitting in traffic, listening to Christian music, grabbing my umbrella and walking into the hospital at which I am training. Long story short: I misunderstood my supervisor’s instructions, which caused my supervisor to become so infuriated with me that she had to walk away from me, excuse herself, get sick in the bathroom numerous times, and then return to me only to say, “What part of __________ didn’t you understand,” as her voice and eyeballs shook with anger. I stood there rather perplexed and silently said, “God, excuse me, but we have a problem here (911 to Heaven, over, 911 – do you copy?); what just happened and what do I do now?”
I drove home that day feeling like I had been in a car wreck. My arms and legs were a little shaky. I was completely baffled as to how the misunderstanding happened. After all, I thought I understood the instructions and I had no reason to doubt that I understood them - until the lion devoured me that day. I drove home thinking, “Wow God, I need to pray over everything don’t I?” I’ve just been be-bopping about my day. Sure, I say a prayer in the morning. I say a prayer during the day, and I say a prayer at night. I pray for friends constantly, and I pray for myself and my family constantly, but I haven’t ever prayed over everything. Not that I am suggesting that I develop a full blown obsessive compulsive disorder and start praying over the paper towels when I grab one, the window when I clean it, or the milk when I pour it, but I am praying over everything else. I pray over emails. I pray over my writing before I begin, I pray over everything that I do for the Warrior Mom company that my partner, Barbara, and I are building in Christ, I pray over my children when they leave the house. I’m surprised I haven’t done this before, as my children are so precious to me. I pray over my marriage and my husband when he leaves for work. I pray over my grocery shopping – that God will help me find good deals and remain within my budget. I pray over the classroom in which I sit and take classes. I pray before I do the check book and pay bills – that God will help me do it accurately. I pray before I walk into the hospital – that God will direct my steps, my actions, my words, and my thoughts – and that He’ll help me understand directions, and alert me to potential mistakes before I make them. I pray over all the patients for whom I care - that God will give me discernment and a keen understanding of their diagnoses.
Praying over everything has really slowed me down. I’ve been doing it for a week now, and I am amazed at the countless times God has shown me mistakes right before I’m about to make them. I’m amazed at the countless times He’s impressed upon me to say or not say something. He’s reminded me of at least 10 things that I almost forgot to do. I’ve had such a great week. No, it hasn’t been free from trouble or hardship, but it has been more manageable because I feel more secure and protected by my Heavenly Father – because I am!
I encourage you to pray over everything. You will be amazed at the difference it makes in your day, your relationships, your job, your children’s lives, your everything! When we start to pray over everything, it makes us stop and acknowledge that God truly does have everything in His hands. We just have to stop long enough to remind ourselves that God is our everything. Praying over everything reminds us that He’s got everything under control. Let us then, pray over it, entrust Him with it, and walk in the peace that His divine intercession brings on our behalf.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – thing about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:4-9
WMU!
Love,
Kristina
The Warrior Mom Ministry was founded by Kristina Seymour, author of The Warrior Mom Handbook – Equipping Women through the Word, a Bible study for moms who desire to live by faith in the midst of their everyday lives. Kristina has learned that moms can't survive on caffeine and animal crackers alone; women in the Word and in community are united and able to stand firm. To learn more about The Warrior Mom Handbook, the Warrior Mom Ministry, and to sign up for daily encouragement, visit, www.warriormoms.net.
Originally published Tuesday, 18 February 2014.
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