What does it look like to invite God into your daily life through prayer?
Awhile back I watched a funny movie featuring Tom Cruise. Do you know that classic storyline where something crazy happens and someone is in the wrong place at the wrong time and is now fleeing for their life because they saw too much?
Well, that’s exactly what happens in this movie. Tom Cruise (a super spy) and the female character end up in a crazy situation and are now fleeing for their lives. Without realizing the severity of their current predicament, Cruise’s co-star tries to go home thinking everything will go back to normal.
Instead of forcing the woman to continue on the escapade, Cruise let’s her leave but makes sure he communicates the chances of her survival with or without him. “With me” he says while raising his hand (as if setting the bar), then “without me,” and drops his hand down. Then he repeats the gesture, “with me … without me.”
This quote has stuck with me over the years and has been coming to mind more recently over the past few months.
“With me … without me …”
Pacing Prayers
I’m currently going through a transition period at work and have been juggling a lot of projects while pursuing clarity and growth. Change can be an exciting venture, but it can also cause stress and uncertainty while you’re working through the fog. There are times when my brain is overwhelmed, and time appears to be flying by without much progress being made. And in another moment, I’m being blown away by the amazing ways God is moving. When the impossible is looming ahead and we invite God into the conversation/situation, we experience His power and His solution to our problems.
When the impossible is looming ahead and we invite God into the conversation/situation, we experience His power and His solution to our problems
Amanda Mauer, Across My Heart
Not too long ago I had a difficult conversation coming up and had no peace while prepping for the meeting. I started pacing around the room praying and asking God for wisdom and direction. It’s hard to explain but in a flash a thought came to my mind as a peace flooded over me and a calmness settled in my spirit.
It was still a difficult conversation, but God was there in that moment. He lit the way and made His presence known.
“With me … without me …”
Settling Prayers
A great individual who comes to mind when I think of setting a culture of prayer is my mother. I could name countless examples of some stressor popping up in my life and my mom pausing and saying – “Let’s pray about it.” I could be walking out the door in the morning or even talking to her over the phone and we’ll stop quickly and pray.
This has also become a regular part of my life at work. I’ve loved experiencing a work culture where my coworkers will turn their attention to God and ask for His wisdom and guidance. Inviting God into these daily moments is such a refreshing experience!
I’ve loved experiencing a work culture where my coworkers will turn their attention to God and ask for His wisdom and guidance. Inviting God into these daily moments is such a refreshing experience!
Amanda Mauer, Across My Heart
Shepherding Prayers
I’ve been reading through the book “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller and in the book he mentions, “In studying this psalm it must always be remembered that it is a sheep in the Good Shepard’s care who is speaking. It is essentially a Christian’s claim of belonging in the family of God.”
Taking a deep dive into this psalm has been such an eye-opening experience, especially seeing it through the eyes of the author – a shepherd!
In Psalm 23:1-3 it says. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” What a beautiful picture!
You can see the time, care, and selfless dedication a Good Shepherd, who truly delights in his sheep, invests into his flock. And as believers, adopted sons and daughters of Christ, we can take pride in belonging to the Good Shepherd just as David did as he wrote this psalm.
“With me … without me …”
We Get to Decide
At the end of the movie Tom Cruise is in a sticky situation and tables are turned as his female co-star swings in to save the day. While they’re driving off into the proverbial sunset, she turns to him and says, “With me … without me, with me … without me.” To which he replied, “with you.”
I love having this reminder pop into my mind as I’m going throughout my day. The path in front of us doesn’t always seem clear, but we have a God who goes before us. In Deuteronomy 31:8 it says, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
“With me … without me …”
