Worn journals, stacked in a basket near my bedside table, reveal promises kept. I’ll pray for you. When the words rolled off my tongue, I’d meant them. Some are difficult to read as if an unexpected bit of water rained down from above. Anguished prayers wrought from the soul for the friend who hurt so deeply or the loved one with wounds that descended as deep as the devil’s domain.
All are a reminder to continue.
Glancing at the left margin of each page, I notice the name of each person listed. The year and the date are recorded along with the plea I raised heavenward. Next to some names, I’d placed a simple checkmark a page or two later. The petition had been heard and answered.
Many other names remain unmarked. They are the dear ones living without margin; the ones seeking answers Elsewhere. They live for smaller gods searching for fulfillment in something, anything, or anyone that will give them joy. Purpose. Meaning.
[bbctt tweet="They live for smaller gods searching for fulfillment.#purpose #meaning #God"]
A few of their names boast a triumphant checkmark near the left margin while others continue from one journal until the next; year after year. Why do I continue praying? Because God loves a tearstained journal filled with the names of people ushered into the kingdom.
Why Persevere in Prayer?
The prayers I’ve journaled or spoken aloud are nothing special of their own accord. They can neither impress God with their beauty nor cause Him to turn away because they lack in some way. God is interested in my heart and yours. From the beginning, the Father invited His children to commune with Him. To walk with Him. To know and be known by Him.
[bbctt tweet="Through prayer, our spirits engage in communion with the Creator.#prayer #whypray"]
Through prayer, our spirits engage in communion with the Creator.
Scripture affirms that prayer is:
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powerful-“Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.” (2 Peter 3:9 MSG)
and,
God is:
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patient-“Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.” (2 Peter 3:9 MSG).
[bbctt tweet="We cannot tire a limitless God nor burden the omnipotent Master.#prayer#reconciled"]
We cannot tire a limitless God nor burden the omnipotent Master. Instead, He invites us to participate in the work of reconciling the world to its rightful place and position under His care through our poorly uttered prayers and petitions in the quiet places of our homes, in the cozy nooks of coffee shops, or the full pew on a mid-week service.
Even Jesus said:
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persevere-“Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.” (Luke 18:1 NRSV)
The Names in the Margin
When the names in the margin remain year after year, the ink sometimes blurs. Skepticism steps inside eternity’s doorway and pushes hope aside. But, the names in the margin need us more than ever.
God is patient. Prayer is powerful. And, living in the margin diminishes day by day.
Persevering in prayer is a call to live a life of love.
Peace and grace,
Tammy
I often link-up with the following wonderful bloggers:
Mondays InstaEncouragements/ Anita Ojeda, Mandy and Michele, Kingdom Bloggers,
Tuesdays RaRa Linkup /GraceFull Tuesday / Tell His Story/Anchored Abode,
Wednesdays Worth Beyond Rubies, Recharge Wednesday / Welcome Wednesday /LetsHave Coffee/Porch Stories
Thursdays Heart Encouragement / Tune In Thursday /Salt and Light / Five Minute Friday
Friday Counting My Blessings, Faith on Fire, Blogger Voices Networ
From those of us who patiently wait, praying continuously, thanks. This piece is very encouraging and what I needed to hear this morning.
Hi, Niki. It can be disheartening to pray and not see the fruit. One day, we will. I’m so glad you were encouraged! Blessings, Tammy
I thank God each day that He is not giving up on me, my family, my friends, and mankind. Live and pray for the margins! I love this thought ma’am.
I’m grateful, as well. He is a good God! Peace and grace, Tammy
There is security in knowing someone prays for me with patience, love, and perseverance. I can stand on that foundation, press into suffering and trust God more deeply. I loved your emphasis on how much those who have been in the margin a long time need us all the more. I pray I can grow to pray like this for others.
Hi Karisa. I find comfort comfort in knowing others are praying for me, too. I wasn’t always a prayer warrior. It was a process of becoming practiced in prayer because the love I had for a prodigal drove me to my knees. Those prayers didn’t bear fruit until thirteen years later, but they were answered in beautiful and unexpected ways. Peace and grace, Tammy
Thank you. Facing a big battle right now and prayer is my best weapon. laurensparks.net
Lauren, I’m praying on our behalf right now. He hears your pleas!
We may get tired of praying, but God doesn’t get tired of our seeking of him. Thanks for this encouragement.
Theresa, I’m beyond grateful for His tireless faithfulness to us. Many blessings, Tammy
Beautifully written. The names in the margin, the request that move from journal to journal, the constant heart of the prayer-er. Great reminder to never quit praying.
Hi, Laurie. I’m so glad you stopped by today! Many blessings, Tammy
Beautiful, Tammy. I journal. I have different types of journals (one right now as I walk through a valley, and a prayer journal, prayers for hurting people and pages of people who mentioned unsaved loved ones on a social media post. On the post I mentioned my testimony of coming to know Christ as Savior at 16, then started praying daily for my atheist father to believe in God and accept Christ as Lord. when my heart waned, I inserted his name in salvation scripture and prayed them out loud. 16 years later my dad met Jesus as His personal Savior. We never give up praying for our loved ones. And it’s encouraging to look back and see answered prayers.
What a day of celebration it must have been for you when your father accepted Christ! I believe praying scripture over people is incredibly powerful. They are God’s words, not our own, and they do not return void. I, too, feel encouraged when I look back at the answered prayers in my journals. I know our Father works through them. Peace and grace, Tammy
I love your closing line: “Persevering in prayer is a call to live a life of love.”
Amen! Sometimes those prayers do take years. I know I prayed for my dad to be saved and it took 17 years. We prayed for children and it took 10 years. The answer is awesome, whenever it comes!
Praising God for answered prayers! Blessings, Tammy
What a blessing and encouragement this was to me this morning, Tammy! And now I’m off to my prayer lists, too.
Oh, Bethany, my heart is smiling. Peace and grace, Tammy
This is such a powerful post. This right here —> When the names in the margin remain year after year, the ink sometimes blurs. Skepticism steps inside eternity’s doorway and pushes hope aside. But, the names in the margin need us more than ever.
Pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstamces.
Thank you, Mary. Blessings, Tammy