Unspoken Prayer

She walked into the building trembling inside, trying to trust even though the fear was overwhelming.  The urge to bolt was strong, if she could just sit in the back she would feel much better.

She suddenly felt like she needed to share her secret, if she told it maybe she could just sit in the back and get a grip on the fear that was plaguing her right now.  To share a side of herself in person with someone who might not understand would be hard to do, but at the moment it sounded easier than the alternative.  Besides she was in church, it should be safe to share what she was feeling at church. So she made the decision to confide in a friend the fear she was feeling, laying her heart out vulnerable as her secret was told

What happened next hit her like a punch to the stomach.  She had been hoping for relief but instead she was met with annoyance and anger as the words “you need to realize you are not the only person with stuff going on” were said to her along with the story of how badly this person’s day had been going so far.  Suddenly she felt embarrassed and ashamed.  She felt ashamed for being so selfish, and embarrassed for being so weak. She wished she could take it back, wished she had listened to the voice inside that had warned her to keep her mouth shut.

The feeling to bolt from the room was now stronger than ever as she wondered what was wrong with her and why couldn’t she couldn’t just get a grip on herself?

If God was here, why did she feel so alone at this moment, in the one place where she usually felt Him the most?  Wasn’t this a place that she was supposed to feel safe?

Though she wanted to run away, something stopped her and her stubborn side kicked in. With every fiber of strength she had left she walked to the front of the room and sat down on the front row. She swallowed the lump in her throat and pushed back the tears that were threatening to pour down any second and she made the decision that no matter how she felt she had to do this. She was tired of running, she was tired of hiding.  God had never failed her before and she knew he wasn’t going to fail her this time either.

The service started and after the first song she suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to silence the sound on her phone. She pulled her phone from her purse to turn it off and as she hit the volume button a text message flashed across the screen.  The message said ‘I love you!! I read what you wrote, this morning, I have been down the same road…I see why God sent us here, because we need each other! You are a blessing to so many people and I will be praying for you all this morning!’

She looked at her phone stunned and then she knew she had just seen the hands of Jesus right there on it’s screen.

She sat there lost in thought for a few moments when she suddenly realized the pastor was getting ready to pray and he was asking the same question he asks the congregation every week, “Does anyone in the room have something on their heart that is hard to share today? Just raise your hand and I will put it on my personal prayer list,” Her hand went up along with other hands in the room.

As a prayer for the room was said, a sudden peace like no other began washing over her.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.

God was here…

Calm and reassurance began taking place of the fear she had felt only moments before, the words ‘you are not alone’ filled her mind as her heart became entwined with the other hearts in the room.

And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.

God’s power was present in a huge way that day as she realized that YES it was true, she was not the only person with stuff going on.  We all have ‘stuff” and God had brought them all together in that place to be there for one another.

The church is a place for the hurting and the broken people.  It is a place where all can come together as one and lay our burden down and rest our weary heads. The church is a place that has been built on love, God’s love and there is always plenty of His love to go around.

God can wipe our tears and answer each and every single prayer. He answers the spoken and unspoken requests and His peace flows in abundance and is free for anyone who wishes to partake in it.

 

23 thoughts on “Unspoken Prayer”

  4. Juanita says:
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    Terri, when you share your fears and innermost thoughts, you resonate with many people, myself included. I’m glad God gave you the gift of exposing your vulnerability. It lifts me up and lets me see how you trust God and He always answers. God bless you.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Nancy says:
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    In light of your last post, this was like a breath of fresh air and a testimony to the goodness of God to see us through our struggles. At times, anxiety rears it’s ugly head in my life and this post reminded me again that He will meet me in my fearful times. Thank you for your honesty.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Freedomborn ... Aussie Christian Focus says:
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    So very True T, the fleshy world says….Laugh and the world laughs with you cry and you cry alone but Jesus says come to me all you who are burdened and I will give you rest and as confirmed in the Scriptures below, we are the Body of Christ, we are to be there for each other, to cry with and comfort those who are hurting.

    Philippians 2:1-6 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of Love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same Love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

    2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

    Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one anther’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

    Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

    Hebrews 10 24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up Love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

    Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

    1 John 3:16-18 By this we know Love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the Love of God abide in Him? My little children, let us not Love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in Truth. ( N.K.J.V)

    1 John 4:11-13 Beloved, if God so Loved us we ought also to Love one another. No man hath seen God at any time if we Love one another God dwelleth in us and His Love is Perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in Him and He in us because He hath given us of His Spirit.(KJV)

    1 John 4:6-8 Beloved, let us Love one another for Love is of God and every one that Loveth is Born of God, and knoweth God. He that Loveth not knoweth not God; for God is Love.(KJV)

    John 13:34-35, A new Commandment I give unto you, That ye Love one another; as I have Loved you, that ye also Love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples, if ye have Love one to another.

    1 Peter 3:7-9 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, Love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.
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    Christian Love in Christ Jesus – Anne.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Terri says:
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      Yes you are right we are, and sometimes even though we are hurting when we are there to help others it somehow helps to make us feel better too. Thanks for your comment and your video song, I like words to the song a lot 🙂

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  9. Megan says:
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    Thank you for this, Terri. My family has been going to the same church for the past 10 years now. We are in a season of change right now that has left many people in our congregation wounded. This is a great reminder for what the church should be. A place for the lost, hurt and needy.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Terri says:
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      Megan, I am so sorry to hear this about your church, Keep praying, I know that God has a plan in place and though right now you can’t see it, a few years from now you will look back on this time and you will be amazed. During this season you can be the light letting others see Jesus shine through you. Thank you so much for your comment and will pray for you and your family and church!

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  10. Beverley says:
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    Wow, Terri it’s good to be back reading your words. Loving the new style of the blog too. This is so true Terri, church has helped me a lot over the last few months. It is a place for the broken. We just have look at testimonies around the world the same common theme, if it wasn’t for God where would I be. Etc etc.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Terri says:
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      Thank you so much and I am so glad you are back. I do love my church, and most of the time if I am down once I leave there I realize I leave so much better, You are right without God where would any of us be, I am so glad we have him.

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  11. Beverley says:
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    Hi Terri, can I say I totally understand what you are talking about. Although I am able to sit at the front in church, until it’s over, I do know that social anxiety can be crippling. Over the years I have found myself counting to thirty slowly or any numbers you want to when I feel panicked and it has helped. I am still unable to speak in front of others in meetings, seminars, speech etc irrespective of whether I know the group or not. I Will keep you in prayers Terri, as I totally understand. The other thing I do is blame it on satan, 🙂 as God did not give us the spirit of fear. And anything that causes us distress is Always from satan. Terri, at times I literally tell myself “this is not from God” and often the anxiety passes. One other thing my pastor said. Is to memorise a scripture everytime you feel the social anxiety, that has helped too. I feel for you because I have been there. Don’t worry about what anyone says ok. You are a child of God.
    Isiah 43:1 LORD says– “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Xx.
    Ps. Hope it went well…

    Liked by 1 person

    • Terri says:
      Reply

      Hi Beverley, Thank you so much for sharing your story and your encouragement. When I have to talk in front of a group, which is not very often, I usually can not memorize what it is I have to say because I am so nervous. Instead now what I do is not memorize anything and pray for God to give me the words once I get up there plus I also carry a card up with this scripture written on it. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Though I know it by heart for some reason if I panic usually if I see that God takes over.
      P. S..yes it a went well, she did receive peace and it all went extra well, The Holy spirit took over 🙂

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