An Amazing Gift

Over the past couple of weeks God has been convicting me and encouraging me in my prayer life, and I just have to share what I have learned and what God has taught me! I have been reading the book "The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie OMartian, and I highly recommend it to all wives! God has been working in me through different difficult situations we've been going through, and how thankful I am for trials because of how God works in my life through them. They are hard, frustrating, and very discouraging, but so worth the growth spiritually. Ecclesiastes 7:3 says "Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better". Trials teach us to rely upon God, instead of ourselves, which is something I've always struggled with. I try to do things in my own strength, and when things don't go as planned, I get down and frustrated and discouraged. So why do I complain when I can pray? Why be discouraged when I can pray? Prayer is an amazing tool God has given me to alter and change our life situations for the better! So why wouldn't I? I find myself praying about anything and everything now, even little, seemingly insignificant things. Mostly, I need to pray for my husband and child. For Jon as he leads our family and the youthgroup and is a leader in our church. And for my baby girl that she will grow up to love the Lord with all her heart, realize her need for Him, and live a fulfilled and joyful life serving Him and doing His will! This is our families greatest defense against the devil! The power of prayer is amazing to me! I need to pray instead of compaining or becoming discouraged or feeling sorry for myself, so that I don't grow bitter. What a gift prayer is to us; that we can have fellowship and spill out our hearts to our Heavenly Father and Creator, who in turn hears them, and changes our lives!