These past couple of months I have been reading a book called, "The God Ask" by Steve Shadrack. It is a new requirement that Kids Alive has all their new missionary candidates read to prepare, teach, equip, and practical help in raising personal support. By the way it is a really great book and easy to read for missionaries, new or experienced as well as churches, mission committees and those who support missionaries in understanding some biblical truths and perspectives in regards to support raising. The Holy Spirit has convicted me in several different areas of my life through reading this book.
The first conviction was actually how little time I had ever spent in prayer in regards to raising support. Yes I did pray that God would supply my needs. I thanked Him when He did supply and even more so than what I could have imagined. I would pray when I would have a speaking engagement or sharing individually. But I have to honestly admit that I have never really truly covered my "support raising" time in prayer. Where is was completely and utterly soaked in prayer prior to me sharing verbally, electronically, or in written form.
Steve Shadrack states "The amount of time I spend in prayer can indicate whether I am trusting in God or myself." The Holy Spirit revealed to me my need to spend time in prayer about my support raising. Was I trusting myself to set up the appointments, the words in the letters that would catch people's attention to partner with me? Or was I trusting God? I'd have to say I was trusting God but just in case I had a back-up plan.
Let's just say that this foot stomping was a little painful. There were many mornings of dragging myself out of bed to turn off the alarm and head to my prayer closet did not start out as an easy quest. But I was willing to trust the Spirit's leading and obeying Him by praying over my support raising ministry. Praying for God to set up divine appointments with people, churches, and small groups. Praying over the words that I wrote to people about this new ministry. Praying for God to work in the hearts of each person who would receive the letter before they even received it. Praying for God to be working in the hearts of people before a word was even spoken. Praying for God's vision. Praying for God's provision. Praying to be used by God for His glory.
As I have been sending letters, emails, and sharing with people about God's vision in serving His people in the Dominican Republic, I have gotten to see over and over and over again God's hand at work. I have been blessed beyond measure and my joy is overflowing. But what has blessed me most on this journey are the relationships I have deepened and renewed; and those whom I have met for the first time. I am so anticipating the many others who God will place in my path as I continue this journey of support raising. Anticipating how together we can serve our King with the calling He has given each of us.
Won't you join me in prayer today seeking God's guidance and direction in how to live out your calling for His glory?
The first conviction was actually how little time I had ever spent in prayer in regards to raising support. Yes I did pray that God would supply my needs. I thanked Him when He did supply and even more so than what I could have imagined. I would pray when I would have a speaking engagement or sharing individually. But I have to honestly admit that I have never really truly covered my "support raising" time in prayer. Where is was completely and utterly soaked in prayer prior to me sharing verbally, electronically, or in written form.
Steve Shadrack states "The amount of time I spend in prayer can indicate whether I am trusting in God or myself." The Holy Spirit revealed to me my need to spend time in prayer about my support raising. Was I trusting myself to set up the appointments, the words in the letters that would catch people's attention to partner with me? Or was I trusting God? I'd have to say I was trusting God but just in case I had a back-up plan.
Let's just say that this foot stomping was a little painful. There were many mornings of dragging myself out of bed to turn off the alarm and head to my prayer closet did not start out as an easy quest. But I was willing to trust the Spirit's leading and obeying Him by praying over my support raising ministry. Praying for God to set up divine appointments with people, churches, and small groups. Praying over the words that I wrote to people about this new ministry. Praying for God to work in the hearts of each person who would receive the letter before they even received it. Praying for God to be working in the hearts of people before a word was even spoken. Praying for God's vision. Praying for God's provision. Praying to be used by God for His glory.
As I have been sending letters, emails, and sharing with people about God's vision in serving His people in the Dominican Republic, I have gotten to see over and over and over again God's hand at work. I have been blessed beyond measure and my joy is overflowing. But what has blessed me most on this journey are the relationships I have deepened and renewed; and those whom I have met for the first time. I am so anticipating the many others who God will place in my path as I continue this journey of support raising. Anticipating how together we can serve our King with the calling He has given each of us.
Won't you join me in prayer today seeking God's guidance and direction in how to live out your calling for His glory?
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