
5/27/2026
"There are, and there ought to be, stated seasons of communion
with God when, everything else shut out, we come into His presence to
talk to Him and to let Him speak to us; and out of such seasons springs
that beautiful habit of prayer that weaves a golden bond
between earth and heaven."
E.M. Bounds
Recently a prominent Christian pastor lost his son to cardiac arrest from a drug overdose, and although he knew that his son had struggled for some time, his overdose and subsequent death came as quite a shock to him and his family. Anytime there is loss, especially tragic loss of a child, the grief is harder to bear. Parents are not supposed to bury their children. In the season of grief, the pastor has struggled to pray, and of course this concerned him, because he is a pastor, and he has a congregation to shepherd. He was concerned about his inability to pray or want to pray. When he cried out to the Lord, God heard and answered him saying he needed time to grieve, and he felt that God was telling him that this would be a time to rest, close his mouth (step away from the podium) and listen to what He is saying to him at this time. I understand the need for these times of being still in the Presence of our Abba Father, and I understand the need to grieve. I lost a spiritual daughter not too long ago, and I am still struggling daily with the loss. I have felt the need to get away, but I don't know where to go in this place I no longer know from having living away for so long. Coming home is difficult. Sometimes we get so busy doing the work of the Father that we forget to ask Him what we are to do. And in these times when we are unable to pray, thankfully we have Holy Spirit who makes intercession for us, lifting our prayers heavenward where Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. Our prayers arise as incense to Abba Father.
I am very familiar with times when I simply do not know how to pray. I can be sitting in a prayer group, listening to others go before the throne of grace, and feel so distant. I can be in complete agreement with what they are praying, but I am unable to voice the depth of my feelings. Sometimes all I've done in my quiet times is cry, and yet there are times in those tears when I can visualize the battle or feel the depth of a person's despair that has now become mine. Standing in the gap for another can be exhausting for a time, but we learn how to release the problem into God's hand, because the battle is His, not ours.
In recent days I have ached to comfort those I know are grieving or suffering, and I have stood in the gap for those who have prodigal children, who once loved Jesus but now have drifted away. I know this battle well. With all the special prayer and events associated with the 250th celebration of our nation, along with other ongoing concerns and responsibilities, I have found myself in a place where fighting off distractions has become increasingly difficult. This could be part of the spiritual battle or it could be my own flesh. I always tend to blame myself for every flaw, but I am very aware of the spiritual battle that is going on. I also know the distractions that are strategically placed, and they are very needful of prayer and action, but for me, I know that my focus is to remain on what God has said to do. So, I need my quiet times away to be still and listen to what God says, not man. Part of the problem is silencing the noise of opinion or perspective. The battle is the Lord's according to 2 Chronicles 20:15, so we leave the results in His hands. We have our work, and He has His. Many times we try to help God. Imagine that! Trying to help the Creator of the Universe! He doesn't need us, but He does want a relationship with us. He wants us to enjoy Him. Come and sit awhile. Listen to what He has to say to us in the midst of the turbulence, the unsettling feelings and thoughts, and the continuous lies and lawlessness that our world has adopted.
I was talking to my daughter today, and she was reminding me of my words to memorize scripture, graft it on her heart, as one day we may not have the privilege of owning a Bible. We are fast approaching some very disturbing consequences of our unfaithfulness in using our Constitutional liberties. The church is asleep, and the uncompromising Word of the LORD is not being preached, and the sheep are not being taught for various reasons. It is time to wake up, grow up, and take our place defending our faith, knowing how to stand in these uncertain times. The Bible is our guide, and Jesus is the word of truth.
The only way anyone knows the truth is by learning from the Lord Himself, reading and studying the word, and allowing Holy Spirit to lead us to all truth, as Jesus said He would do. And we learn in the quiet places. It's time to separate ourselves from this world, find the quiet places, sit and listen to what the Spirit of the LORD is saying to us today. Learn from Him, not the media or those who scroll. Be still and know that He is God.