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The prayer road has potholes

I just got back from a quick walk with my dogs, the ones that smell like a skunk. We walked down the gravel road near my house. In the past I have referred to this as The Prayer Road because I have walked hundreds of miles on this road while saying my prayers. (https://missykuester.com/walking-the-prayer-road-each-morning/) Today, it struck me how the road has potholes, the prayer road has potholes. That perfectly describes the past month and a half.

I haven’t felt like writing. It’s a combination of being busy, not feeling creative and depression. February isn’t my favorite month, but this past February started a pattern of what felt like an attack. It started with reliving the memories of February 2022, followed by stress with my husband’s job. While it ended up working out for the best, I was left with emotional scars.

This month the streak continued with flooding, water issues, and a bunch of small annoyances that added up. Did I mention my smelly dogs? Yeah, they personally met a skunk. During this time, I decided to reread Harold Kushner’s When Bad Things Happen to Good People. (https://www.amazon.com/When-Things-Happen-Good-People/) I read this book 30 years ago. The biggest take away was this: “Prayer is not primarily a matter of asking God to change things. If we can come to understand what prayer can and should be; and rid ourselves of some unrealistic expectations, we will be better able to call on prayer, and on God, when we need them most.”

I kept praying for God to change my circumstances; stop the flood water and snow, give my husband a better job, clean my water, keep my cistern from flooding. Instead, God sent people. He showed me that I wasn’t alone in the mud, figuratively and literally. He gave me strength when I didn’t think I had any. He brought me people who could fix things.

Things are starting to look up, even though my dogs still smell, and it snowed again today. And I think The Prayer Road will have potholes for a while. The potholes will be a reminder that though I prayed hard for my circumstances to change, it was me instead that was changed. The Prayer Road has potholes but they remind me there is hope.

My soul Sings sunrise

My Soul Sings

Ever since we bought this farm, I have tried to describe the feelings I get. Not too long ago, I talked about my daily walks along what I call The Prayer Road. See my post https://missykuester.com/walking-the-prayer-road-each-morning/.  This morning as I walked and listened to music, a song came on that probably best describes my feelings. It is a song by Maverick City Music called My Soul Sings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNIMIUtz9OE). The lyrics struck me:

I feel Your goodness on the mountain
And I saw Your love down in the valley
And Your grace still surrounds me
God You’ve been good to me
Yes You’ve been good to me .
And my soul sings
My soul it sings

Instantly I knew that was the emotion I had been feeling all along

Psalms 108:2 

Arise, my soul, and sing his praises! I will awaken the dawn with my worship, greeting the daybreak with my songs of light. (TPT: The Passion Translation)
I’m grateful that right now my routine is to wake up, have a cup of coffee and then walk in the morning. It gives me time to reflect and set my mind on being joyful and intentional. Then I get to work. This routine may change in the coming months but for now, I will awaken the dawn with my worship for My Soul Sings with joy, goodness, and thanksgiving.

What do you think?

Consequently, I have contemplated creating a devotional based on this farm. It would be short observations I have here on the farm. Think anyone would be interested?

 

 

 

Prayer Road

Walking the prayer road each morning

The paved road that runs in front of my house turns to gravel just after my driveway. It then curves around the side of our property. If I go out of my driveway and turn to the right I can walk on the smooth, blacktop road.  However, when I turn left out of my driveway, I have to walk on the gravel portion of the road and not a soul lives on that portion. Initially, Chris and I would walk the paved portion. But lately, I have decided to walk the gravel portion. I have begun to refer to it as the Prayer Road.

Walking with God each morning

My prayer life has wavered over the past 40 years. In recent years, I have made a concerted effort to pray each day. I have learned that prayer doesn’t have to be kneeling by your bed with your hands folded, eyes closed, and head bowed. No, prayer is more of a conversation with God.

I take daily walks with my dog, Delilah. Additionally, it’s a way to exercise and destress. Now, as I walk, I pray. I intercede to God on behalf of my kids, my family, my friends, even strangers who are suffering, and of course for our country and world. I prefer the morning so that I don’t get too busy and forget. But also, walking with God each morning helps me set the tone for the day ahead. I love the thought that things are made new each morning.before the world tries to spoil it. I love the peace, quiet, and stillness of the morning.

He promises us the morning and with it comes water

From Lamentations 3: 22-23 we learn of the promise of each new morning. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” I love the thought that he promises us the morning to bring a new perspective, outlook, or outcome to our troubles.

Recently, I had a morning revelation. You see, we recently purchased an old farm. With an old place comes issues. One such issue is our well. It’s a natural spring. We have a cistern and if you use too much water all at once it freaks out the pump or runs the cistern dry. One evening not too long ago, it happened to me. There wasn’t much I could do. The old me would have freaked out. Instead, I prayed and went to bed. I woke in the middle of the night to the sound of running water. It was a precious sound.

He promises us the morning and with it comes the water. It was water for my soul and spirit.

The Prayer Road

The Prayer Road for you may look different than mine. In the meantime, I have the luxury right now to walk as far and as long as I want. I have always said that one reason I love to walk is so I can listen to music. Consequently, when I walk I listen to music, Christian music specifically but not always.

Recently, I added a new song by one of my favorite artists, Dante Bowe. https://www.dantebowe.com/home  His voice is authentic. His song, In the Morning, helps me get in the frame of mind to walk and pray. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjDTsnIUo-Q

What roads are you walking on today? Can you carve out time to walk and pray daily? What music do you listen to that helps you throughout the day?

How can I pray for you on the Prayer Road?