Posts Tagged prayer

Monday, October 29, 2012

On the day her first son was born, Morrow spent much of the afternon picking beans and standing at the kitchen sink getting ready for canning. Morrow was married to William, a dairy farmer, and used to hard work. There was always much to do in helping to run the farm – milking, canning, gardening, and so much more.

Morrow never earned university degrees or made great speeches or wrote books. She simply knew how to pray. And pray she did. She prayed for her all of her children, including her first born. She once said in an interview, “The resources of the Christian mother are limited solely by the love and grace of God. It is to Him that she turns in prayer, not only for the strength needed for each day but also for blessings for her children. Through prayer there comes wisdom, understanding, and grace. As our children sense our prayer lives they too learn the vital place of communion with our Heavenly Father.”

After 46 years of marriage, William died. Morrow did not mope, but devoted herself more than ever to prayer. Morrow could quote and remember scriptures and apply them to everyday living with ease. Untrained by a theological seminary, she kept putting together the bits of truths she learned from her daily Bible study and in the end became a woman whose biblical knowledge touched untold numbers of people.

At the end of her life, her oldest son called her from a revival campaign in France. Weak and in pain, she passed on through her caregiver a verse for her preacher son: “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Colossians 1:9 KJV).

The legacy of a dying woman, to bless her son one more time with the confirmation of her prayers. Morrow’s dedication to prayer has impacted literally millions of people all over the world.

Her son has counseled and prayed with presidents. He has held more than 400 crusades in 185 countries. He has won a Congressional Gold Medal and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Freedom Award, among many others. But most of all, he has lived a consistent life of single focus: that of sharing the good news of the Gospel.

Her full name, Morrow Coffey Graham. Her son’s name is Billy Graham.

If you feel your prayers will  not make a difference, remember the impact of this one woman’s prayers.

(Information taken from Mothers of Influence, published by Honor Books.)

Monday, August 27, 2012

I am privileged to honor and introduce you to amazing mothers on a frequent basis. However, I am a little surprised I can feel equally as giddy about each one. But I do. Each one I hold in the highest esteem and am impressed with each unique trait. Despite their common thread of being passionate and dedicated mothers, each has her own quality that makes her unique and special.

Today’s mother is no different. She is just a down-to-earth and down-right precious woman. She is warm and funny and sincere, not to mention a true prayer warrior. Vicki Funk of Olathe, Kansas is this week’s mother of honor.

Vicki and her daughter Katie. Both beautiful.

Vicki and her husband, Russ, are the parents of Dillon, age 15, Katie, age 6, and Josh, age 3. Vicki is a stay-at-home mom who is busy serving in her kids’ school, church and community group. She teaches a Sunday school class at her church and is also a leader for a Mom’s in Prayer group. When she is not chauffeuring her kids amidst all of these commitments, Vicki likes to attend Bible studies, read and scrapbook.

I asked Vicki our Monday’s with Mom questions and I know you are going to love getting to know her. 

The Funk children; Katie, Dillon, and Joshua. Enjoying Easter and family fun.

What do you wish someone had told you before you had children? I wish someone would have told me to relax. Our first born was an only child for 10 years.  During that time I was a stay-at-home mom and my husband worked from our house for a lot of those years. For the first several years of his life I hovered over our son, anticipating his every need. I think I would have enjoyed his first years more if I would have taken time to relax and just enjoy him more. 

What drives you crazy? Loud voices. Our house is all hardwood flooring on the first floor and it is very noisy. We, myself included, are working on using our indoor voices at all times.

What are you most passionate about concerning being a mother? I think it is important for my kids to know the world does not revolve around them. Of course, this is easier said than done. I think that it is important they see me making time for my relationship with Christ and my relationship with my husband, as well as for each of them. I think this is a continuous battle and I want them to have the selfless attitude our Savior had, instead of the selfish worldly attitude. Yes, I am still working on this myself.

How do you feel about your role as a mother? I feel my role as a mother is to love my children. Love them when they are loveable, love them when they fight, love them when they are sick, love them when they do something wrong, love…love…love…. Hopefully through loving them, they will learn to love others.

What is the one thing you would tell a new mother? Pray! Pray for your children, pray with your children, pray for their schools, pray for their future spouses. Pray, pray, pray!

The Funks. A precious family prayed over by a dedicated mother.

Becoming a mother didn’t come without challenges for Vicki, but she has used the obstacles placed before her as a chance not only to grow her own faith, but to be used by God in many ways. She was generous enough to share more of her journey of motherhood.

“As I said, Dillon was an only child for 10 years. This was not our choice, but God’s. After two miscarriages, we decided to adopt. After two years of paperwork, waiting, and lots and lots of prayer, we adopted Katie from Russia in 2007 when she was 15 months old. 

Shortly after bringing her home we noticed she was not turning towards sounds like she should. After much testing and a trial period with hearing aids, we decided to try cochlear implants. Since our insurance would not cover the surgery, we decided we would have her bilaterally implanted at the same time. It took a while for her to get where she is today, but she is now in her neighborhood school in a normal classroom setting. I thank God for the way He orchestrated things with Katie. We are so very blessed to have her as a part of our family!

Shortly after Katie’s cochlear implant surgery, I found out I was pregnant with our third child. If you meet our third child, Joshua, you will agree with me that he is full of life! I firmly believe things happen in God’s time and not ours. Not a day goes by when I don’t thank God for our three children and how they have blessed our lives.”

Many of us have been guilty of saying we would pray for a loved one, but have not always followed through. Vicki is a prayer warrior not only for her family, but for everyone she knows. What a blessing that is to so many. And what an example for her children to follow. They will grow up realizing the power of prayer and I can think of no greater gift to give your children.

Thank you Vicki, for sharing your heart with us. And thank you for your obedience to 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray continually. Your impact is greater than you know.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Today is the 10th anniversary of the attack on America. I know that, like me, you have thought of the victims, their families, and the survivors from 9/11 all day today. Let’s continue to lift up our country in prayer.

Grace Church in Overland Park, KS. Pastor Tim Howey.

This is the first of a series “know prayer” and these are my notes.

What do you view as the most important time of your day? Some will say a full nights rest, working out, Bible reading. Those that really know prayer, will always say prayer time.

Prayer is your ability to change the world. Referenced James 5:16-18 and Philippians 4:6-7. Prayer changes you too, makes you more God-aware, more calm, less stressed. Stress is our reminder to pray. God is not in a hurry, He is never stressed-out. He gives us the peace that surpasses understanding.

It is very easy to limit yourself to “Now Prayers” only. Now prayers are those that if they are not answered, do not have significance in future years. Referenced 2 Corinthians 4:18. God cares about the details of your today, but also wants us to include things that have future impact.

John 17 :1-26- Jesus’ prayer
1. Glorify Jesus so that people will receive eternal life and really know God (vs. 1-8)
2. Provide spiritual protection for Jesus’ disciples in a spiritually-hostile environment (vs. 9-19)
3. Let the church experience supernatural unity so that the world will believe (vs. 20-23)
4. Let all disciples be with Jesus someday so they will be made complete in Jesus (vs.24-26)

Pastor Tim challenges us to the “40 Day Prayer Challenge”

• Get a journal – a notebook or create an electronic document
• The dates – for “non-list people” write the dates (ex. 9/11 – 10/20); for “list-people” write out a 40-day checklist
• The requests – write a short list of 3-10 prayer requests (maximum); make request #1 something like: 1. daily prayer -  pray daily for 40 days and really connect with You (not just a ritual practice)
• The answers/adjustments – as you pray each day, you’ll have a thought, or remember a comment someone made or event that happened that is related to a possible answer; write it down and date it (when prayer list becomes more a living document, prayer life comes alive)
• The prayer – start small; it just takes a few minutes to pray for your short prayer list every day; as your time with God is good as you begin seeing answers, your time will naturally grow beyond that

You can listen or watch the sermon at the Grace website: http://www.visitgracechurch.com/mediacenter/index.php then scroll to the bottom, click on the Know Prayer series and this is dated 9-4-11.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Today I sat at a stoplight for 20 minutes. And it was both my honor and privilege.

All of America was heartbroken on August 6, 2011 when a Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan. It took the lives of 30 Americans, one of which was SPC Spencer Duncan from Olathe, Kansas. I had read in the news that one of the soldiers was raised in my community, but I did not know the details of his memorial service. I did not have the privilege of knowing this young man, but he died serving my country.

I pulled up to a stoplight about 6 or 7 cars back, lost in my own thoughts. After several minutes, I noticed we were not moving and that I had watched many motorcycles with American flags flying drive through the intersection. After watching no less than 50 or 60 motorcycles pass, I realized there was something going on. As I watched another 5o or more pass, I got chill bumps as it dawned on me what I was witnessing. It was the funeral procession for SPC Spencer Duncan.

The hundreds of motorcycles I watched were from the Patriot Guard Riders. This group of riders started in August 2005 in Kansas when they heard that a fallen soldier’s memorial was being terrorized by protestors from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. They ride to honor the fallen hero as well as limit the intrusion of this church. The Westboro Church attends military funerals and protests with horrible signs, t-shirts and rants vulgarities in the “name of God.” I do try to be respectful of other’s religious beliefs even when I do not agree with them. This particular group does not fall under that umberella for me. They are NOT of the Lord and are contradictive to Christianity. In my opinion. My very strong opinion.

I do not know if the Westboro Church attempted to protest SPC Duncan’s funeral, but I know they did not have a chance to be heard if so. The Patriot Guards were strong in numbers. They have attended numerous military memorials since 2005 and have served these soldiers and their families greatly. It was a privilege to see them in the act of their service. And they will be in my prayers.

I watched with tears stinging my eyes as the last motorcycle, vehicle and police escort made the turn towards the cemetery. Finally, the traffic flowed again, but my mind was on the young man in the hearse ahead, and his mother. Once I became a mother myself, my thoughts always seem to stop on the precious mother that is hurting over the loss or disease of her sweet child. My heart aches for this mother tonight.

As soon as I could this evening, I looked up what I could about today’s funeral procession on line. Once again, it brought tears to my eyes. Literally hundreds of people and students lined the streets with their hands on their hearts, holding flags or saluting as the processional passed them. The pictures in the on-line article were amazing. I don’t doubt that SPC Duncan’s parents were deeply moved and honored at the out-pouring of respect and appreciation they saw for more than 5 miles of crowds. I pray the great pride they felt for their son somehow eased their grief, if only for a moment.

This was one of my favorite pictures in the Kansas City Star newspaper, from an article by John Sleezer. The huge flag held up by the cranes leaves me speechless.

 As Americans, we do feel great saddness and loss when we hear of a soldier losing his life. Just like on August 6, when the news broke of the great casulties. I know I felt a sense of gratitude for their dedication to their country mixed with immense grief that they lost their lives so tragically.

Today though, I realized that when I do not know the fallen hero personally, I am too quick to move on from remembering what was given for my freedoms. For my country. After a few days, I may not even think of it again until it is brought up in conversation or I read another news article. My prayers for the families have ceased and I am back to the insignificant tasks of the day. SPC Spencer Duncan’s parents, his mother, will not cease to mourn the loss of her child in a few days. Not even in a few months, or years.

I have vowed that I will be more diligent in continuing to pray for not only our soldiers’ safety and health, but for the families of those that have given their lives in service. Even though I may not know their names, God does, and He knows them well.

Thank you does not seem enough SPC Duncan, but I am grateful for your dedication to your country. I salute you. May you rest easy in the arms of the Lord now, as you hear Him say, “Well done, thy good and faithful soldier.”

 (Another article revealed that there were other men from the Kansas City area who lost their lives on August 6, 2011. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bryan Nichols, 31, of Kansas City; Spc. Alex Bennett, 23, of Overland Park; and Navy SEAL Matt Mason, 37, of Leawood. Spc. Spencer Duncan was 21.)