Prayerful Pondering

by Pat Luffman Rowland

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I don’t remember a time I didn’t believe in God or know that Jesus was His Son and our Savior, but I made my profession of faith and was baptized at age 12. I’ll never forget the experience of understanding I was the Lord’s! The sun became ten times brighter and it was as if I could hear angels singing. It was a supremely joyful moment. And I can still “see” my immersion baptism in the small Baptist church as if I were looking on. With certainty and gratitude, I can declare that God has never failed me, even though I have failed Him many times over. God has blessed me with family and friends, opportunities and health, freedom and education. He has been ever faithful and I look forward to the day when I can bow at the feet of Jesus and thank Him for His unconditional love that has made all the difference. I have an undergraduate degree in Healthcare Consumer Relations and a master’s in Religious Studies. In 1990, I received the designation of Fellow with the National Society of Patient Representation and Consumer Affairs of the American Hospital Association. I worked for 27 years in healthcare, retiring as Corporate Director of Patient Affairs with Methodist Healthcare in Memphis, TN in 1998. A major part of my career was teaching about patient concerns and needs, their rights, and ethical matters of healthcare. I taught through writing, as well as speaking from coast to coast. For several years, I authored a byline, Patient Perspective, for a healthcare journal. Other publications include Tennessee Hospital Association newsletter, Marketing Perspective, nursing and pharmacy newsletters. I received a writing award from the American Hospital Association in 1990. There are three things in my life that I count the most rewarding: my work with the mentally challenged from 1978-1983, my healthcare days establishing and directing patient advocacy for a large healthcare system, and my present work as a reading tutor. Most of my writings at present are devotional in nature. Devotional publications include Upper Room, Presbyterian Daily, and on my church website, www.famemphis.net. I am retired and live in a suburb of Memphis with my cat Chloe. My daughter and son-in-law, Kristi and Mark Hearn, live in Georgia and are the delights of my heart. Additionally, I am blessed with a spiritual family, Son (Tim) and Hien-Anh (Hannah) Le, their children, Rachel, Rebecca, and Esther, and Hannah’s mother, Phuong Hong. I am active in my church, First Assembly Memphis, and tutor second graders at First Assembly Christian School (FACS).

  • Clothed In Salvation and Righteousness

    Imagine it. Standing before God, clothed not in all that would condemn us, but in salvation and righteousness. Not in the filthy rags of our sins, but in salvation and righteousness. Not in the paper garment of pride and self-interest, but in salvation and righteousness. Not in the clung to-coverings of resentment, frustration, and anger, but in salvation and righteousness. Not in the way the world sees us, but in His salvation and righteousness!

    Isaiah 61:10 says “I delight greatly in the LORD, my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

    That leaves me in complete awe. It leaves me without words adequate to express my gratitude. It causes me to fall on knees of thankfulness and weep before the King of Kings, to praise the One who does that for me – the lowliest of the low.

    Jesus, He who is clothed in a royal robe of love and sacrifice, compassion and forgiveness, kindness and humility, gentleness and patience – it is He who holds out His arms to me. It is He who gave me the garment of salvation and arrayed me with righteousness when I said yes to Him. This One who alone is Holy has exchanged my unclean earthly garment, foul and unsightly beyond description, and adorned me as His bride, worthy to come to Him and live with Him eternally.

    Philippians 3:20-21 says “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.” It is the miracle of God’s love.

    There is only One who can set us right, who can take all our sin and error and transform it into salvation and righteousness. And He did it for me – and for you — the moment we believed in Him as Savior and Lord. (John 3:16)

    Romans 8:1 says “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”

    Oh, what a Savior of mercy and grace!  Oh, what joy awaits us!   Praise Him, for He alone is worthy and mighty and greatly to be praised!

  • Comfort Prayer

    The book of Psalms provides much comfort.  As David and other psalmists share with us their own emotions, we learn how to deal with our own.  Psalm 91 is a psalm many of us like to pray for ourselves or others when comfort is needed.  We do that by personalization.  To make it your own declaration, or your prayer for a family member or friend, fill in the blanks accordingly.   If it is your loved one who needs comfort, bless them further by reading it to them.

    Psalm 91 (NIV translation, but with capitalization of pronouns indicating God’s name)

    1 He (or she) who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  2 _______ will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  3 Surely He will save _______ from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.  4 He will cover _______ with His feathers, and under His wings _______ will find refuge; His faithfulness will be _______‘s shield and rampart.  5 _______ will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.  7 A thousand may fall at _______’s side, ten thousand at (her/his) right hand, but it will not come near _______.  8 _______ will only observe with (her/his) eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.  9 If you make the Most High your dwelling– even the LORD, who is my  refuge—  10 then no harm will befall _______, no disaster will come near (her/his)tent.  11 For He will command His angels concerning _______ to guard _______ in all (her/his) ways; 12 they will lift _______ up in their hands, so that _______ will not strike (her/his) foot against a stone.  13 _______ will tread upon the lion and the cobra; _______ will trample the great lion and the serpent.  14 “Because _______ loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue _______; I will protect _______, for _______ acknowledges My name.  15 _______ will call upon Me, and I will answer _______; I will be with _______ in trouble, I will deliver _______ and honor _______.  16 With long life will I satisfy _______ and show _______ my salvation.”

    Father, may this bless the lives of the wounded and weary.   May it bring needed peace and new hope.  May Your children feel Your very presence surround them as they pray these words.   

  • God’s Interventions

    When a Christian mother told of her son’s suicide, someone asked what that did to her faith.  Did she question God’s love for her or for her son?  Did she turn away from God?  The mother said it did not turn her away from God, nor question His love.  What it did cause her to question was her understanding of what she had thought God spoke to her.  She had believed the Lord had told her He would intervene for her son.  The fact that her son took his life instead left her thinking she had badly misunderstood God – and that undermined her faith in hearing God.  How was she to know when she was hearing from God?  How could she be sure if she understood what He was saying?  Then she had an insight that made all the difference:  God had intervened for her child when He saved him on the cross.  During those troubled times, her son came to salvation; that was the intervention God had made for him.  The child was not saved from his life of battles, but he was saved for all eternity.  The intervention God made in her son’s life was not of this world, but one of God’s kingdom.  And that brought her peace.   

    As she explained her sudden leap of understanding, I had one, too.  When we don’t see His intervention in what we pray for, it does not mean God has failed us.  It does not mean He has turned a deaf ear on our prayers.   Though we long for His interventions in the troubles and complexity of this world, this is but our temporary abode.   When we can think of eternity as we pray, our prayers become those that will make the true and forever difference – for us, for our children, for all those we love.   Our prayers become stronger and His answers more clear.  We will make more time to pray about what matters for all eternity, those things that are everlasting, that which prepares us and others for a lifetime with God. 

    We think more about the present; God thinks more about our future.  I believe it will be a beautiful thing when we are heaven-side and see all the ways He intervened for our eternal good that we did not recognize – could not recognize.  I believe when we see the glory of His presence, we will also immediately see the truth of His love; that He never left us wanting without taking care of a greater need. 

    He is our Abba Father and He is Love.  He is Faithful and Wise, Good beyond any means of measure.  He cares for our souls and all that shapes us for the time beyond – that time which is without end.   

    Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.   

    Revelation 21:1

  • The Sea Tells Us Of God

    The seas have lifted up, O Lord,

    the seas have lifted up their voice,

    the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

    Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,

    mightier than the breakers of the sea –

    the Lord on high is mighty.

    Psalm 93:3-4 (NIV)

    Perhaps this scripture tells why I love the sea so much.  It is the very reflection of the Lord God Almighty.  The seas do indeed speak and the sound is irresistible; we must listen.

    It croons and calls out, it exclaims, and softly murmurs.  It is like a love song from the Lord.  When the waters glide slowly onto the beach in soft quietness of a peaceful morning or ending day, we are calmed by the beauty and discipline of so great a mass.  We find rest for our weary souls.

    When the waves thrash the shore, we both see and hear the majesty of the sea, and are reminded of the strength and power of Almighty God.  As roiling, pounding waters rush back into their depth, going we do not know where, we are told again of the Lord’s supremacy and mystery.   The clap and thunder of the waters cause us to stand still and respect what it can do.  Only the Lord controls the seas.

    We marvel and exclaim this work of Your remarkable hands.  That you could create and then draw a line the seas must respect.  Only if You decide, may the deep waters crawl or dash further than you determined.

    You have designed the seas with many facets that describe You.  Their sounds still us and draw us, caress with a music that soothes.  Yet they can crash and quickly remind us they are also to be feared.  The great waters move with obscurity.  We both see and do not see; much remains secret.  There is gentleness, grandeur, and might.  It is all a reminder of You, Almighty God, and we sing with the seas, praises to Your Magnificent name.

    The sea is His, for He made it.  Psalm 95:5

  • Prayer Journaling

    I recently found some prayer notes tucked away in a Bible commentary I used in my 20s and 30s.  It was an excellent reminder of things I had prayed for during the early years of my marriage and as my child went through her teen years.  There were also notes about children I had taught in Sunday School, a young boy who sat with me during church service (his parents didn’t attend), and names and prayers for others I only vaguely remembered.

    There were many pages of these notes.  Some were detailed and others not, but through the re-reading of them, I recalled many blessings of God I had long ago forgotten.  It caused me to wish I had been more deliberate in keeping these prayer memories.  I have always been one to store prayer notes here and there rather than in an orderly fashion.   And while a nice surprise to come across them, how nicer still it would be had I kept books of prayers throughout the years, collecting more of my conversations with God.

    I would encourage a young parent today to teach their children the benefit of keeping prayer journals or some means of prayer file throughout their life.  Guide them to record their prayers of petition and how they saw those prayers answered.  Date the petitions and answers.  As they grow, they might add how they matured spiritually by giving a concern over to God, or what they learned through the experience of long seasons of prayer.  It will serve them joyfully through the years and be a record of faith for themselves and their children.

    Father, thank You for leading me to these prayer notes; they are records of Your faithfulness.  This was an unexpected blessing and I thank You for it.  May I be more mindful of writing down my petitions and Your answers, and the things You taught me.   It is an affirmation of our relationship.

    “Go now, write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness.”  Isaiah 30:8 (NIV)  

  • Content In Whatever State

    The apostle Paul said he had learned to be content in whatever state he was in.   He said to be anxious for nothing, but give thanks in everything and when we have that attitude, we will know the peace of God.  I knew a wonderful example of that.  Her name was Martha.

    I worked for a physician and Martha was a patient there.  A very gracious lady and one known for her baking, she would often bring to us her specialty, a five-flavor pound cake.  It could brighten any busy day.

    Martha had grown up in an affluent home, but her married life was one of ups and downs.  Her husband was given to taking great investment risks, some said all with the money she had inherited.   A time came when he risked too much and they lost everything they had.  This kind lady lost her family home – the one she had lived in all her life – and everything in it.

    Not long after their plight became public knowledge, she called to say she needed to come in for an examination.  She said they wanted to cash in a life insurance policy and it required a physician’s statement that she was no longer able to bear children.  They had grown children and the policy secured the money for their inheritance, but also for any future heirs.  Their children had released the binder on the inheritance and now she needed proof that there would be no danger of a future heir’s protest.    Martha was approaching 70.   We saw it as insult upon insult.

    We were nervous about her visit.  It was a small town and there were no secrets so she would come knowing we knew of their severe loss.  How did we greet her?  Pretend nothing was wrong?  Hope we could just fake it through to help her preserve dignity?  And the terrible offense of having to submit her body for a pointless examination had us all riled.

    The day came for her visit and I can still remember how tense we all were.  We loved Martha and were concerned about this ultimate embarrassment.  But as soon as she was in the door, we knew we had far under-estimated her.  She came in laughing at such a ridiculous request by the insurance company; she just thought it was all very funny.  And with her came one of her famous cakes.  She apologized that it was a little lopsided but she had borrowed the mixer and oven of a friend and was unfamiliar with both.  She made the remark as if it was quite normal to produce a cake in this manner.  And, Martha’s husband was with her.  There was no tension between them; rather, she seemed perfectly delighted with his company.

    Some in the town mumbled that Martha had lost her mind since no one mentally intact could behave as she did in view of all she had lost.  But I never saw that.  I saw a godly woman who was living out the scriptures, a woman who loved and trusted God.  She was refusing to live as the world would choose for her.  Martha had obviously forgiven her husband and accepted the tremendous blow to her life.  She walked on in faith and in practice, with the peace that comes from believing God’s word.  She is one of my spiritual giants.

  • Give His Love

    I saw a bird low on a limb looking down at you.

    He chirped and turned from side to side to get a better view.

    He had visited with the Father in the early morn

    and God had mentioned you to him and that you were forlorn.

    The little bird then flew down and rested in a tree

    right outside your window, as still as he could be.

    He saw your tears and heard your cry and knew you needed care.

    He didn’t know just what to do or what he had to share.

    Then he thought about the love the Father gave to all,

    and found a song deep in his heart on just your ears to fall.

    He sang about the Savior who brought the Father’s love,

    how He walked and talked with men on earth and told of home above.

    The little bird sang full and loud and pulled himself up tall.

    His melody was one of joy about the Savior’s call.

    He sang a song so pure and sweet; it traveled to your ear,

    and very soon you saw him and wiped away your tear.

    For God had sent His love to you in such a perfect way.

    It made you smile, it filled your heart, it brightened up your day.

    That one so little, like a bird, could bring a gift of cheer,

    could bring you love from God above and bring the Father near.

    We each have gifts with which to serve and giving makes us grow.

    As we receive, we then must give, a debt of love we owe.

    So thank that little bird, who sang a song to you,

    by helping someone else today, that’s all you need to do.

    Just give your love to someone, no matter – big or small.

    Tell another what you know, that Jesus loves us all.

     “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.”  Romans 13:8 (NIV)

                                                      

  • The Harm Of Negativity

    My Father, protect me from negativity.  If I begin to think unkind thoughts about another, please draw me away from those thoughts.  Remind me of how negative thinking takes one into a downward spiral and away from You.

    One of the hardest things for me is to stop thinking about is an offense, to not mull over how I was hurt.  Lingering on hurtful thoughts is unproductive and takes away precious moments that will never come again.   I pray to grow stronger in letting go of hurts and remembering this is just part of life here on earth.  Help me to not give up on others or myself.  I pray to use the lessons hurt brings and then step outside the pain and go on with You.

    If I am with someone and they speak inappropriately, give me the grace to be silent and not a contributor to such conversation.   If there is a word I can say that will help the matter, please put that on my lips; otherwise, please button them.  I have enough regrets for words I wish I could call back; please keep me from adding to them.   Remind me to distance myself as quickly as possible, as negativity can sometimes gain a foothold simply by lingering too long in the wrong environment.

    The answer to negativity is to lose ourselves in You, to focus on the good and beautiful.  On that, dear Father, help me to think long and often.

    “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”  Philippians 4:8  

  • God’s Incredible Design

    The skies are grey with snow.  Big and small flakes fall from the sky.  There are drifts and whirls and a white frosting on the trees and ground.   It is beautiful.  I stand at the window and watch as this creation falls quietly to the earth, bringing calm to the day and whispers of sweet peace.  The cold winds push the snowflakes here and there; at moments they seem to stand still, waiting to be told where to go.  It is a glorious sight, Lord.  Glorious.

    In the white frosted tulip magnolia, I see five little bird nests – evidence of another season, another glory.  It is a reminder of warmer weather and the small winged creatures who built nest there through the years.  You made those little birds, covered them with feathers, told them how to fly, and gave them the knowledge of home-building.  For their shelter, You made trees with high reaching branches, shaped just right to hold their nest homes, and protect their young.  Your design there alone is incredible, Lord.

    There is such purpose of dependency and support as You link one creation to another.  How seldom we slow down enough to recognize all that went into Your perfect design, the kindness and goodness.  It is shown in the strength of a tree and the fragility of a bird.  It is shown in the softness of snow against hard ground.  Your are a God of love and majesty, of power and wisdom, of beauty and graciousness.

    Father God, please forgive us for the abuse and destruction we have placed on Your perfect order.  We have wrongly thought the world was ours to do with as we pleased.  Forgive us, Lord, and give us new commitment to appreciating and caring for all Your creation.  Thank You for the promise of that day when all will be restored, when we will live in concert and joy with nature.   When we will live with You in Your new kingdom on earth.  It is our hope for tomorrow, and we give You praise.

  • God’s Faithfulness

    Father, the psalmists wrote so beautifully about You.  Thank You for sharing with us their words.  David was our chief psalmist and he was masterful in his writings, but there were others who wrote the songs of long ago that also told of You with great skill.

    Psalm 89 is one of the many psalms where words become like a brush on a painter’s canvas.  This psalm is by Ethan as he recounts Your covenant with David, and the sorrow of lost blessings.

    Verse 8 says “You are mighty, O Lord, and Your faithfulness surrounds You.” I rest my reading for a moment and look out into the distance to consider how faithfulness surrounding you might look.  I see a cloud-like atmosphere of gentleness, a place of safe abode.  It is filled with omnipotent love.  You are there watching over us, beckoning the weary, soothing the heavy burdened, smiling on the ones who overcome trial by their trust in You.  Your faithfulness flows out on all those who call You Lord.

    Verse 15 says “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, O Lord.”  It is another place to pause and envision.  Your redeemed ones are standing in the light of Your being, which is greater than a thousand suns.  These, Your children, are praising and worshiping the Lamb of Glory.  They are rejoicing in Your faithfulness, calling out the many ways You have proven Your love over and over again.

    The psalmist tells of Your faithful love for David, and how You will be with him always.  Yet in verse 38, there is a sudden turn.  Ethan puts aside his recounting of Your blessings and declares that You failed David, the one You promised to uphold forever.   His words turn from those of praise, to weeping and questioning.  It is another place for reflection.  A place to be still and ponder.

    You had a relationship with David like no other, this man You took from shepherd to king.  You told us David was a man after Your own heart.  Yet, there were times when he felt separated from You.  Sometimes he understood why this was and other times he didn’t.  And so it is with us.

    Sometimes we feel You have abandoned us.  We feel anxious and troubled over unanswered prayers.  We worry that our valley experiences will never again lead to the mountaintops, that we will be pressed beyond our ability to bear what life hands us.  Most of the time, it is our sin that interrupts relationship.  But other times we feel abandoned and we don’t know why.  One catastrophe after another comes; we are hit hard.  And we cry out like the psalmist, “How long, O Lord?  Will You hide Yourself forever?” (v. 46)

    This journey on earth is tough.  It is complicated, frustrating, and exhausting.  Being a Christian doesn’t take that away, usually it makes it worse.  For living as a follower of Christ in a fallen world gives ongoing struggle with evil.  Life on this earth will never be without suffering.  But it is not in disappointment and despair that we are to live.  Rather, we are to live in the knowledge of One high and lifted up.  It is there we must cling.  Even when it “feels” like You aren’t with us, You are.   You never forsake Your children.  That’s the full story of the Holy Bible, and we can rest in its truth.

    With all the psalmist’s grief and groaning, he ends by exalting You.  He returns to the way his psalm begins.  He gives you praise and honor!  This man of old tells us that no matter how deep the pain, You are still with us and we can trust in that.

    Now I reflect again on this writing of the 89th psalm.  It tells me that I am always to see my Lord with faithfulness encircling Him.  There is no break in Your faithfulness — it remains.  And it is through praise that we are able to enter in.  For Your word says that You inhabit our praise; we can always find You there.  And when this world’s darkness seeks to overwhelm us, we can remember we have a choice:  to tarry in the darkness of this world, or step confidently into the Light that is Your presence.   For faith isn’t a feeling; it is a decision.

    Thank You, blessed God, for the words and assurance of this psalmist.  He is a witness of Your faithfulness.  His words have been preserved for us so that we may know what relationship with You looks like.  We thank You, Abba Father, for the encouragement of this psalm.

    NIV translation used.