A Spin on Prayer

A Ugandan butterfly.

"I stopped asking God for things, and started thanking Him for them."

These words have echoed in my heart and head for a long time, after initially hearing them from a wise Ugandan friend. Such a perspective on prayer intrigues me.

What if I stopped asking from God and began thanking Him for how He has already answered?

I think you would agree with me the needs around us are endless - world crises, national issues, requests of family and friends, and our own personal petitions. And yet God is fully and intimately aware of each one and is already working upon them - even when we don't see the "answers."

So, what if I began thanking Him for His provision and protection, rather than repeatedly asking for it?

What if I thanked Him for already being there for the people from whom I am far?

What if I spoke words of gratitude that His will will be done in each situation and on behalf of each need?

What if instead of asking for my daily bread, I thanked Him for what He has already provided?

It's not like God changes or we have to remind Him to continue be the Awesome and Sovereign Father He has been and always will be - forever.

Too often my prayers come from a weak faith in a great God - not that He has at all changed or shifted in His immutable character and ways.

It's amazing how when you pray in gratitude for who God is and what He has already done, it turns prayer into worship and praise and less into a delivery of a laundry list of needs - as if we serve a "vending machine" Supreme Being.

In a sense, when we thank and praise Him, we are saying, "Yes, God, Your ways are best and I want Your will to be done above my own." Oftentimes I am not even sure how to adequately pray for myself or others, and yet when I thank Him, I am saying, "God, you've got this and I am going to rest in that confidence."

And rather than reminding God of all that is burdening my heart, I again recall He is already awesome, loving, trustworthy, gracious, faithful, merciful and so much more.

He doesn't need the reminding of who He is - I do.

So, I encourage you - the next time you pray - thank God for how He already has and is answering your petitions. You might just start a life-changing habit. :)


P.S. Please know I understand that intercession is an important aspect of prayer and Jesus did include it in His model prayer for the disciples. But I think we could spend a lot more time thanking our God and less asking from Him.

"Off Days"?

A sunset view from the top of Lingira Island.

"I have quit asking God for things, instead I thank Him that He knows the unknown." This is a paraphrase of some wise words spoken last night by a good friend of mine.

Those words resurfaced this morning as I prayed for protection for some of our ministry members traveling from the island to Jinja. Rather than seeking God's protection for them, I shifted my petitions to instead thanking Him that He is a God who always protects.

How we pray reveals what we know and believe about our God. Yes, the Bible does tell us to "ask, seek and knock," (Matthew 7:7-8), but do we come as doubting children or trusting, believing children?

As I prayed it occurred to me that God does not have any "off days." His protection or sovereignty are never even a percentage point less than another day when we last made a request.

He is 100% Sovereign

He is 100% Loving

He is 100% Gracious

He is 100% Just

He is 100% Powerful

He is 100% Truth

He is 100% God

If He is even only 99.99% in any of these and He is innumerable other attributes, then He ceases to be God. He cannot drop or change by even a minuscule percentage point.

If we know this and really believe this, then our prayers should consist more of praise and thanksgiving than anything else.

What an amazing assurance and reality to know that God never, ever has "off days."

One at a Time

When I become discouraged or weary, God gives me a glimpse of the work He is doing here. 

Let me share just a few recent stories…

His eyes are full of light as he tells of the deep changes he is experiencing. David has just finished the first month of the six months of a Discipleship Training School (DTS) he is doing at a local YWAM base here.

What David is gaining is more than a greater knowledge of God’s Word or a more intellectual understanding of Christian truths - he is experiencing a true transformation of his heart and mind as he yields to the Holy Spirit’s work in his life. 

Although raised in a Christian home under the loving care of God-fearing parents, David is beginning to understand that Christ desires truth in his inward parts. Cutting away old ties and affections is not easy, but David has caught sight of the freedom that Christ brings to lives yielded to Him.

Pray for David in the coming months, that God would continue the incredible work He has begun in this young man.

Without Abandoning Her Faith

“God has done great things in my life” says an exuberant Halima, with her eyes and smile beaming. A student at the island school, Halima has shared her struggles with me in the past – such as being the Christian daughter of a staunch Muslim father. 

Oftentimes after listening to her hardships, the primary being to pay school fees, I would admit I didn’t have the answers, but suggested we take her concerns to the Lord. So we bowed our heads in prayer, admitting our own weaknesses and inadequacies, but pleading for God’s wisdom and provision.

In this, her first term of her final year at the school, God performed a miracle. Halima’s father has refused to pay her tuition since sometime in her primary (elementary) years. He told her that would only change if she converted back to Islam. I and others encouraged her to remain strong in her faith in Christ, promising that God would make a way. With joy, Halima shared that her father paid this term’s fees – without her abandoning her Christian faith.

She attests to a fact that I can see is true – her faith has grown, and her desire to serve God her Provider has intensified.

Providence Amid Broken Promises

Kenyan born, Benjamin came to the islands of Uganda on the wings of hope. But instead he found challenges and broken promises. His uncle, a fisherman on a nearby island, struggles to care for his own four children, let alone his nephew, whom he invited to study in Uganda.

Last school year, Benjamin could not afford to board at the school, so he lived in the nearby village of Kyoya. Sometimes he was late for classes or skipped days entirely as he looked for money to pay his fees and buy food. Showing mercy, the school teachers began helping him to eat. This term, he again paid the day student fee, but was permitted to board.

Last year he came to me asking for help, such as in the form of sponsorship. After telling him I was unable to offer help at the time, I suggested we pray. This year when one of our sponsors offered to help more students, Benjamin’s name came to mind. And the choice was confirmed when the school administration spoke of the boy’s good behavior and work ethic.

Words of heartfelt gratitude poured from Benjamin’s lips as I sat with him last week to learn more about his background. As he told his story, I asked when he became a Christian. Born a Catholic, Benjamin’s interest in Christianity was piqued when he came to the Christ-based Lingira Living Hope Secondary School. In the second term last year, he confessed Christ and since then has seen Jesus changing his life.

“I used to be lazy,” he says, but now is eager to read his schoolbooks and seeks out work around the school to earn extra money. Indeed it was his strong work ethic that caused Benjamin to stand out from the other students who could have received the sponsorship.

His countenance exudes joy and gratitude. His eyes sparkle with joy, and his voice is rich with it. In his childlike faith, Benjamin trusted God, and saw God answer in a remarkable way.

Faith in God’s Promises

I am awed as I witness God working in the lives of David, Halima, Benjamin and others like them. Yes, God loves the whole world, but He is in the business of changing lives one at a time.

God began his work on the Buvuma Islands long before any missionary reached there. Those of us serving here are just joining a work the Holy Spirit has already begun.

God does not need my help or your efforts, but He invites us to be part of the greatest and most magnificent story of redemption and restoration.

Don’t doubt God is at work in your life, in the lives of your family or friends, or those for whom you feel a burden. Trust. Pray. Have faith. And believe God will continue and complete the work He has begun. He promised to do so.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6

Photo: Cross atop Lingira Island, Uganda

Please Verify Your Identity

Sunrise on the Nile River

I just spent 10-15 minutes trying to log on to my credit card's website.

I entered an old password because I didn't recall that I had changed it awhile back - because I couldn't remember it then. Today I knew something was amiss when I was being asked security questions such as:

"What was the name of your first boyfriend or girlfriend?" Since I have never had a boyfriend, I wasn't sure how to answer the question.

Then there was: "Name your favorite sports team." The LA Dodgers, the Portland Trailblazers? My mind searched for what response I might have given when I chose the question so long ago. Or did I even choose that security question?

I liked this one: "What was the name of your first pet?" Ah, yes, an easy one - Fuzzy - our first-ever orange tabby cat. :)

After logging in and out of the site several times, I finally accomplished what I had set out to do - make a payment. Phew. A lot of frustration for a little work. 

It seems that passwords, user IDs,  pin numbers, etc. are required at and in so many places - ATM's, Amazon, e-mail, Facebook, and a myriad of other Internet sites. Unfortunately, my memory is challenged, especially when it comes to remembering numbers. I have tried to come up with ways to compensate for that. ; )

All of this reminds me how grateful I am that I don't have to "log in" when I want to talk to my Heavenly Father or go through an automated routing service just to have some quiet time with Him.

Can you imagine such scenarios as: "Press 1 to talk to an angel to make an appointment with God," "Press 2 to being your quiet time," "Press 3 to log in to learn what the Holy Spirit is speaking to you"?

Although I am one among nearly 7 billion people on earth, God knows who I am and everything about me. I don't need to submit a password to verify my identity with Him.

We make things complicated; God keeps them simple.

I love the following promises:

"Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." - Isaiah 65:24

"Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” - Psalm 50:14-15

 What does God want? Not passwords, nor IDs.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord,' and will bring you back from captivity.'" - Jeremiah 29:11-14a (emphasis mine)

I am God's child and He wants me to seek Him with all of my heart.

Update on Amanda K.

Praise God! My missionary friend Amanda K. has made what I consider to be a miraculous recovery from cerebral malaria. Just about a week ago, she was in very serious condition. But, according to a report earlier this evening, she is well on her way to recovering.

Here is the most recent update from her family: "SHE'S BACK !!!!!! She is wide awake and quietly talking, she is smiling and making fun of her sister and brother and laughing. She is making comments about herself and cracking us all up. Her sense of humor didn't get affected and it is soooo good to hear it again! Her throat is of course a bit sore yet, but she is eating ice and saying she is hungry, wanting something to eat. We hope she is moved to a regular room soon and able to have a bit more freedom, I'm sure she will be raring to go tomorrow. She will also be asking for her phone and computer very soon and will be catching up to you all. Thank You ALL for your thoughts and prayers, we have seen some wonderful examples of God's control and healing power this past week."

Hundreds of people around the world have been praying for and caring about Amanda this week. And, God has definitely worked on her behalf. Thank you to those who prayed!

To God be all of the glory!

Update on "Pray for Peace"

It is with much gratefulness to God and to those around the world who prayed, that we had a peaceful weekend. Aside from some minor clashes, the elections for president and members of parliament went smoothly and with little violence.

After voting went on all day on Friday, and counting began that evening, the final results were announced Sunday afternoon. President Museveni was re-elected by a wide margin (taking 68% of the vote), to serve another five years as Uganda's top man.

Lower level elections will continue into March and we will continue to seek God for His peace and protection in Uganda.

Thank you to all who prayed!

Pray for Peace

On Friday, Feb. 18, Uganda will hold its presidential election, to elect a leader to serve a five-year term in this East African country. In the days and weeks following, lower level leaders will also be voted into office. This process will continue into March.

Having never been in a foreign country during a time of elections, I am not sure what to expect. It seems African countries are notorious for coups, civil wars, and unstable elections. Recent examples are Egypt and Libya in the ousting of their leaders. But, the violence after Kenya's 2008 elections surprised onlookers, and sadly resulted in approximately 1300 deaths as well as 650,000 Kenyans being displaced. It seems disorder and upheaval can be quickly sparked on this vast continent.

Smooth and peaceful elections have been a regular item of prayer for the Shepherd's Heart family for a number of months. We are taking necessary precautions, and continuing to trust the Lord in the days ahead.

In the town of Jinja, where I am staying until after the elections when I can return to the island, things are relatively quiet. Vehicles carrying supporters of various parties and candidates can be heard blasting music or their "propaganda" as they cruise the streets. I have heard the country's police and military forces are ready and on stand-by in case any uprising occurs. However, the campaigns leading up to this year's election have reportedly been more peaceful than in the past, so hopefully that is a good sign.

Current president, Yoweri Museveni has been in power in Uganda since January 1986, when he seized control and was then sworn in as president three days later. The first national elections under Museveni were held in 1996, with subsequent elections taking place in 2001 and 2006.

As a "mzungu" ("white person") I am not supposed to have an opinion on the elections and who takes power. However, there are definite changes that need to be made, like stamping out government corruption that hampers and hinders government and services at all levels. However, I am grateful for the religious freedom that has been upheld under Museveni's rule.

For whoever assumes the highest seat in Uganda, it is my prayer that this individual will be God-fearing and will make serving the people of Uganda his or her highest priority.

Will you join me in praying for continued peace in Uganda, in the days and weeks ahead?

"He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars." - Daniel 2:21