March 6, 2023

Flare Prayers
CRYSTAL PAINE

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“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (CSB)

Last night was a rough one. Our sweet little David — who has Down syndrome and other medical complexities — was up until 12:30 a.m. with really uncomfortable reflux. His crying woke up our other toddler, Kierstyn, who struggled to go back to sleep. And then our baby, Micah, was also up a few times to nurse.

My husband, Jesse, needed to be out the door at 5:50 a.m. to take Kaitlynn, one of our teens, to her ice skating lessons before school. Next thing I knew, both toddlers and our baby woke up — and two of them were not in the most cheerful mood.

Kierstyn wanted breakfast.
Baby Micah wanted to nurse.
David needed his morning thyroid medicine and his morning feeding through his G-tube.
Our other two teens were now up and getting ready for school, and I wanted to check in and be available for them.

I had two choices: I could feel frustrated, or I could start my day by acknowledging that I couldn’t do this in my own strength, asking the Lord for the supernatural strength I needed to get through the day.

I could focus on all my problems, or I could focus on God’s promises.

With a weary heart and body, I prayed: God, please multiply the sleep I was able to get last night. I’m going to trust that You are going before me today. I’m trusting You to show up in powerful ways on my behalf because Your Word says when I am weak, then I am strong in You. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Instead of feeling exhausted, I actually went through the day excited that I was going to see God show up and be faithful. And guess what? It was a great day!

It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed, discouraged or stressed as we go about our days. I challenge you to start seeing those feelings as little red flags to remind you to stop and send up what I call a quick “Flare Prayer” … a short, in-the-moment, SOS prayer crying out to God for help, wisdom, direction, energy, strength or whatever you need in that moment.

You can pray with boldness, as Philippians 4:6-7 says: “in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

When you get that message that discourages you, stop and pray.
When your husband is having a rough day, stop and pray.
When your co-worker is frustrating you, stop and pray.
When you need to have a hard conversation, stop and pray.
When your toddler is getting on your very last nerve, stop and pray.
When your sleep is interrupted yet again, stop and pray.
When your friend is struggling and you don’t know how to help, stop and pray.
When your teen is going through a difficult time, stop and pray.

Ask God to multiply your sleep on the nights when you are up every hour with a sick child. Ask God to multiply your time when you have five unexpected interruptions back to back and you already have a very full plate. Ask God to multiply your energy when you feel tired and worn down. Ask God to multiply your inspiration when you are feeling drained.

He knows. He cares. He is enough. And He is longing for you to stop striving and start resting. You don’t have to do things in your own strength. You don’t have to carry your burdens on your own.

Lord, thank You that You are the creator of time. Thank You that I can trust You, that You will give me exactly what I need so I can do what You have called me to do. Help me to lean on You — especially when life feels overwhelming — and to expectantly look for how You are going to show up in faithfulness on my behalf! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Feeling stressed about life and tired just looking at your to-do list? Wish you had more time to slow down, get better sleep, spend time in God’s Word, and not feel rushed constantly? Check out Crystal Paine’s brand-new book, The Time-Saving Mom: How to Juggle a Lot, Enjoy Your Life, and Accomplish What Matters Most. In it, she shares her best tried-and-true strategies for setting up your day for success and getting more done but doing it from a space of rest and joy.

Lysa TerKeurst has discovered the secret to staying connected to the Lord in prayer, no matter what she’s going through, by simply incorporating it into daily life as much as other everyday rhythms like working, eating and sleeping. By keeping this intentional discipline, she found prayer connected her overwhelming anxiety to God’s overcoming power. And she wants you to experience the same for yourself. That’s why she created a new, free resource: “7 Morning and Evening Prayers To Get You Through This Week.” Sign up to receive this resource here.

ENGAGE

If you’re a frazzled or tired mom who wishes you could just figure out how to add another hour to your week, be sure to sign up for Crystal’s freebie, “24 Ways to Add an Extra Hour to Your Week.”

And to connect with Crystal, follow her on Instagram.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Psalm 55:22, “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” (CSB)

What are you feeling overwhelmed about today? What burdens and weights are you carrying? Do you believe God can carry them for you?

Let's stop and pray for His help instead of trying to white-knuckle our way through the day on our own. Share your prayers and thoughts with us in the comments!

© 2023 by Crystal Paine. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org