One Word Wrap-Up

I’m so sad this year’s word is coming to an end.  I have loved this word and all that the Lord taught me.  The Lord led me to the word Others for 2018 ...you can read about my initial thoughts HERE. And now as I wrap up this year, I am reflecting over all the things He brought me to that fell under the word Others.

My initial hope was that I would move past my daily prayers for myself and focus on praying for other people around me.  After 365 days of prayer for 365 people, I would say that is exactly what happened.  I feel the Lord lifted my eyes from my own little sphere and showed me just how many people are out there that need pray ...like serious, God- moving prayer.  I would still pray quickly for things in my own life, but my focus was on the person of the day.  I listened to the Lord during my quiet time, to the music on the radio, was cognizant of what I was reading...nothing was happenstance.  If I felt the nudge of Holy Spirit in anything I was doing throughout the day I asked for confirmation and then I would do what He asked.  Sometimes it was call, text or write that person what I had heard, sometimes it was to go find that person and pray over them, sometimes it was do nothing. But one thing I know without a doubt is I am certain of His voice, His nudge, His divine appointments and even His silence.  When I don’t hear, I don’t move, and that is still obedience.  I’m sure, in my own power, I could have done this year’s word; prayed some prayers, checked off my list, said some encouraging things, but I didn’t want this to be in my own power.  Francis Chan said, “The world is not moved by love or actions that are of human creation.” I wanted and needed the Lord’s power to touch all those around me, so that only He gets the glory.

As the year went on I found that I was put in many situations where I was able to tangibly help others.  As I prayed for the person on my list I was also able to buy someone’s lunch or lend a listening ear or host a group from Uganda.  That was one of my favorite experiences from this year! The days seemed to turn into adventures to see what crazy thing would happen where I could help someone. And then, when the opportunity arose, it was exciting, somewhat expected,  but never a burden. Sometimes we get so drawn into our own circle and our own to do list that we miss the fun and love the Lord has for us and those around us.

Lastly, I saw God show up in several ways that blew me away.  In one instance I was informed of a crises of a person I had already prayed for and was able to look back and see what the Lord directed me to pray and how they were covered long before they knew they needed it. In another instance, when the storm came for one couple, I was praying for the wife that very day and prayed for the husband the day before. Coincidence? Absolutely not!! He knows and sees and hears and sometimes we just need to be reminded of that.

What a fun year! I pray I can take what I have learned and continue to implement it as I start a new year with a new word.