Lesson From The Praying Mantis

Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees. ~ Corrie Ten Boom

“Oh no!” I gasped after learning that I accidentally hit this almost invisible creature with the stream of water coming from the hose as I was watering the potted plants in the backyard.

A praying mantis…

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Its color similar to the brownish hue of its environment. But as it was washed away with a small spray of water from the hose that probably was like a deluge for him, he slowly returned to a greenish hue.

My husband specifically reminded me one morning as we were both marveling at this creature for me not to kill it. Knowing that little critters bothered me sometimes. For it ate insects like mosquitoes, moths, aphids and other bugs usually harmful to the garden.

But what struck me the most was its position as I observed it. It was always in a “praying-like” position.

Yesterday, as I went outside, I found it nestled and hiding behind one of the posts of our patio cover. It looked like it was still praying but appeared stronger than after I hit it with the water. 

“Thank God!” I uttered softly.

I found myself praying silently. I found myself wanting to be like the PRAYING MANTIS.

Though existing in a harsh and ever changing environment, it never ceases to pray. It is always ready so as not to be PREYED but instead, always has that stance to PRAY. It is always ready and alert so as not to be eaten by other creatures. 

How true as believers of Christ! That if we make our minds always conscious what God says for us to do: 

“To always be joyful. Always PRAYING. And to always be thankful,” we will see everything in a different light. Whatever circumstances are going on around us, those will not affect us being joyful, prayerful and thankful  as long as we are determined to do His will.

May we all have a prayerful attitude at all times!

Pray without ceasing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

"Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice."
- See more at: http://www.prayers-for-special-help.com/bible-verses-on-prayer.html#sthash.gpNzBCS5.dpuf

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. - Isaiah 55:6

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. - Ephesians 6:18

But I, O Lord, cry to You; in the morning my prayer comes before You. - Psalm 88:13

"Oh let us shout to the Lord....!!!"

"Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice."
- See more at: http://www.prayers-for-special-help.com/bible-verses-on-prayer.html#sthash.gpNzBCS5.dpuf

Nurses' Lives Are On His Hands

I watched intently, listening for soft words. But all it took with whatever strength she had while being recorded was “I love you guys” to her colleagues, teasingly inviting them to visit her in Maryland where she was about to be transferred.

I could feel for her. 

Nina Pham…

The first nurse who worked in Dallas, Texas who contracted the Ebola virus from the first patient they had who recently died from it. 

I wasn’t sure if it was a nurse donned in the spacesuit-like gear who took a piece of tissue and handed it to her as her tears flowed. The guy filming thanked her and uttered, “No crying allowed.”

We don’t know much about Ebola. Its etiology. No known cure as of this time. Deadly. Easily transmitted by contact. Many people have already perished in Africa. Still counting.

I’ve been praying for her. Knowing we share a common goal. Of caring for others with all our hearts. In fact, I was sure we recited the same oaths during our pinning ceremonies. Most nurses do… Pledging:

“I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.” –Florence Nightingale Pledge, (modified in 1893 by Mrs. Lystra E. Gretter)

The table has turned. Now, she is the patient. Deep in my heart, she deserves to be treated well. For the sacrifice she did to care not only for Thomas Eric Duncan, the patient who died from Ebola, but for the other patients’ lives that were placed on her caring hands.

Nina Pham…You’re always in my prayers that God will heal you with this sickening disease. The lives that are placed on our hands daily surely are not easy to deal with as we think of best interventions to help them get well and be in their optimal state of health. We may differ in places where we work but our goals remain the same. To serve with compassion,love, and understanding even in the most difficult situations, as our hands work with dedication and try to apply the skills we learned adeptly.

The government might not know what it’s doing to combat this disease. But one thing is for sure, we also share the same faith that our lives are not on anyone else’s hands but on the Pierced Hands Whose hold never lets go.  May God bless you and Amber Vinson, the second nurse who was diagnosed to have the Ebola symptoms. May God heal both of you and protect all the nurses who are there, risking their lives, mostly the first ones to be exposed to harmful diseases before they are diagnosed. 

We are all in this battle…But we are never afraid…Knowing that our lives are on His Hands…

I Don't Have Words But God Hears

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. – Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. – Colossians 4:2

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I don’t have words to say sometimes… In my prayers…Just like this morning as my husband took my warm hands. Warmed up after holding a cup of brewed coffee. He led. As usual. Often times, I uttered softly and joined his petitions and thanks. But not this morning. I was quiet and my spirit just listened. My husband was already done. But I still held his hands. Tight..Not letting go. Though I was quiet. And didn’t have any word to say or pray. But my heart was hungry to bring up a lot of things. Going on all around me. All around us. In this evil and trying times. How true! That “the Spirit helps us in our weakness that He intercedes for us through wordless groans though we don’t know what to pray for…” (Romans 8:26)

My husband understood and didn’t complain why I kept his hands locked in mine. He knew we were both in a battle at that moment. Wrestling but at the same time, knowing well that our victory always come from depending on God.

I heard his mumble…Under his breath…Soft spoken words he always uttered everyday…

“Lord, help us stand up for what is right…”

Words that are easy to say but hard to put in actions. Especially in all of the affairs happening in this world. All the lies masked in truths. What are we to believe? No! We can’t be deceived. We shouldn’t be deceived…for His Word is the Truth! And that’s what He gave to those who believe in Him. The sWORD…We have It in our hands to use as our weapon. 

Fiery darts may be thrown at us. But we will stand. Because of His plate of righteousness. Held tightly in our spirits with His belt of truth. God indeed had provided His weapons we can use to remain standing and be victors…

I opened the door as my husband and I hugged and said our goodbyes for this day. Another day…I could feel the draft from behind me as I just opened the patio door to air out the house. Then I found myself continuing to mumble in prayers… For the battle started since I fell on my knees and died on that spot that day in repentance…Against my own choices and desires and against the attacks of the enemies of my soul…

“Lord, just help us…to choose which door to open and close. The doors in our hearts…Lead us into Your truth…”

“Only Your Spirit calms my fears and strengthens me to help me endure. Only Your Spirit searches my heart’s core and sees what’s in my mind. Help me to be renewed daily and do what You willed for me.”

I may not have words to pray... I may not know what to pray for...But one thing is for sure... God hears and is always listening. Wherever I am...Whatever I am going through...