by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
As you know, I rarely
use this blog for any kind of direct promotion. I want to make sure that almost
all the things I post fall under the heading of information.
WhileMy Child is Away, learning the hard lesson of #prayer - @EdieMelson (Click toTweet)
Today I’m deviating from the norm. I’m not posting
specifically about writing, but about what led me to write my latest book,
While My Child is Away, Prayers for When We’re Apart.
I've discovered that God uses the things I struggle with to bring comfort to others. It's not always an easy thing—sharing challenges—but I've learned by being transparent I disappear and God's power comes shining through.
Prayer Doesn’t Always
Come Easy
In spite of the fact that I now write books of prayers,
praying didn’t always come easy to me. Early on my lack of prayer power didn’t
bother me. It wasn’t until I began having children that the urgency hit. Then
my prayer life became vitally important. I wanted to be the type of mom who
prayed powerful prayers that protected her children no matter what happened.
I worried that my prayers weren’t good enough. Maybe I
hadn’t spent enough time on thanksgiving or confession. Or perhaps I was saying
things in the wrong order. Truthfully I was looking for a formula that would
infuse my prayers with power enough to get God’s undivided attention on my
child’s behalf.
Turns out that what I believed about my role in prayer was
all backwards.
I was looking for power in my words, instead of focusing
on the power of God. And I was forgetting that each of us has God’s undivided
attention—always. He loves each of us, and more importantly to me, He loves
each of my children even more than I do.
Even when I discovered the mistake in my thinking about
prayer, I still wasn’t quite sure how to frame my prayers. Then I revisited one
of my favorite passages in the Bible. So will My word be which goes forth from
My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter
for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11. That
was what I needed to redirect my prayer life and get me on the right track.
That journey became While My Child is Away.
As you know, I rarely
use this blog for any kind of direct promotion. I want to make sure that almost
all the things I post fall under the heading of information.
But today I'm breaking
my rule and asking for your help. This Saturday, August 6, I'm having a big
book signing at our local Barnes and Noble on Woodruff Road in the Shops at
Greenridge. I'll be signing copies of While My Child is Away.
I need your help
with sharing this information on social media.
If you're near the
Greenville, South Carolina area, I'd love for you to join me! Even if you're
not, don't despair, I'm including you in the fun. To all those who comment on
this post, telling me they shared this on social media, I'll add you to a
drawing. I will cut off the comments on Friday, August 5 at midnight.
To sweeten the pot, I'm
giving away a 2 $15 Barnes and Noble e-giftcards and 2 $15 Amazon e-giftcards.
So there will be 4 winners in all.
Be sure to share this
info through your social media and leave a comment saying you did. You don't
have to leave a link or anything, we work on the honor system here!
Thanks & Blessings,
Edie
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