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| Photo by Ryk Neethling |
The Lord used time spent with Him in His Word and prayer to truly encourage me and steady my heart during our daughter's roller coaster ride beginning. While I love just speaking my heart before the Lord, I've also found praying specific Scripture passages to be a great blessing.
Think about it.
The Bible is God's Word. When you pray His Word, you can know that you are praying words that are honoring to Him- after all, He wrote them!
The Bible reveals God's character. As I read, study, and pray the Bible, I am growing in my understanding of who God is. Because He is good, this is encouraging!
The Bible is chock full of God's promises. He always keeps His Word. As I read, memorize, and pray over these promises, I experience assurance that He will deliver on them.
If you are interested in trying this exercise for yourself, here are a few Scripture passages that I found particularly helpful during our daughter's hospitalization:
Psalm 139:13-18. Praise God for the way He has intricately woven your baby together, first in your womb, and now outside of it. Thank Him for the opportunity to watch His hand at work. Thank Him for forming all of your child's days in His book, long before they took their first breath! Be comforted that He has a plan for them and is in control.
Psalm 71:6. Acknowledge that God brought your baby out of your womb. Thank Him that His timing is perfect, even in preterm delivery. Ask for grace to praise Him continually, even though life is painful right now.
Psalm 71:20. Even though this situation is all consuming and awful, thank God that is is only for a season. Ask Him to revive you again and bring you through!
Psalm 90:16. Ask Him to help you see Him at work. Plead that His glorious power would be displayed in your baby's miraculous life.
Psalm 119:50. Thank Him that He has provided comfort in your affliction. Thank Him for the promise of life to all who believe.
Romans 8:18-30. Praise God that the sufferings of this life don't even compare to the glory of eternity in heaven with Christ! Thank Him for the hope you have in Christ. Praise God that the Spirit intercedes and prays for us when we don't know how to pray. Thank Him that all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8: 31-39. Thank God that He didn't spare His own Son but gave Him up for us. Thank Him that He graciously gives us all things. Remind yourself that you are more than a conqueror through Him who loved you. Thank God that nothing can separate us from His love in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Philippians 4:4-8. Ask God for help to rejoice in Him always. Ask Him to protect your from anxiety and to guard your heart with His peace. One by one name the things that are making you anxious (an infection, pending surgery, oxygen and apnea issues, whatever!) and make your specific requests for His help. Thank Him for hearing. Ask Him to guard your mind and to help you think only what is true and beneficial.
James 1:2-8. Ask God to help you count this trial as joy. Thank Him that the testing of your faith produces patience and maturity as a Christian. Ask Him to give you wisdom as you seek to care for your baby and make important medical decisions. Thank Him for giving generously and without reproach. Ask Him for faith to believe and not doubt.
These are just a few to get you started. As you read portions of Scripture each day, pray through the passages you're reading. There is great comfort in knowing the God of the Bible. May He guard your heart, guide you through, and grant you peace!
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In addition to prayer support Preemie Prints gives the gift of no-charge NICU or NICU Graduate Photography (up to 1 year of age) please see our program location map to see if we have a volunteer in your area. With over 75 volunteers nationwide we might. We would love to give this gift to you and your family! Visit www.preemieprints.org to learn about all of our programs.
