Remembering this day, brings me to tears… It brings prayers and praise… let me explain…

Since the 7th grade, I have had such sorrow in my heart on this day for all of those involved in the tragedy that struck our nation.  I remember sitting in class and my teacher flipped on the TV to see the horrifying news.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their PRAYERS; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 1 Peter 3:12

When I arrived home that day, my parents explained further what had happened. I remember my Momma and I going to my church to pray for the victims, their families, our nation, and our soldiers.  I remember praying for my little brother who was just 1 year old at the time.  Praying for protection over his life with all this chaos going on, I felt like I needed to protect him with all of my might. (remember I’m just in the 7th grade, so with all the adults in my life worrying and crying you can imagine how scared I was) My baby brother was born when I was 11, so I somewhat feel like more of a mom to him than a big sister… (Protective sister to the extreme…Love you Bubba!)  I still have that same feeling of trying to protect him from everything in this world since that horrible day.  It says in 2 Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  When the enemy tries to attack me with fear over my brother’s life (or any of my loved ones), I pray.  I pray for Gods mighty hand to be on them, to protect them and show them the way in life.  I only want the best for my Bubba, I think that is why I have always been so protective over him.  I want the best for all my loved ones.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by PRAYER and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

The power of PRAYER… for years, I have and still remember this day for what has happened to this nation.  I pray for peace and comfort to console all those who lost their loved ones.  I pray for this nation, what a tragedy we went through.  I want to take a moment to thank each and every single person (and their families) who has served and still serving for my freedom.  God bless you.

Rejoice always, PRAY without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

And whatever things you ask in PRAYER, believing, you will receive. Matthew 21:22

When I was just a young girl, I remember going to church with my Granny, Momma, and Daddy. (All saved and baptized, praise God)  I would constantly ask my Pa, “You going to church with us today, Pa?”  Always getting the same response, “Not today, Sis.”  Only when I was in a play or singing would my Pa ever attend church.  When I wasn’t with my Daddy or Momma, I was following every foot step my Pa made.  Yes, I loved being with my Granny baking cakes, shopping, sewing..etc…, but hey, Pa let me drive the tractor, four wheeler, lawn mower, spear the hay, count the cows… you know out door stuff.  I might love dressing up in high heels and pink, but I sure love getting muddy riding the four wheeler too.  Like I said, every Sunday we went to church we ask my Pa to go too.  So, as far back as I can remember, I prayed for him.  Prayed that the Lord would save him so that one day after while “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder”… we will ALL be there.  I prayed for the man I followed every evening after school.  I went up to the alter to pray with my Granny and Momma.  On bended knees and tears flowing I prayed for him.  My younger brother (saved and baptized thank you LORD) and I prayed for him together… I never ceased to pray for him.  I knew in my heart, someday my Pa would be saved.  Prayed so much, there were times I didn’t have words.  “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses, for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.”  Romans 8:26

2 years ago on September 11. This day, which has been so sad for many years to me for my nation, also became one of the happiest days in my life.  My phone rang, and it was my Momma on the other line, she was going to be baptized and she wasn’t waiting she was doing it right then. She wanted to rededicate her life.  Praise the Lord!  My Momma went to my grandparents to help my Granny load my Pa for them to come watch… Pa has been in a wheel chair now for 6 years (give or take…)… We had been asking my Pa if he wanted to be saved.  Preachers, friends, family, a lot of people had witnessed to him, still his reply always was, “not today.”  Well, Glory be to God that my Momma ask her Dad if he wanted to be baptized with her and give his life to the Lord.  Glory, Hallelujah to the King, that he said “YES, TODAY.”  Bended knees, tear-flowing PRAYERS turned into hands stretched as far to the sky with PRAISE and happy tears.

My Pa, a man who never uttered the words, “I love you” to me as a youngster, says it every time I am getting off the phone.  He thanks me for calling and for visiting.  I am 29 now, to hear those words from my Pa never gets old.  To see how humble he has gotten, brings to me tears just writing this.  Yes, I am SOOO thankful and proud for my Momma being baptized.  I believe our PRAYERS, and her having the courage to ask him that day gave him the COURAGE to say YES!

On this day, I still pray for my nation and all those involved.  But I also must rejoice for an answered prayer.  I prayed without ceasing for my Pa to be saved, and I know without a doubt He is a changed man.

For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.  Mark 11:23-24  PRAY, believing!  I did, all of my life!

I am praying and have been praying for a few years now the same prayer daily.  I have prayed about it without ceasing and I know in Gods time, it too will be answered.  For His way always will succeed no matter what man does.

This is the day that the Lord hath made.  What the enemy did to our nation was horrific… May we claim victory over our nation and remember God will turn it around for good for those who LOVE Him.  May we raise up our hands to the King and pray for everyone and praise Him, the one who gives us our next breath.