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When Your Prayers Change

November 30, 2011 //  by Ashley Nolan

In the last few months my prayers have changed.

Up until this past summer I had been going through life, working in ministry, praying for marriages, expanding our family, dealing with normal wife and mom stuff, and generally living to create stability and safety–all for the glory of God, of course.
pho

Granted, we had our share of challenges, but I wondered, is this ALL that God had for my role in His story? I never settled on a yes, so I did what I normally do. I read books, searched for information, and prayed.

I read a book that created a compelling reason to live a good story–you know the kind–the ones we read about or watch movies about which are often characterized by risk, loss, challenge, life or death situations and sacrifice.

At the end of the book, I realized this was the missing piece: I wanted to live a good story and I didn’t feel like I was.

I started to pray, “God, I want to live a good story. I want to be available to you and be used in the bigger story that you are telling.” For a while, I just prayed that same thing over and over throughout my days and nights, wondering and thinking.

Then God started answering.

He began opening my eyes to His story, the one where he commands us to “look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Did you know that’s a command?

I didn’t.

It’s one that I learned to view through a different lens after reading Katie Davis’ story, because I know I can do more.

Through reading Katie’s story on her blog and in her book, I was moved to action for the first time.

Caring for orphans can take on many different forms: prayer, sponsorship, financial support for another family who is willing and excited to adopt a child, and of course, adopting a child into your family, which I HIGHLY recommend.

Sometimes I get caught up in the logistics. By nature I’m a planner, but God is SO much bigger than my plans. You would think that after two babies in six months I would know that!?!? But I quickly forget and God patiently reminds me over and over that HE is writing this story.

I get stuck in the “what ifs” and “how” of a situation.

Then I see the pictures of the orphans with hollow eyes and tattered filthy clothes and suddenly my fears melt away, and the Lord draws me back into His story, where details don’t matter because kids need a home.

ashley

Photo taken from amazima.org with permission.

They need to know what love is so that they can learn the name of Jesus. And I think, just maybe, I am the one who is supposed to tell them about Jesus and show them HIS love.

How is God calling you to care for orphans?

Pray for an opportunity that you can say yes to right now. You won’t regret it!

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18

Category: Adoption & Orphans, Child's Faith, Mom's Walk with ChristTag: adoption, ashley

Ashley Nolan

About Ashley Nolan

Ashley is on an exciting journey to know God more intimately through a fresh prayer life and a renewed perspective on suffering. In her free time, she enjoys helping her kids discover their passions, and going on dates with her handsome husband. She has an intense passion for supporting families in the adoption process, as well as being an ambassador for Care for AIDS. Her family and several friends, support a Care for AIDS center in Kariobangi, Kenya. They enjoy hosting several events in the Atlanta area to support clients trying to find healing and restoration from AIDS. Check out www.repromatlanta.com and eastcobbredrun.com to get involved. She loves to talk with people about the restoration happening in Kenya, and looks forward to taking trips to visit friends there with her husband and kids.

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Greetings from Texas! I’m not an expert. I’m your friend. I love when faith comes to life in families. That’s what I’m doing most days of the week. Or, apologizing to my kids for the mess ups. Come in and get comfy. Start here.

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