Those Aha Moments

Last week I shared George Mueller’s insight into prayer. I encouraged you to read or reread his story. Most of you probably didn’t. Here it is again.
It is long. But even though I wrote it, I gained much from re-reading it—conviction for one, inspiration for another. So press the link to read that article.
Today's article is about the application of last week’s article. So if you have not read that one, here’s the link.

As I used the Scripture to focus my prayers, I wondered if this would work—since I wasn’t in the Psalms where it is easy to worship and focus, I was in 2 Samuel 24. 
I’m glad I persevered with starting where I was reading.
Chapter 24:1 Now again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and it incited David against them to say, ‘Go number Israel and Judah.’
Joab tried to persuade the king not to, but David insisted.
As a result, (they were told by God not to number the people), God offered David three punishments. Shall seven years of famine come to you in your land? Or will you flee three months before your foes while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days’ pestilence in your land? v 13.

There had been no record of any defeats while David was king, with the exception of the internal wars when his sons fought for kingship.
David choose. I am in great distress. Let me now fall into the hand of the Lord for His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man. V 14.

So the death angel was sent.
But still David prayed.
The death angel stopped at the threshing floor of Araunah.

And David approached Araunah to burn offerings.
He requested to make an altar there on Araunah’s threshing floor. When Araunah offered everything to David, David responded, 
I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing.

Notice the aha moment:
Thus the Lord was moved by prayer for the land, and the plague was held back from Israel.

Why is it an aha moment for me?
Aren’t we in a plague?
I have prayed for those sick with COVID. 
I have prayed for protection for those not sick with COVID. 
I have prayed for our leaders and government as they handle the COVID.
I have prayed for our world as it has changed because of COVID.
BUT I DID NOT PRAY FOR GOD TO REMOVE COVID.

I shared with others about the aha moment.
I thought we could all begin praying for it together.
The one leader's response was that it was a good thing to pray about.
God doesn't instruct us all to do the same thing.
I know God doesn't impress upon everyone to focus on the same thing, but the world is focusing on COVID. That's all anyone talks about.
Shouldn't that concern everyone?

Another aha moment (I will spare you all the moments in between) came in 1 Kings 8:37-44 when Solomon had finished building the temple and was dedicating it to God.

If there is a famine in the land, if there is pestilence, if there is blight or mildew, locus or grasshopper, if their enemy besieges them in the land of their cities, whatever plague, whatever sickness there is, whatever prayer or supplication is made by any man or by all Your people Israel, each knowing the affliction of his own heart, and spreading his hands toward this house; then hear in heaven Your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each according to all his ways, whose heart You know, for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men, that they may fear You all the days…

Also concerning the foreigner, for they will hear of Your great name and Your mighty hand and of Your outstretched arm….in order that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, to fear You. 

For such a great magnitude as stopping a world-wide plague, I would need the help praying, wouldn't I?
But these verses say, prayers made by any man (Singular.)
God still will hear just my prayer and can if it pleases Him, stop the plague—for His glory.

I will continue to pray. If no one prays with me.
Maybe God will lead you to pray with me. I hope so.
But I know it does not take two, for God to hear.
I will persevere.

I write about what matters...to you---
women, wives and moms---
about your family, faith and future.
I write about what's hard, what helps and what heals.
I show you how it's done. And not done.
I hold your hand as you find what matters to the Savior.
And let go of those things that mattered to you, but not to Him.
I write about what matters...to Him.
               Sonya Contreras

Faith
Find more articles about faith here:
Are You Disturbed?
Unity of the Brothers
Encouragements To Declutter
Do You Have Too Much Stuff?
Too Much Stress
Getting Past the Noise—The Value of Silence
Are You Scatterbrained?
How Good Are You?
Looking for Something Good To Read?
A Cup of Cold Water
I Will Trust When I Cannot See
Encouragement—What Is It?
Being in God's Presence
"Einstein and the Professor"
When God Is Silent
Do You Crave Beauty?
Using Stories to Discipline
The Danger of the Wrong Story
Using Stories to Teach Lessons
God is in charge of the future
November Dare Joy Challenge
Ungratefulness
Developing an Attitude of Gratitude
Looking for Jesus
What Do Your Prayers Reflect?
Life's Little Pleasures
Daniel—Greatly Loved by God
Take Every Thought
Jars of Clay
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Reflections from a Mom
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Consider the Robin
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Is Jesus Really the Answer to Everything?
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Those Aha Moments
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the Bible is simple
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Don't Carry More than You Need
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God Is Faithful
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Are You Essential?
Are You Safe?
Are You Tired of the Same Old Thing?
Does the World Make Sense?
Have You Seen God's Majesty?
Do You Feel Judged?
If You Only Had One More Day To Live
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Do You Long for the Word of God?
Slow Down and Smell the Dead Leaves
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Our Heritage Is Bought by Blood
Are You Disturbed?
Are You Depressed?
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The Simple Life
Do You Have the Right Words?
Did Your Dream Die?
On the Other Side of the Fence
Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence
Confessions of a Desperate Mom
Saving for Tomorrow
A Wedding Remembered
Who Will Stand in the Gap?
Are You a Protector or a Ruler?
Who Are You?
Are You an Image Bearer or a Wad of Cells?
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Remember: The Symbols of Passover Explained
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When Life Is Awful
Are You Strong Enough?
Rules
Seasons
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Wake Up! Strengthen What Remains
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Is Jezebel in Your Midst?
Do You Stand Against Satan Himself?
Are You Tired of Being a Mom?
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It's Not My Story
How Would Your Faith Compare?
Are You Sinking?
Are You a Rule Follower?
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An Intimate Moment with Mary
The Worldview that Makes the
   Underclass
Thoughts to Ponder
What Does It Take To Know the
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See the Story in the Stars
Do the Scriptures Burn You?
Being in His Presence
Contentment: It's Not for the Timid
How Secure Are You?
How Do You Respond To Stupid People?
The Earthworm Is My Hero
Heart Issues or Issues of the Heart
Things Aren't Always What They Seem
More faith articles are found here:

under the Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Or here:

under the Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Articles on Suffering can be found  here, 

under Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Special Days
Remember: The Symbols of 
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Aug 12, 2017 The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
July 4th, Freedom
What Is an American Soldier?
Valentine's Day: A Day of Love?
Memorial Day-A Day To Remember
Veterans' Day-To Honor Our Men
Fall Colors
First Thanksgiving Day
    Proclamation
Christmas: Stories behind the Songs
Christmas: Stories behind the Songs, part 2