prayer – Apples of Gold Encouragement

AM I SALTY OR TASTELESS LORD? By Lori A Alicea

My husband has learned to look away.

Patrons near our restaurant table raise their eyebrows with questions.

Social etiquette might suggest it improper or rude to the chef.

While most prefer ketchup, there’s nothing more satisfying to my palate than a French fry dipped in salt.

black berries near salt — Photo by mali maeder on Pexels.com

Yes, call me the big dipper.

If ordering fast food and handfuls of salt packets are missing in the bag with our French fries, the birds are swooping low to eat my share I’ve thrown to the ground.

photography of seagulls on seashore — Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Pexels.com

Fries without salt is bland, boring, has no kick, is disappointing, and doesn’t put me on a scavenger hunt for those hidden at the bottom of the take-out bag.

Such is the culinary spice God has called us Christians to be in this world; salty.

You are the salt of the earth…
Matthew 5:13 NIV

salt pepper and flowers in pot on table — Photo by Mathias Reding on Pexels.com

The flavor of Jesus in our lives should have others asking when they taste a small sample of our love,

“What’s different about you?”

They won’t be able to pin-point at first that secret ingredient which whets their appetite for more (of Him); but they’ll ask.

clear glass jar lot — Photo by monicore on Pexels.com

Onlookers nearby will raise their eyebrows with questions and want what those sitting at our table are having.

two persons in a restaurant — Photo by Igor Starkov on Pexels.com

Being a big dipper in His Word and prayer will retain our saltiness and flavor for Jesus to taste good to those hungry for Him.

We are warned though to guard the seasonings of our heart from becoming watered down and tasteless when we’d rather blend in with everyone else instead of standing out in the crowd for His name’s sake.

time lapse photography of people walking on pedestrian lane — Photo by Mike Chai on Pexels.com

Without salt, we become bland and boring, living a life of disappointment and without kick, affecting no one for Jesus.

Without salt, we are those cast away fries for the birds; becoming of no value to God.

…But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to the thrown out and trampled by men.
Matthew 5:13 NIV

But how does the salt shaker from the spice rack of our heart become full again?

How can the tasteless become flavorful once more for Jesus?

Might it be through the salty tears from our Godly sorrow?

Might it be from the salty watershed tears of a repented heart?

Peter wept bitterly after denying he knew Jesus three times to save his own life following the Lord’s arrest.

close up photo of man crying in pink shirt — Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

…the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the world the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Luke 22:60-62 NIV

Yet in our own life…

Do we deny Jesus as Peter did when we fail to speak up for our Lord at work, when our job might be on the line if we do?

Do we deny Jesus as Peter did when we keep His truth to ourselves instead of confronting what’s contrary to God’s heart?

Do we deny Jesus when we stop needing and meeting with Him in our prayers, stop seeking for Him in the scriptures, and finding no reason to gather with the saints on Sunday?

Do we deny Jesus as Peter did for our safety’s sake instead of risking prison or our very life when Godly truth in a dying world is desperate for it?

Are we tasteless if others aren’t wondering…

“What’s different about you?”

Oh, that we weep those salty tears from our Godly sorrow.

Oh, that we weep those salty watershed tears of a repented heart.

Oh, that we weep bitterly as Peter did from the weight of the denials of our Lord.

unhappy unrecognizable woman leaning on tree and crying — Photo by Andres Ayrton on Pexels.com

But praise be to God for the Lord is faithful to forgive us again and to use us again as he did for Peter, when Jesus asked him three times over with His statement of love…

“Peter, do you love Me?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my lambs.”
(John 21)

shallow focus photography of white sheep on green grass — Photo by Kat Smith on Pexels.com

HE IS FAITHFUL TO HIS PROMISES! By Lori A Alicea

God is everywhere.

The same God I encounter on the mainland has followed me to this tropical island so many miles away from home.

He carries my luggage of innermost thoughts wherever I travel, encouraging me thru His promises to trust and travel light.

I don’t have to share my innermost thoughts to anyone, as God is always reminding me through others, through circumstances, or even a simple rainbow, that He hears my heart and will be faithful to His Word.

In the Bible days of Noah after God had destroyed the sinful world of people through a flood, He entered into a covenant with Noah never to destroy all life again with water, hanging a beautiful rainbow in the sky of this promise for our reminder.

I’ve never seen it rain without a rainbow; even after the mist of a tiny cloudburst in the afternoon.

And God said, “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between you and me and the earth…never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.” Genesis 9:13-15 NIV

Our hearts are safe in the hands of a faithful God; even those secret cares most mothers keep hidden in the pockets of her apron.

I remember not too long ago I was quietly having a conversation with God on my way to church concerning the secret cares in my pocket; reaching deep and lifting them up and asking Him once again regarding my prayers, “How long must I wait?”

I found this encouragement just today on social media regarding our “wait”.

“The length of time we wait for answered prayers is not a waste, it’s a building process. We can build faith or we can build discouragement, doubt and unbelief. Use your “wait” wisely and allow it to count for the benefits and blessings associated with faith and patience.”
Pastor Lawrence Raftery

That morning along the country road to church, I asked God for a Word concerning my cares.

While driving I noticed this beautiful rainbow following me as a traveled.

God is faithful to answer when we ask.

God was reminding me through these “crayons of color” in the sky, His promises follow wherever I go.

And follow me they did.

Here on the island after the mist of a midday cloudburst, another rainbow, another promise.

An answer to a mother’s care in her apron pocket so many miles from home yet God is everywhere, the same God who heard my prayers while driving to church.

We all wish we knew the (who, what, where, why and how) answers to our prayers.

But God is full of surprises. He sees the big picture.
He knows the full story.

God says it best…”Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9 NIV

God is faithful. We can trust Him because He is this faithful God.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NIV

I doubt I’ll be back to this island as our military family is preparing for their forthcoming duty station in the next six months; wherever that may be.

Closer to mom and dad would be nice.

My luggage is a bit lighter going home in a few days.

Not carefree, but a few less cares in my apron pocket.

Yes, God is everywhere.

His promises really followed me all the way to a tropical island from the mainland.

We serve a wonderful God.

HE SEES THE ONE! By Lori A Alicea

“Lord, if there’s anyone I need to meet today,
I trust you will arrange it.”

I pray these simple words every time I enter the grocery store, craft store, gym, or wherever I’m at during my day.

People masquerade their pain with fake smiles and one might never know which person is hurting, in need of an encouraging word, a timely prayer, a simple hug or smile; but God does.

“Shoulder to shoulder” among the crowds
He sees the one.

The sparrows fill the skies and yet
He sees the one which falls…
(Matthew 10)

While never losing sight over us, the one.

The conference I attended recently hosted over five thousand women who traveled from all corners of the world, gathering around a central theme that

Heaven Rules
In every situation of our lives;

A ministry I began listening to for encouragement during my lunch hour as a young, single mother raising two small children.

In the midst of a vast multitude, I believed for divine appointments with the one.

“Lord, if there’s anyone I need to meet today,
I trust you will arrange it.”

An hour before each session that weekend, I volunteered to be a greeter among the crowds.

Believing my job description was smiling, welcoming and taking group pictures of others by the photo walls…

I was caught off guard when women began asking questions of all kinds, for which I had no answers…

Directions to sessions taking place all over the convention center…

Directions to restaurants and coffee houses located in the surrounding city…

Questions spoken in languages I didn’t understand…

It would have been more accurate if my GREETER button actually said,
“DON’T ASK”…

After I sent a woman looking for a Spanish speaking prayer room to the nursing mother’s room instead…

When all I could do was smile and aimlessly point a group of hungry women to the food courts outside the front doors…

When I walked an elderly woman already out of breath down the long corridors to her next session, only to find us both in front of a dead-end section of the convention center…

You laugh over the blunders.

While being encouraged and reminded by a friend over coffee,

“Sometimes our wrong ways lead us the right way to a divine appointment.”

I think she’s on to something.

I continued to pray for the one that weekend.

It was a scavenger hunt for a needle in a haystack among five thousand women; but God knew the one.

He was about to introduce the three of us and reveal how intimately He knows us as the one.

Seated beside two sisters during a breakout session, I introduced myself and inquired of their “highlight moment” thus far.

One sister turned to the other sister smiling and rejoicing over their time spent together after a year’s lapse since they last saw each other.

During the course of our short conversation, we realized the younger sister and I lived thirty minutes apart; with the churches we attended down the road from the other.

Only to discover the younger sister was a bus driver at the same school my husband’s brother Joe and sister ‘n law worked.

I asked if she knew them.

A moment of silence as the older sister looked into the eyes of her sibling;

A gesture I believed had deeper meaning than they conveyed.

The face of the younger sister turned my way as she quietly spoke,

“I sat in awe during Joe’s three hour funeral, one year ago last summer.”

How timely our meeting; on Joe’s birthday, now celebrating in heaven.

Only God knew why three women were destined to meet from the five thousand among us.

I shared my prayer with two siblings sitting next to me three hours from home, so they could sense the divine appointment God orchestrated for us, the one,

“Lord, if there’s anyone I need to meet today,
I trust you will arrange it.”

Yes, God does hear our prayers; written, spoken or hidden inside our hearts.

I left a convention with question marks in my journal regarding this divine appointment with two sisters.

While being satisfied with the “need to know basis” we have with God.

I left a convention re-playing over and over my highlight reel…

Among the crowds and multitudes,
God keeps an intimate watch over me,
The one.

MEMORIES OF SUMMER By Lori A Alicea

Graduations from pre-school thru high school all set off confetti cannons to celebrate the end of another academic year.

Antsy students fidgeting at their desks on the last day of school will burst through the classroom doors as a mass exodus of summer excitement with the final ring of the bell.

From the beginning of June through the middle of August, parents have penciled in their children’s summer break on the pages of their calendars, signing them up and planning in advance for what will become in years down the road, their memories of summer.

Summer fun for me as a child rewinds a simpler life of baseball, camping, strawberry jelly and the county fair; a scrapbook of delightful memories the little girl in me loves to revisit each June.

Watching our grandchildren take their turn at the baseball plate,

Reminds me of those summers back fifty plus years ago with the smell of concession stand hot dogs and popcorn, boys trading baseball cards with a wad of bubble gum in their mouths and my brother riding his bicycle to the Little League field for baseball practice and games.

(my brother sits in front of the baseball bats)

Spring training for Little League announces a brand new season of baseball memories, while a little girl still reminiscences when her brother, a star pitcher back then, leads his team to a first place win two years in a row.

Summer memories are also made roughing it in the squelching heat of a tent or camper, sharing the experience with mosquitoes and raccoons in the back woods or back yard of a camping trip.

In exchange for hotel air conditioning and fine dining, the smell of sizzling bacon and scrambled eggs waft among the trees at breakfast.

Camping trips fill up a childhood album of time spent fishing with dad, swimming with siblings, and making s’mores around a crackling campfire before bed.

Making the highlight reel from my memories of summer take me back to an old fashioned tradition of strawberry picking and watching mother at her Magic Chef stove, preserving summer in a jar for those winter biscuits only months away.

Now, mother watches me from her kitchen stove in heaven, still wearing her apron, still sharing a summer memory as her recipe and an old fashioned tradition is being passed to the next generation.

Summer wouldn’t be complete without those memories of elephant ears, cotton candy, butter drenched ears of corn, cooling down with a bowl of Dippin’ Dots, being squished on the Scrambler while enjoying it all as a fun filled evening at the county fair with your dad.

The county fair reminds you to thank your Aunt for the years she filled up the pages of childhood memories for two generations of nieces and nephews at the fair, giving no thought of the money she spent on tickets, food and game prizes, all because she wanted to make a summer memory with you.

Lastly, after growing up, the sweetest memories of summer is the intentional pursuit of the little things…

Quality time spent with lifelong friends over coffee and breakfast.

Remembering to celebrate the generations and gifts of family around the dinner table.

Letting kids be kids at the beach, kids racing and acting crazy down the Slip ‘n Slide of your own backyard, or kids even spending a spontaneous moment in Papa’s sprinkler while only wearing their underwear.

Or, for those quiet moments spent alone with God in prayer during those early morning walks around the neighborhood track.

From the beginning of June thru the middle of August, the memories of summer are filling up scrapbooks of our children and grandchildren’s childhood.

I don’t know why I’m drawn to these albums during Little League season, when strawberries are ready, or when the county fair has made its way back into town.

Maybe becoming a grandmother, I remember the good ol’ days through the lives of my grandchildren.

Maybe I miss mom more when I see a batch of homemade jelly line the shelves of my kitchen pantry.

Maybe summer reminds me that the little things really are the big things, and to be more intentional about my pursuit of them.

Maybe I’m so thankful to God for my memories of summer, my scrapbook of delightful memories the little girl in me loves to revisit each June.

OUT FROM NOWHERE By Lori A Alicea

God is always speaking.

God’s voice leaps off the pages from His written Word.
God’s words are echoed through the beauty of nature.
God’s thoughts are heard as an impression placed on our heart.
Our loving Father even speaks in an audible voice.

But we must be willing to listen…
In a posture of stillness…
In a state of patience…
In a intimate time to receive.

Yes, our God is always speaking.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27 (KJV)

While travelling down a country road one summer morning with my husband, this cornfield caught our attention, though a familiar sight in the state we reside.

We pulled off to the side of the road and realized God was delivering a small sermon from the fields of this outdoor church.

Facing the first few rows from where God spoke, we sat in
Stillness from the church pews of nature’s sanctuary, to catch a message from the canvas’ He taught from.

Listen in on God’s sermon already in progress…

Out from nowhere there it is.

Attitudes we believed we had buried…
Fears we thought we could hide…
Disappointments kept to our self…
Worries we wrestle with in the dark…

And yet…

The fields of our lives are an open field
To those seeds we have yet to surrender to God.

Seeds which germinate and reproduce each planting season until our Father is granted permission to plow up the ground of our heart and cultivate a new thing.

Behold, I will do a new thing;
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall ye not know it?
….
Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

Out from nowhere there it is.

Those dreams you sowed in seasons of yesterday…
Dreams you dared to have dreamed…
Dreams between you and God that seemed to bear no fruit…
Dreams still waiting their turn for a harvest…

And yet…

God says, “Look out at the fields for which you’ve planted.”

“The roots of your faith have watered those dreams and kept them alive even when the seeds of your dreams appear to lay dormant.”

Yet are springing forth…

Be confident in me…

Behold, I will do a new thing;
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall ye not know it?
…
Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luke 1:37 (KJV)

Out from nowhere there it is.

In the distance you barely recognize the crops your garden grows…

From far away, unknown hands have been cultivating and preparing fertile soil for you to receive, to be fruitful in the things of God, planting this heritage from generation to generation on their knees and watering in tears those…

Fervent prayers from your parents…
Prayers of God’s promises from your grandparents…

Don’t you see the answered petitions of the generations springing forth?

Behold, I will do a new thing;
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall ye not know it?
…
Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

One generation commends your works to another;
They tell of your mighty acts.
Psalms 145:4 (NIV)

Out from nowhere there it is.

Don’t you see it?

A picture of fruitfulness…

When we die to ourselves daily…
Death to our attitudes…
Death to our fears…
Death to disappointments and worries.
Dying to self that Christ can live and be fruitful in us…

Through our dreams He has dreamed for us…

Through the seeds of promise we plant and water for the next generation…

…unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone;
But if it dies, it bears much fruit…
John 12:24 (ESV)

Behold, I will do a new thing;
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall ye not know it?
…
Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

LOT 232 By Lori A Alicea

Hard to believe six months have already passed us by.

During this short season the landscape of our life has been painfully pruned back by the gardener, fertilized and re-seeded for new and beautiful growth; but yet, that most sacred ground and scenery of our heart has remained untouched, unchanged.

Time does not discriminate and show favor to the weary, the broken, and those resisting the shears of the gardener’s pruning.

But life goes on as it should.

There’s wonder and beauty to be unwrapped and unveiled to those willing to continue their passage through the steep hills and rough terrain of change.

Remembering there are no shortcuts or detours, just one-way signs of “going thru” that difficult process of mining the heartache to discover those diamonds of new beginnings.

Lot 232 remains just as I remember.

The furniture hasn’t moved nor any picture or book out of place since I cleaned it last.

Contagious laughter of small children still echoes from the walls that captured their innocence seated around the table, each eating the spoils from the scavenger hunts of their grandmother’s cupboards.

The smells of the kitchen still retain their aromatic flavor and the recipes and memories remain that once framed the holiday dinner portraits at moms; the legacy gift I cherish most from her.

Evident from the unwrinkled comforter, mother’s bed hasn’t been slept in; although the soft music she used to play continuously from the small radio on her nightstand can be slightly heard if I lean in ever so closely.

Lot 232 hasn’t changed a bit in my heart, but of all the details I wish I could change, it would be that my key to Lot 232 still opened the front door to my mother’s life.

So much has changed these last six months and yet, that most sacred ground and scenery of our heart has remained untouched, unchanged.

Daughters are little girls who never outgrow the need to share those heart gushes with her mother.

Grandchildren need those rocking chair moments with their grandmother too.

The merry-go-round of living keeps spinning and changing, and how I desperately want off this ride.

But life must go on as it should;
Walking in the peace,
The calm and
Serenity of God’s love;

A journey that allows the Father to carry our troubles while carrying us when we need Him to.

“Going on” mandates the “letting go” of what our heart strings desperately cling to. It’s giving to God what has been His from the beginning.

There’s no looking back in the rear view mirror when your life is moving forward.

We must allow God to pack our suitcase of memories; a loving tour guide who encourages traveling light, not weighted down from the cares of what “used to be”.

I sure love you mom.

I keep your beautiful smile in my heart of remembrances.

Your prayers for the three generations you petitioned God for were not in vain.

Your prayers have taught us to place our hope in God.

And accept the things we cannot change.

Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the
Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can and
Wisdom to know the difference.

I drove by Lot 232 just the other day; an address one street over from when we used to be neighbors. Seems like yesterday we were sharing an early morning cup of coffee together on your porch.

They say you can take the neighbor out of the neighborhood, but never the neighborhood from the neighbor.

We’ll always be neighbor’s mom.

Addresses may change.
But keys to the front door of our memories will never need a locksmith.

Thank you God for Lot 232.

I have no doubt my mother didn’t need a change of address in heaven.

I’ll know exactly where to find her.

IN THE NOTICING By Lori A. Alicea

When you least expect it, God reveals himself
in the noticing.

In the obvious, in the subtle, when we’re not looking, and sadly,
When we fail to notice at all,
God is always faithful to
reveal Himself
in the noticing.

In these trying times the world is experiencing together, God is still a personal God and intimately aware of us individually in the smallest of our details, those too minute for even the strongest magnification; yet God sees it all and wants to reveal Himself
in the noticing.

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
You are familiar with all my ways.
Psalms 139:1-3 NIV

Which is why I shouldn’t have been taken off guard by the surprise of God, as I am fully aware that he knows me, perceives my thoughts and is familiar with all my ways, continuing to find me in the back roads, the hidden intersections of my life, and even down the aisles of the grocery store,

revealing Himself in the noticing.

Recently I found myself walking a bit slower than usual down the aisles of the grocery store, a gaper in a fog I suppose, stunned and close to tears at the barrenness of the shelves.

Shelves usually full of food unless a holiday is approaching.
A scarcity I’ve never seen in my lifetime.

Panic didn’t set in, yet I could see the unsettledness written on so many faces of the other shoppers.

As a mother I wanted to reach out and hug each passerby, especially the young parents with children in their cart, parents I imagined were fretting about “tomorrow”.

As a grandmother who has rocked ten grandchildren through their endless sleepless nights, I longed to comfort these moms and dads and remind them that everything is going to be alright.

Yet quite honestly, the barren shelves that afternoon were bothering me too.

In the noticing though,

God scattered “words of encouragement” throughout the store by someone thoughtful, words painted on rocks and left behind on shelves for shoppers to find, a word God knew
I needed in the noticing.

While rock hunting is not a new idea, as I have personally stumbled upon these decorated stones in the town park and rocks our grandchildren have found hidden by next door neighbors.

But this particular day God gave me a “now word”, a “word in due season” on a shelf at the grocery store, just waiting beside the few boxes of mac-n-cheese left behind for me to discover.

A word God gave me in the noticing was BELIEVE.
Lord, in the noticing…

You know me….
You perceive my thoughts….
You are familiar with all my ways….
Psalms 139:1-3 NIV

Lord, in the noticing you saw a weak moment of doubt in me, and now you were encouraging me to remember what I BELIEVE.

In this new pandemic storm unlike no other, boats all over the world seem tossed against the rage of the ocean, taking in and overwhelmed by the “waters of the unexpected”, whose compasses seem to have lost direction, leaving some to feel abandoned, stranded and lost at sea.

But in my boat and in the noticing,
God, you are encouraging me to remember what
I BELIEVE.

When boats are calm, it’s easy to say what we BELIEVE when
sailing waters that are sound asleep.

But when the tides wake up with a fierce headache and vessels everywhere are tossed in the sea of its anger, we have to firmly know what we BELIEVE, as our lives depend on it.

What I BELIEVE is God controls the storm.

The disciples experienced this first hand as Jesus calmed the fierce storm that held their boat captive and stirred their fears of drowning.
Witnessing this miracle the disciples in their amazement replied,

“Who is this?
He commands even the winds and the waters,
and they obey him.”
Luke 8:25 NIV

What I BELIEVE during these unexpected times when so many have lost their jobs or successes, the world will come to realize when provisions miraculously continue, that God has been their provider all this time.

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
Psalm 37:25 NIV

What I BELIEVE in this great time of sickness, God still heals. God longs for our faith to arise, to reach out for the “hem of Jesus’ garment” as the woman with the issue of blood did for her healing.

“Who touched me? Jesus asked….
But Jesus said, “Someone touched me;
I know that power has gone out from me.”
…..
Then he (Jesus) said to her,
“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
Luke 8:45-48 NIV

What I BELIEVE in this great time of lack,
People have revealed themselves full of generosity.

What I BELIEVE during these times mandated to our homes is a gift,
As families preoccupied and disconnected from the distractions of work, school, sports and play, needed to find their way back home and reconnect with those that they love.

What I BELIEVE is prayer is powerful, that prayer is bringing neighborhoods to their balcony’s, prayer is filling hospital parking lots of cars filled with people, all humbling themselves and calling on God to have mercy on them, seeking his face to heal their lands.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

What I BELIEVE that however painful during this great time of grief and sad goodbyes, we still have great HOPE of eternal life with the Lord for those who know Him as Lord, for those who:

…declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10 NIV

In the noticing

God knows us….
He perceives our thoughts….
God is familiar with all our ways….
Psalms 139:1-3 NIV

If you feel abandoned,
If you are feeling alone,
If you are worried about tomorrow,

God is noticing.

You are not abandoned,
You are not alone,
God has tomorrow already prepared.

Find calm in the storm,
As the winds and waters obey Him.
(Luke 8:25 NIV)

Determine to BELIEVE.

Find calm
In a loving God
Who Notices.

WHEN LITTLE EYES MUST PEEK By Lori A Alicea

It’s hard to wait for God’s reveal,
His answers when we pray.
God seems to take His precious time,
In years, in weeks or day.

We feel the urge to check on Him,
For answers that we seek.
Unable to withstand the wait,
Our little eyes must peek.
The corner’s bend we dare to see,
The Lord at work this week.
Instead of resting in His time,
Our little eyes must peek.

We bat our eyes, we blow a kiss,
To tug the heart of God.
He gently gives a sweet reply,
My child “I’ve got this” nod.

God loves when children ask of Him,
He listens when they pray.
Requests, he answers every one,
Keeps secret though the day.

His faithfulness should fuel our faith,
Our doubts they make us weak.
Believe in Him and calm the need,
For little eyes to peek.
Remind me Lord, your precious child,
With answers that I seek.
To trust in you when silence screams,
When little eyes must peek.

The answers to our prayers will come,
Take heart He’s never late.
Be confident we’re not alone,
He’s with us while we wait.

I call on you, my God,
for you will answer me,
turn your ear to me
and hear my prayer.
Psalm 17:6

WHILE ON MY KNEES IN PRAYER By Lori A Alicea

By day the Lord directs his love,
at night his song is with me…a prayer to the God of my life.
Psalm 42:8 NIV

Dear God, I kneel before you now,
My heart is prostrate too.
I yield my thoughts, I cast my cares,
That I may hear from you.

A moment just the two of us,
A conversation share.
Reveal a Father’s love for me,
While on my knees in prayer.

In silence I will wait for you,
But yet, you beat me here.
A Daddy longs his children close,
Delights to have them near.

It’s not my eloquence of words,
Or list my tears prepare.
But heaven stops to hear a child,
Who comes to him in prayer.

A child’s faith can tug his heart,
A father hears their need.
See mountains move with faith the size,
As small a mustard seed.

You know my words before I speak,
My needs you’re so aware.
But yet you beckon me to ask,
While on my knees in prayer.

I thank you for my daily bread,
Each meal you’ve given me.
No lack, but full my cupboards are,
Though empty I might see.

Oh stir my appetite for you,
Dear Lord, I tarry there.
That place to hunger for your love,
Please satisfy my prayer.
Where two are gathered in your name,
You’re here for us, for me.
Oh Lord we listen for your voice,
In patience wait for Thee.

My simple words this child speaks,
For more of you I dare.
A Father runs to hear his child,
Who folds their hands in prayer.

No matter what the age we are,
A child to God are we.
Such gifts a Father wants to give,
If wait for Him to see.

Present to You a child’s heart,
Sweet hands I cast my care.
So loved I feel in your embrace,
While on my knees in prayer.

…but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.
Psalm 66:19 NIV

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