Arise. Butterfly. Pray.

I never thought I would ever step into an abortion clinic again.
After the trauma of my abortion fourteen years ago, I vowed never to go back.
But this morning I did.

I wore my pro life badge in honor of the "40 Days For Life" prayer movement.
My badge is of a babys' hands - to scale of a twelve week old in the womb.
In 559 cities around the world, believers pray and fast for forty days, some standing outside abortion clinics and peacefully pray for the mothers and children killed and scarred by abortion. And to ultimately end abortion.

I felt very strongly that I had to go inside the clinic. I had vowed to never enter an abortion clinic again after the pain I had gone through as a scared and desperate teenager. But in I went and sat quietly in the waiting room. They would throw me out if I tried to convince one of their potential clients not to have an abortion on their property, so all I could do was pray. 

I sat watching each person, not judging, but just compassionately praying over each and every one. 

Not everyone in there was there for an abortion because Marie Stopes also provides other services like sterilization and HIV testing. But I still prayed for everyone. And then I left. And I didn't feel profoundly spiritual or like I had achieved much.

Part of me felt like I didn't do enough. All I did today was go and pray.
I wanted to tell the mothers who had abortions that if they turn to Jesus, He will forgive them. I wanted to tell the girl considering an abortion that it is not a quick fix.

Then a very special friend messaged me to ask how it went. She was praying for me from her home. I told her that I felt like what I had done wasn't enough. I didn't see the effects of my prayers. I believe God heard them, but I didn't feel super spiritual.

She reminded me of this amazing principle: 

Darkness always gives way to light. It has to. It is a basic principle and law. My presence wasn't there for nothing, and the life I spoke in the walls of death were heard by God.

The next "40 Days For Life" will be in February 2015, I am praying that even more believers will take part.

God hears me ask for this.

He hears all my prayers. 

He hears all of your prayers too.

Every prayer.

Always.

"God's there, listening to all who pray, for all who pray and mean it. He does what's best for those who fear Him - hears them call out, and saves them." Psalm 145:18-19 MSG

For more information on 40 Days For Life visit: http://40daysforlife.com/

Tips For Busy Mamas: How to spend more time with God

We live in a time where we seem to have no time.

Yet we also live in a time where we have so much information and so many Christian resources at our fingertips. Christian radio, television programs, movies and magazines have made it so easy for us, as believers, to enrich ourselves and move closer to God.

We have the resources but not the time to invest.



Here are a few tips to make time and to ensure the time you have with Him is quality time:

1. Wake up 30 minutes earlier to ensure you have quality time with God before the hustle and bustle of the day begins. Starting your day off with a quiet time will help you in the day ahead because your mind will be renewed, you will be more focused, prepared, calm and centered.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

2. Read your Bible. Seems pretty obvious doesn't it? But read it out loud and try reading the different translations to fully appreciate the richness of what is being said.

3. Pray. To prevent your mind from drifting and getting distracted whilst praying, kneel beside your bed and close your eyes. It really does help, try it.
And make a prayer journal... Make a list of the thing you are currently praying for so that you can stay focused. Fast when you pray. Give up food or something that you love, like television or social networking and spend that time in prayer or reading your Bible instead.

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:7

4. Make Jesus a lifestyle. Include Him at mealtimes. But not in a weird way. Have family discussions around the dinner table about what you are praying for and what amazing testimonies you have witnessed. Ask questions. Encourage your children to ask questions too. Make speaking about the Bible and God, and praying together at meal times, such a natural routine in your family, that your children don't become defensive when you mention Jesus. Teaching His Word should not feel like a trip to the headmasters office. Although as parents we are instructed to teach our children, we should be humble in doing so.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

5. Involve your children. You do not need to lock yourself away from your children just to spend time with God. And for many mothers (like me) the children are around 24/7. Get a childrens' Bible with beautiful illustrations and read to them. Teach them to pray. Encourage them to take turns saying grace at mealtimes and praying at bedtime and let them see that prayer is as simple as talking to God.

6. Give thanks in a "Things I am grateful for" note book.  Last year January, after being inspired by the book, One Thousand Gifts by Anne Voskamp, I decided to carry a notebook and pen in my hand bag and write down all the small things that I am thankful for as I would observe them. Small things that I took for granted, like the smell of rain and the doves singing on my windowsill became apparent and I became so aware of all the miracles around me.

7. Listen while you are busy cooking or busy with chores. Get a radio in the kitchen or speakers for your phone. Listen to Podcasts of sermons or get them on C.D at your local Christian bookstore. Many Churches record their sermons and then allow them to be downloaded in MP3 format. YOUTUBE also has many sermons available.

shoX portable speakers are great for moving around and can be plugged into your Mp3 player, Iphone, laptop, Ipad, or Ipod.
Retail price starts at R180.00 in South Africa and available at most electronic retailers.

8.  Memorize verses. Write them on little pieces of paper, or on a chalk board , mirror or on your fridge. Write it somewhere that you will see often. These verses are your weapons in spiritual warfare.

Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.  Proverbs 7:2-3

9. Read a chapter in Proverbs according to the date.
There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. Therefore a verse in Proverbs for each day of the month. Proverbs is the book of wisdom after all!

10. Christian-ify your media. Consciously decide what you and your family will watch, listen to and read. Choose Christian Magazines, radio and movies over secular ones and Christian children's programes for the little ones.

In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6.

11. Fellowship with other believers. Sharing testimonies around the dinner table with friends, praying together as friends, going to Church and Bible studies and simply keeping our conversations about Him all bring us closer to Him and to each other.

12. Take a walk in nature. Marvel at all the beautiful things that He has created.

13. Make a list of miracles that have happened in your life and stick it next to your bed or in your car where you can see it daily as a reminder of all that He has done for you.

Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. Psalm 103:2

14. Worship. Find worship music in the genre that you like. Not everyone likes the same style of music and that is wonderful. There are many Christian artists with many different styles of music out there. It is the heart behind the song, not the style that matters to Him.

But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve." Jeremiah 17:10

15. Sing to Him. Even if you feel that you sound like a squealing pig. God wants to be worshiped.

16. Dance in the spirit. Dance for Him as if you were dancing before His throne. Let the spirit guide you and set you free.

Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp. Psalm 149:3

17. Talk  to Him. Continually. About everything. Run to the throne and not the phone. Jesus wants us to speak to Him. And He really does care about every detail of our lives.

18. Make a sin list and burn it. Write down all the things that you feel are sinful and  that are holding you back from living in victory and BURN IT.

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Psalm 103:2

Remember. God will never leave nor forsake you and His Holy Spirit lives within us and works through us. If you feel far away from God, ask yourself, who moved?