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The Power of a Simple Prayer

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Silhouette of woman praying to god

I’ve long been a fan of Max Lucado. His books have such an element of simple truth to them that they never fail to resonate with my soul.

His book A Cure for Common Life inspired me to pursue my dream of writing when I was just starting the journey, when fear and doubt threatened to paralyze me and tempted me to forfeit my calling. This book encouraged my spirit, made me brave, and confirmed in my heart that God truly had planted a purpose within me.

Years later when my writing career began taking off, another of Max’s books crossed my path at just the right time. It’s Not About Me. I’ve always had an achiever mentality. I made straight A’s in school. Never got into trouble as a teenager. I have a strong perfectionist streak. And when I attach my name to something, I want to make sure it is the best possible work I can do. These are good qualities, God-given qualities, yet they also leave me particularly vulnerable to the sin of pride. And when books with my name on them started showing up on the Christian bestseller lists, humility became more and more elusive. This book helped recenter me. Helped me deflate my ego and turn the glory where it truly belongs, on the Lord.

Now I’m reading a new Max Lucado offering, and again, it is speaking to me just when I needed it to. My life is in transition. My daughter is about to graduate high school and head off to college. My son is learning to drive, and my youngest boy will be moving to high school this fall. My level of influence as a mother is shrinking as my children become more and more independent. Soon they will all be out of the house.

I’ve always prayed for them, from the time I carried them in my womb, but praying for them while I am around to guide them doesn’t require quite the same level of trust as praying for them when they are on their own. Making their own decisions. Living with the consequences. Consequences that could affect their souls, their faith, their spiritual walk. It’s terrifying. For some reason, trusting God with their physical safety is easy. Trusting God with their souls is so much harder, probably because the implications are eternal. Yet I keep telling myself that God loves them even more than I do, that he wants them in heaven with him, that he will work for their eternal good. But it’s still hard to truly let go and leave their well-being fully in his hands.

So I’ve found great solace in reading Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer by Max Lucado. I’m only a couple chapters in, but already it has made an impact and given me confidence to come before the Father with my worries and fears and to leave them there at his feet.

When we invite God into our world, he walks in. He brings a host of gifts: joy, patience, resilience. Anxieties come, but they don’t stick. Fears surface and then depart. Regrets land on the windshield, but then comes the wiper of prayer. The devil still hands me stones of guilt, but I turn and give them to Christ. (p. 9)

Don’t take pride in well-crafted prayers. Don’t apologize for incoherent prayers. . . Just be honest–honest to God. Climb into his lap. Tell him everything that is on your heart. Or tell him nothing at all. Just lift your heart to heaven and declare, Father. . . Daddy . . . And sometimes “Daddy” is all we can muster. Stress. Fear. Guilt. Demands on all sides. All we can summon is a plaintive “Oh, Father.” If so, that is enough. (pp. 19-20)

  • What books have you read lately that have spoken God’s truth into your spirit?
  • Have you read Max Lucado? If so, what is your favorite book by him?

Also, I’m currently running a giveaway for another 4 copies of my latest release, With This Ring? If you would like to enter, I’ve included the contest entry form below. It will run until noon on Friday.

Blessings!

Click here to view this promotion.

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Karen Witemeyer

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and gospel hymn singer who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she's on deadline. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.
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Comments

  1. Karen, I love Lucado’s books, too. Last year, I focused my devotional reading on prayer, and Before Amen was one of the first books I read. I loved it. There is a companion book that goes with Before Amen called Pocket Prayers.It is filled with sample prayers, using the framework explained in Before Amen. You might want to check it out.

    • Thanks, Robin! I’m about halfway through the book now, and it is really boosting my prayer life. Sometimes we just need that reminder to refocus our efforts on areas we’ve let go too long on autopilot. I’ll look into those pocket prayers, too. 🙂

  2. Thank you for sharing this. It hit me right in the heart. My oldest is graduating from college this semester and my second is in his freshman year in college. The youngest starts HS in the fall. I felt like you were staring right into my life. I am so thankful that when I don’t know the words the Spirit knows my heart. I have a great respect for Max Lucado. I’m going to get this one to read.

    • It’s hard letting our children grow into adults, isn’t it? Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone in this struggle, Melissa. I hope Max’s book encourages your soul as much as it has encouraged mine.

  3. My daughter, who’s now 33, started having kidney stones when she was just 16. Hereditary unfortunately. She’s had numerous ones since then, three had to be surgically removed. Someone told her it was similar to giving birth (I think it’s worse!) so she started naming them!
    Someone gave her the book by Max, “He Still Moves Stones” funny or not so, she really enjoyed reading it.

    • That’s hysterical, Gail! How perfect. 🙂 My husband has had a couple bouts with kidney stones, and I know they are excruciating. To have them from such a young age must have been awful. May He not only move stones for her but stop their production altogether.

  4. I don’t know that I have actually read a Max Lucado book all the way through. I know we have read/studied with them in youth Sunday school. But I am going through a Bible study right now Everyday Women…Ever Faithful God. It is about 9 women in the Old Testament that encourages us that God knows what He is doing and even if we have to go through hardships (which our family has in abundance medically) God will be with us every step of the way.

  5. Wow, Karen! I love the new contest entry form you were able to include in your post. It’s so sophisticated looking!

    …I can tell that I’m going to need to learn how to use yet another new-to-me piece of technology. 🙂 And why not? I still have a few strands of hair left to pull out.

  6. I’ve read several of Max Lucado’s children’s books. Yes they are very poignant & speak to your heart every time. Thank you for sharing about 3 of his special books. Bless you for the giveaway, I love your books.

  7. Just came from my Moms in Prayer group when I saw your post about prayer.
    So thankful for those blessings who are now young adults!

  8. I love Max Lucado! I just bought Glory Days and it is on my TBR pile. My favorite title by Max is Facing Your Giants.

  9. I haven’t read any Max Lucado books, but a couple of the ones you mention look good! I’ve recently read “The Best Yes” by Lysa TerKeurst which really spoke to me.

  10. Thank you for your wonderful post. The power of prayer is great and I firmly believe in it. I am so thankful that God is with us and watches over us.

    • Me, too, Melanie. It is the best way I’ve found to feel connected to Him. When my prayer life slips, so does the intimacy of my relationship. I’m thankful for the nudge He gave me this year to get back into the Word on a regular basis and to spend more time on my knees. My spirit is reaping the benefits.

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