Join Us for Weekly Inbox Encouragement + Access to a Full Library of Free Faith-Building Tools

Sign me up!

Kristi Woods

Encouraging Women to Walk Deeper with God

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Speaking
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • Blog
    • Spiritual Growth
    • Mentoring
    • Emotional Health
    • Faith Resources
    • Faith Holidays
  • Bible Studies
  • Nonfiction
  • Fiction
  • Free Christian Resources

Speak Less, Listen More + Free Prayer Card

November 12, 2014 by Kristi Leave a Comment

Today’s practical tip is guest posted by devo extraordinaire, Emily Cabitac. Our love for women’s ministry brought us together in Hawaii, and our love for Jesus keeps us in touch over the miles. There is always depth to Emily’s words, even the simplest of them. Today’s words are no different. Enjoy her post, written just for you, all the way from California. ~ Kristi

 

I started Bikram Yoga. Bikram is practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees, and my first class was an eye-opener. I learned that sweat can pour out of my body by the gallons, and that I was capable of praying without ceasing.
               
“Dear God, please help me…
  
Lord, is this what hell is like?
               
I’m tired, Father.”
                
Throughout, I pleaded with God to help me through self-imposed torture. It was so hot I couldn’t breathe; muscles I never knew existed screamed in agony. 

Blinded by perspiration and a barrage of idle thoughts: When is this over? Did I put enough money in the meter? What is my husband doing?, I struggled to listen to the teacher and tried my best to do the postures. 

During a short rest, I sensed the Holy Spirit. Emily, when you go through seemingly impossible situations and pray, I want you to HEAR ME as clearly as you hear this teacher’s voice. I will tell you your next move. And you WILL do it.

               
“God, is that You?  

 I can barely focus on the teacher’s voice.

What do You mean You’ll tell me my next move?”

                
Then it hit me. 

Yoga was about pulling and stretching my body in all directions, challenging my balance and flexibility. I was to hear my teacher’s voice and submit, breathing through the difficulty. The end result: a stronger, healthier me.

                
What does this have to do with prayer? I was praying buckets during yoga. Oftentimes though, prayer is my one-way conversation with God, complaining about life’s situations and hoping for a way out. He listens, He does. But God was asking me to speak less and listen more.
               
He wants me to call on Him when the world feels less-than-heavenly and it hurts to keep going. He knows my pain; therefore, He knows how to help me. When I “pause” to breathe in His Spirit and intentionally listen for His voice, He’s crystal-clear, revealing His good and perfect will for my life. Then I can take bold action.
                
1 John 5:14-15 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.” 

Our goal is to live a life of OBEDIENCE IN ACTION. 
In order to know God’s will and do it, WE NEED TO HEAR HIM. 

Prayer involves reaching out, being intimate with God, and embracing His desires for us.

               
When the going gets tough, we tend to complain and quit. Instead, let’s raise our hands up and declare, “God, You are my Lord, My Savior. I follow Your lead because You love me and Your way is better.” 

And when He speaks, respond, “Yes, Lord. I agree. It is good,” and pray everything back to Him, committing to do exactly what He says to do.


Yoga has made my body stronger, healthier. But more importantly, my prayers are deeper, and I hope, closer to the heart of God. Let’s talk less, listen more, and obey with full confidence that we have what we ask for. 




About Emily Cabitac~

I am blessed to be called Wife to an A-MAY-ZING Man (married 15 years this month!) and Homeschool Mom to three Fun and Wildly Energetic Boys. I love to sing and dance and play the guitar, as well as run and bike and be “sporty”. I am a Consultant for Rodan+Fields which is my fun time, since I get to speak with adults. My passion is to see people fall in love with Jesus and live their lives empowered by the Holy Spirit – in essence, to BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!
Follow me on Facebook or email me at: mle44@yahoo.com.



P.S. The top graphic, a sunset view from O’ahu, is your prayer card for today. You can print it here.
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print

Related

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Do you struggle with Rejection?

Subscribe below to receive the 3-day devotional Removing the Sting of Rejection in your inbox for FREE. Use this devotional to build your spiritual muscles to counter the sting of rejection.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I accept the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome


Welcome!

I’m Kristi. I write stories: God’s, yours, & a few pretend people. (Christian romance and Christian nonfiction)

Find encouraging stories or links to them at this site, as well as faith-building tools like Bible studies and more for people like you and me. (Sometimes my characters use them, too!)

So grab a seat, prop up your feet, and please feel welcome.

Oh, in case you’re interested, here’s my story.

 

Subscribe Here

KristiWoods.net sign-up form

YES, PLEASE!
Email me updates & offer access to a WHOLE LIBRARY of free faith-building downloads, stories, and more.

Now Available

Book cover for The Many Lives of Veronica

picture of printable scripture cards from Psalms - for sale in the Kristi Woods Etsy Studio

Digital Bible Study cover picturing sand grains for Shake Off Discouragement

Thumbnail of 12 Scripture Cards, verses from Psalms, printable and available in the Kristi Woods Etsy Studio

Products for sale (Digital Bible studies, bible verse cards) on graphic for Kristi Woods Etsy story - Shop Christian products

Picture of free 30-day Psalms reading challenge with Christian blog post title

Notepad, pen, glasses, and drink on a white surface with the title of this Christian podcast

A 6-Episode Podcast to Help Supercharge Your Faith

Speaking Events

 

Popular Posts

Introducing post 5 Ways to Grow Your Faith

Christian Blog Post title




 

 

This site uses affiliate links. Click here to read the full disclosure and here to read a note about our affiliates.

Topics

Anxiety Bible Bible Memory Verses Bible study Blogs Books Christian Marriage Christian Parenting Christian Podcasts Christmas Courage in the Bible Discouragement in the Bible Easter Faith Fear in the Bible Forgive Free Resources Friendship God Gratitude Guest Post Healing Hope Identity in Christ Love Outreach Prayer Salvation Scripture Testimonies Thanksgiving Trust

Pin with Me!


For Sharing

Kristi Woods

Copyright © 2022 Kristi Woods | Site by MRM | Privacy & Disclosure

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.