Committing Our Prayers
Saturday, March 7
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Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
– Luke 18:1-8
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In 2015, I became a single mother. I made a very unpopular decision to leave an unsafe environment in order to raise my then 12 month old, three year old and five year old. The trials and turbulences I have faced, by true adversaries, are many, but no matter what I have faced, I have persisted that the Lord has a greater wonder for my life.
Through the many trials, I fervently feared, “Does no one desire to grant me justice from my adversary?” Daily I would cry out to the Lord, “Why am I falsely accused, why is no one protecting me, and why must I be the one to carry the burden.“
Looking back I visualize it as an ocean forming around me. As the initial waves began, I went to anyone who I thought could grant me justice - my lawyer, small group leader, co-workers, etc. As the waves grew, and just as I was sinking, the Lord reveled to me that He is the only one that can grant me justice from my adversaries.
I learned to pray, “Spirit, lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters wherever you could call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, and my faith will be made stronger.” Praying this prayer, I purposefully put my faith out there, almost daring the Lord to push me to the limit, saying, “Show me Lord, how much faith do you require of your servant. My faith will stand!”
It is through the building of this “ocean” of adversaries that the Lord was not only building my faith, but also a vast ocean of protection around me and my children. There is no adversary on Earth that can match the depths of the ocean the Lord has surrounded me with by His love; and my faith that He will protect me.
I lost friends - The Lord has restored friendships beyond my understanding!
I have been falsely accused - The Lord has me feasting among my adversaries!
I lost my family - The Lord has restored my family with a new marriage!
I lost my business - The Lord has guided me in my MEd., and I begin my Dr. Ed., while teaching at one of the most prestigious school districts in the country.
I lost all of my finances - The Lord has provided abundantly in ways that I know it is only by the grace of the Lord we have food in our pantry tonight!
I lost my home - The Lord has restored us with a new home this year!
Through the Parable of the Persistent Widow, the Lord has not only brought a great many blessings, but He has righted the wrongs and brought justice into my life. When I turned to the Lord to fulfill the injustice in my life, He first built my faith, like that of the Widow, and then He sought justice for me. May the Lord build a hedge of protection around you this season of Lent. Reflect on the depths He has gone to for you. Mediate on the new ways you want Him to challenge your faith, bring you justice, and reveal His great love for you! Amen!’’
Jessica Irick-Garrett
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