Mbostrom2's Blog

They that wait upon the Lord renew their strength. They that wait upon men dissipate their energies. Leonard Ravenhill (1867-1942)

This all began at Christmas time, 2001. I had just finished helping with the Christmas production at the church, with all the months of rehearsal and the last minute trials that are involved My husband and I had guests at our home frequently for the past few months, in addition to the usual Christmas activities, parties, shopping and Christmas cards to send. I was exhausted!

One day when I was spending time with the Lord I prayed something like this, “Lord, you promised in your word that, ‘they that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.’ (Isaiah 40:31) Lord, I am weary. It seems like I am under and not over the circumstances. I have definitely gotten off course. Please, teach me to wait. I guess I am doing everything wrong, because I know that your Word will never fail. It is alive and active, causing me to overcome in all areas. What am I doing wrong? Please, please Lord, teach me to wait.”

The promise of God in James for anyone who needs wisdom is found in the first chapter of James, the fifth verse; “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” God wants to give us His wisdom in every area, but we are to ask. The Amplified Bible calls God ‘the giving God’ in this verse. He will give you the wisdom you need without reminding us of our shortcomings. I think we limit God too much in trying to do things for ourselves, without the help of the God who knows all things.

I had been born again almost twenty years at that time. I had completed two Bible Schools and was in the ministry full time so I felt I had a more than average understanding of the Word of God. Therefore, I realized this problem was something I was in error about. God promised us rest in Jesus. Matthew 11:28-30 says to “Come to Me, all of you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

I have always had a problem taking on too many projects and most of the time my health has suffered because of it. At each of these times the Lord has gently shown me to come back to Him and refresh. It seems that I forget those teachings when I am too busy.

Several years ago I was introduced to a marvelous teaching of Dick Eastman, the book called “The Hour that Changes the World.” [1] He was teaching on how to pray one hour by breaking the hour into twelve segments of five minutes each.

That book has revolutionized my life and the lives of all those to whom I have been a mentor in this prayer teaching. In the time frame of meditation, I chose to meditate on ‘waiting’. This book you are now reading is a result of the Holy Spirit revealing to me three different ways we wait on the Lord, according to the season of life we are in at that time. I know there are many more teachings and writings on this topic, but this is the revelation the Holy Spirit used to teach me to wait on the Lord.

Following the hour of prayer I always feel complete and fulfilled. I have slightly improvised Dick Eastman’s teaching as he suggested doing. Prayer should never be a religious form, but a relationship; communication between you and your Maker. As I pray this way I feel I have covered everything that I have been commanded to do according to Scripture. After that time of prayer and throughout the day I can pray how I am led by the Holy Spirit.

I have brought out my hourly prayer frame in the last chapter of this book. I trust that the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth, will teach you as you submit yourself to the Great Teacher.

Systematic prayer adds health to the devotional habit. Most tasks in life are accomplished systematically. In fact without a systematic approach in life, many goals would remain unreached. [2]

Please pray with me: Father, I come to you in Jesus name, and ask according to Ephesians 1:18 that the eyes of my understanding may be enlightened and that I may see the truth of this teaching. May I hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church right now. Holy Spirit, I thank you that you have come to help me, to lead me, to guide me. I trust you Holy Spirit and I trust the Word of God. Lead me and guide me to the whole truth. Amen

[1] Eastman, Dick, The Hour That Changes The World (Grand Michigan, Baker Books)

[2] Ibid. pg 16-17