How to Plant Seeds of Prayer
How to Plant Seeds of Prayer Today
Last week I shared about my sweet Titus. He is a sweet soul, a middle child and a fierce fighter. The competitive nature, carefree wrestling, and contagious smile hid a deeper soul. It was 5:00 am when the crack of thunder woke us up. The sound of the rain, flashes of light, and that deep rumble, shook the window panes. I rolled over and sighed. I love thunderstorms.
My poor Titus usually wakes up crying. If a thunderstorm finds us during the day, he runs and hides right away. Sound has always been an issue with him. I try to explain how God created thunderstorms to help enrich the soil and even helps plants grow. He doesn’t by it. He hates the storm.
During our dark seasons we cover our ears and wait for the darkness to just pass. We wish for the difficult season to just be over. We wonder what can grow in this mess of a storm? In the dark is when we feel the most alone. When our hearts are hurting, we ask “why”. We know the Gardner is calling us trust Him, but how can we trust, surrounded by darkness?
Titus refuses to see in the dark. I’m much like him. I forget I don’t have to see in the dark. God does. God sees the tiny seeds we plant. Whether its with our children, or friends, or parents, we keep planting seeds. Seeds of goodness, love, and joy. And of the Gospel. I have a few family members who are not believers. It hurts my hear to know they suffer through this world without the hope or assurance of heaven.
So I pray for them. I plant seeds. I never thought of prayer as seeds, but they are. They move God to action. Examples of this are found throughout Scripture. Prayer can be a seed. A hidden, small thing, in the grand scheme of life. But no seed is wasted.
Do we believe that?
Seeds are planted in faith. Whether its the seeds in my garden, on my windowsill, or in the hearts of my family. Faith is required when we cover the seed with darkness. When I plant the seeds, I’m looking for immediate growth. And I’m foolish to think that. Patience and faith.
I Thessalonians 1:2 -4 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
Let me rest in the election of God. My faithful planting of seeds, daily showing up for my life, comes in the hope of my Lord Jesus Christ. Christ’s promises will let my heart continue to work in faith and labor in love.
Has God covered you with darkness during this season? Are the storms crackling around and threatening to wash away everything you work hard for? I know I have a hard time believing anything will grow in my season right now. I’m in the trenches in motherhood. I have five kids, nine and under, with a special need’s daughter and a two-year old with sensory issues.
“Be still and know I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Planting seeds can be hard work. We must bend over, get our hands dirty, and maybe even sweat a little. Once the seeds are planted, that’s it. Be still. The original Hebrew phrase “be still” can also be translated “stop striving.”
Three steps to planting seeds of prayer:
Stop struggling, rest.
Stop seeking, know.
Stop fighting, find peace in knowing God.
I’ll keep planting seeds. Life will not always be as it is today. Change will come. Harvest is on the horizon. I need only keep planting seeds. I’ll keep my heart close to God. In the middle of the thunderstorms, I’ll hug my seven-year-old, and remind myself of God’s arms around me too. I’ll be calm. when I’m aware of His presence.
A present and a “right now” help is what I need. Do you? Be still friend. When God has called you to plant seeds, get your hands dirty, but wash them off in truth and sit back. Rest in knowing God grows us in the dark.
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I never thought about prayer as planting seeds. I like that. Thank you for sharing.