I Prayed have prayed
ather help us bear Your image well. Help us to sing praises to You in the midst of the storm. Help us to pray in Your will and to help those who cannot see to see You in us and know us by our love which comes only from You.
Reading Time: 6 minutes

This Sunday I traveled through London on my way home from visiting my husband who lives in Scotland. Because he is in the process of immigration to the United States, he is unable to travel to see me so I travel to Scotland. We were grateful for this opportunity to visit each other in spite of the things happening in the world. We are grateful that the Lord continues to make a way for us to be together even though there are times when we have to be apart.

The trip over was smooth. The trip home was another story. Our world changed a lot in two weeks with Brexit and the incident at the Capitol. Traveling through Heathrow was difficult because of new travel restrictions imposed as a result of the UK strain of the virus. My ability to board my flight home was temporarily blocked due to the airline’s interpretation of those travel orders.

I was angry, tired, and sad leaving my sweet husband to head back home. Their refusal to give me a boarding ticket was extremely frustrating and there seemed to be no quick resolution. Having been in positions like this before, although I was rattled, and furious, I stopped and apologized and left the decision to the Lord. I prayed, confessing that I didn’t know what He wanted: “If I am supposed to go back to Glasgow then please help me get to Glasgow. If I am supposed to go back to the U.S., then would You please figure that out for me.”

Leaving big and small decisions up to the Lord can be hard to do sometimes but only He can see what the future holds. When we start to feel these adversarial issues come against us, we need to pause, ask what is happening, and allow it be a training opportunity.

A few minutes later after turning it over, the way opened back up and I had my boarding pass in hand.

I was still angry though at the injustice of the whole thing – even though I kept apologizing to Him for it. The Israelites repeatedly got into trouble when they were being tested and then complained. I know this. But it just kept going through my mind like a missile.

As I travel, I pray and ask Him what He would like me to pray or sing over areas where I am. I always prefer to pray God’s Word, which will go forth and accomplish things we cannot imagine. We are to clean up the world. No better way to do that than to read His Word over it.

So, still mad once I got to the gate, I told the Lord that if He wanted me to go “scorched earth” on London after the injustices I had witnessed, I was His girl for the job.

With sweet discipline, He said look up the word “scorch” in Hebrew, which is kavah. It appears in Isaiah 43. I was so flustered I didn’t even remember what Isaiah 43 was about but flipped to it and started reading it aloud in Hebrew. As I moved through it, I was broken. I was sobbing even as my blood pressure returned to normal.

As I prayed it aloud, I was reminded that Yeshua is not only our Savior–He is the Savior of the whole world – even people who don’t want a Savior, even people who are mean and ugly to others, even people who have succumbed to the quickly moving, unjust changes being implemented in our world under the guise of peace and safety.

I encourage you to pray Isaiah 43 today yourself. I encourage you to pray this with me over our own country. Our job is to help set people free, especially those who don’t realize they are entangled in a web of lies. Our job is to tread on snakes, scorpions, and overcome all the power of the enemy.

But as we do it, we can’t act like the enemy or use his playbook. We aren’t to call down asteroids and scorch the earth. We are to operate in mercy like our Father. We aren’t to set people ablaze with our eyeballs or be curt with them when we are frustrated. Love is not rude. Our Father is love. We are to represent Him and bear His image well.

We are called to clothe the naked—those who aren’t covered in righteousness. We are to feed the hungry—those who are spiritually malnourished. We are to give a drink of living water to those who thirst—those who are spiritually thirsty.

We are to help heal the spiritually blind and lame so that they can see the beauty of God at work in this world and walk unobstructed in righteous paths.

Yeshua told us to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us. Yet with increasing incidence I see and hear people praying without love—a love that has grown cold due to fear of what is coming or because they don’t believe they are worthy of experiencing judgments that will come regardless of who is sitting in the Presidential office.

Declaring and decreeing God’s Word is powerful and good. But declaring and decreeing things that are outside the will of God is practicing witchcraft. We are to follow Yeshua’s example and work where we see the Father working. We pray the will of the Holy Spirit.

This means that especially in the heat of battle we must pause to ask what is His will. On Sunday in London,  His will was to bless the people who had done everything in their power to push all my buttons. My reaction to it was inappropriate. I’m sharing it today so we can all learn together.

Back to praying Isaiah 43.

Yahweh you have told us to fear not because you have redeemed us and we are yours. You have called us out by name and we are Yours. You promise that when, not if, but when we pass through the waters, go through rivers, or walk through fire we will not be drowned or scorched because you will be with us in our trials. You tell us this because you are Yahweh our Elohim, the Holy One of Israel, our only Savior. You give Egypt as a ransom for us and Cush and Seba in our place. We are precious and honored in Your sight because You love us.

You will bring us all back from afar – all those called by Your name and created for Your glory. You will bring out people who have eyes but are blind and ears but are deaf. You will assemble us together in Your timing. You will vindicate us and we will be Your witnesses here on the earth. You alone decree, save and proclaim. Foreign gods can do nothing.

None can be delivered out of Your hand. When You act, no one can reverse it. You make a way through the sea. You tell us not to remember the former things and to pay no attention to the things of old because you are doing a new thing. You ask if we can even perceive what You’re doing and promise to make a way for us again in the wilderness. You declare that even the beasts of the fields will honor You and the people you have formed for Yourself will declare Your praise.

So Father help us bear Your image well. Help us to sing praises to You in the midst of the storm. Help us to pray in Your will and to help those who cannot see to see You in us and know us by our love which comes only from You. Thank you for the infilling and outpouring of Your Holy Spirit to help us be angry and not sin when we experience injustice as we operate in this world. We know you understand because we know You experienced this yourself.

Help Your people to repent. Help us to use this time to really inspect our souls. Help us to identify that what we see in others only reflects the logs in our own eyes that must be removed and set on fire, burned up in Your refinement of our character.

I encourage you to learn this song by my friend Solomon Lopez which is founded on Isaiah 43. When we sing Yahweh’s Word is more indelibly written on our hearts so that we can recall it when we need it.

Al tirah li attah. Fear not. You are mine.

You are His. Act like it. Act like Him.

(Photo Credit: Unsplash.)

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Mary Charles Bentley
January 25, 2021

Thank you! Isa.43 is one of my Favorite Verses ⚓️

Linda Livingston
January 21, 2021

Thank you for this App! As I worshiped with the Lord this morning, I have rededicated my life to Him who is the Lord of my life, my God a savior my sweet precious Savior who has saved me. I will walk in newness of life!! choose choose joy and I am not going to fear. Isaiah 43💕

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Mary
January 19, 2021

Thank you for the blood, dear Jesus!! Truly, it is our hope and crown–we are not our own, as we have been bought with a high price!! Your many promises give us hope and strength. When discouragement comes upon me, I will not be discouraged–You are the King of Glory and You are working out Your plan in these last days. I will trust fully in You. Help me, Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, gird up Your people in truth and obedience to God and speak to our heart’s what You would have us do next. But first, we must Be still and Know that You are God. We want to hear Your voice. Praises to the King!! Amen

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Lee
January 18, 2021

That was just what I needed to be reminded of. Thank you for your honesty and detailed descriptions.
God bless you!

2
KAREN FIMPLE
January 18, 2021

The message is poignant and tender and though we may know His Word as this message indicates the path we must follow has some bumps in the road. I enjoyed the music and the words of the song “You Are Mine”.

1
marilyn
January 18, 2021

Loved the post and Love this scripture/song.thank you. I hope this worshiper is still recording songs. Beautiful spirit and voice!

4
Lane
January 18, 2021

Thank you so much for sharing. Yes, we must remember as Christians we represent our Savior. I pray God will help me remember that when seasons are difficult.

2
Sharon Myers
January 18, 2021

Thank you for the testimony and song. I was just falsely accused of an offense by close friends. God had already told me I would minister to people who are in shame from the religious system. He let me see what that felt like and I wanted to run away. I will stand in the blood of Jesus and confront the religious spirits head on. Thank You, Jesus, for what You endured on my behalf. I love You.

2
Jan Andresen
January 17, 2021

This morning I woke up feeling distanced from God. Then he quietly said to me, “it doesn’t matter how you feel I am still here with you.”
Then the phrase from a song came to me “I am my beloved’s and he is mine!”
We can’t go by our feelings we must trust him and realize he’s there with us even if we don’t always “feel” that closeness. Then I got up snd read this article and it confirmed all that had transpired this morning! He is with us!

14
Marcia
January 17, 2021

The song brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for reminding me in such a powerful way that I am His!

9
Patricia Gilmore
January 17, 2021

AMEN!

7
Mary Smith
January 17, 2021

Wow thank you for sharing the message and your comforting song.

8
Kathy Burke
January 16, 2021

Abba. You fill us with your Love. May we continue to always let your Love flow from us as you work to draw all to your saving grace.
I believe you are always present.
Jesus alone is faithful and true to bring us into the Father’s glorious presence with out Fear. thank you. Amen and Amen

24
Luanne
January 16, 2021

Thank you, Shelley, for this word. So timely for me. A great now word. Bless you!

15
Mary Elda Arrington
January 16, 2021

Really cuts at the core of the heart. Thank you.
i want to remember about praying/singing the Word over the areas where you’re traveling. Isaiah 43 is a favorite. I appreciated your paraphrase and the music.

13
Nancy Bryda
January 16, 2021

I bind the spirits of death and polarization tring to effect the people in America. I repent for at times partnering with polarization and the spirit of division, hatred, and self righteous oh yes and pride. Help us to pray from the third heaven and partner with your direction LOrd. Help us to be third heaven sharpshooters of your word to the Earth. Help us to go up Jacob’s ladder, the stairway to heaven by which the angels and the ecclesia come and go for your destiny purposes.I bind spiritual wichcraft praying out of our own minds rather than praying the mind of Christ and I repent for the times I have fallen into this deception. Jesus is Lord over America and I decree the ekklesia is maturing and being refined in the heavenly fire for your majestic purposes Lord. I decree we are tenacious and will never give up on serving you and fighting as your direct for your destiny purposes. We are citizens of heaven and owe our allegiance to only you and you alone.

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Adriana F Silveira
January 16, 2021

Yes, The Lord gave me Passage Isaiah 43 back in 02/2020 before Covid 19 broke here in California. SO I was not afraid a bit, well maybe a little tiny bit. I even painted a very large painting of my daughter and I with high waters by our neck but not covering us up. I can send you a picture if you like
He was faithful!!!! I am a single mom, business owner, my business payed all rents, both my house and business, my car payments, He is faithful. We didn’t have Covid 19. We actually went to the beach a lot, and had good time together, just text me and I will send paintings image to you:6194538813

16
lois ann mader
January 16, 2021

yes Praise to Our Lord God Most High is the answer to honor Him and Lift our Spirits!! thank you for gifting us with Praise.

18
Linda Rice
January 16, 2021

A couple weeks ago I was crabby so I asked the Lord why. He said for the same reason Peter drew his sword. “You’re trying to defend Me.” LOL. He was right.

26
Sunny
January 16, 2021

Thank you, my sister in Christ! Your words made me laugh and cry as I recognized myself. We must not separate ourselves from the love of Christ when we face the world and its challenges. Far too often, we (I) let the circumstances crowd out the fact that I am the daughter of the King and that the battle is His and I am to rest in that and show love where there is hate, peace where there is turmoil. I can relax knowing that my Abba has got this! All of it! Praise the Lord. My sincerest blessings to you, Shelley, and I pray you will be able to reunite with your husband soon. Oh, and thank you for the beautiful song! ☺️

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Rev. Ronald Roland
January 16, 2021

Please translate “Al tirah li attah” for us deplorables. “Al” has a very uncomfortable ring to it, being an abbreviation of AL-lah or Ba-AL. All the English translations of the divine singular in the Bible, that I know of, are “El”
Thank you

9
D
January 16, 2021

If you love ME..feed MY sheep

15
Julia Strickler
January 16, 2021

Thank you for a beautiful God filled lesson.

23
Danielle Hidalgo
January 16, 2021

Thank you, brilliantly written Transparency 🙂
So full of truth, so just like me! God Bless you and yes, our job is to represent who our Savior is accurately.
I’m sending you love and hugs.

20
Rhonda
January 16, 2021

Bravo! Thank you!

13
Donna
January 16, 2021

Love this article and prayer. I’ve never thought about Jesus’ words to clothe the naked, feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty in a spiritual way but it makes so much sense.

38
Barbara Lambert
January 16, 2021

This is awesome. It’s a great word for right now.

25
Steve Kobernik
January 16, 2021

So beautiful, practical, and encouraging.
Thank you!

26
Lynn Harvey
January 16, 2021

Isaiah 41:10
10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

People of God Do Not Fear, Fear brings harm and hate; nothing good comes of it. Lets Trust in what Our Lord said. He have revealed himself to us by His Love. Trust in The Lord with all our Hearts. Let’s Stand on the Truth of the Bible, not interpretation, but the Revelation. God gives Wisdom through Insight and understanding. I trust God Always.
Let’s Pray for each other with Love, Love cast out Fear.
Pray for me and my family.
Thank you

42
Sue C.
January 16, 2021

Wonderful reminder! When I shop at the local big box store, I consider the variety of people I see. Many are rushed, dressed alternatively or provocatively, unkempt, angry, and more. Yet each time I remind myself that these are Father’s children, too. He created each one specifically and with love. Perhaps how the world (and perhaps themselves) sees them is because they do not understand the love and purpose Father has for them.
I am convicted to pray more for each person that I see – to make sure that I am being the hands and feet of Jesus wherever I go. Because, you see, I fail at times, too!
Make the Holy Spirit continually invade our thoughts to give us wisdom and boldness to reach ALL people!

51
Judith
January 16, 2021

Amen! Amen!
Come in, Lord Jesus!

“But far be it for me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14

35
Glenn R. Freeman
January 16, 2021

Thank you Shelley for this reminder. (weeping) My own pride and arrogance often gets in the way too.
I so often forget by what Spirit I am created, sustained and led by. He is ever faithful and merciful and kind to me, an example I desperately need to exhibit. We are to “hold out the Word of life to a dead and dying generation” just as He did. It is an enormous impossible task in our own efforts. But – thanks be to God for His indescribable gift, that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. We must continue to lay down our lives for the sake of Him who did so unwaveringly for us, and gave His all sacrificially. Nothing less.

Lord, you are able to do more than we can think, ask or imagine. Praise be to You, O Lord most high.

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