A Test in Obedience – 31 Days

Head Covering / Prayer Room / Facing Giants

SUPPLIER HEAD COVERINGS

Click here to start at the beginning

Once I had reached the conclusion that I would like to begin wearing head coverings in obedience to scripture, I realised that I needed to find a reliable supplier of head coverings in South Africa and secondly I needed to learn how to fold and wear the scarves and head coverings. I found several but below are my favourites.

My search for a supplier led me Carrie at Jenna Faith Boutique – Like Her Page on Facebook. 

Within half an hour after contacting her, she had organised what I had requested and was ready to assist me. So if you are in South Africa please feel free to contact her for all your head covering needs.

I was looking for something to keep my own hair covered and in control that would also serve as a base colour to compliment to scarf I wanted to wear. Below are some of her suggestions. Beautiful! I want them all!!!

My second problem was I didn’t really have much of an idea how to tie and wear the scarves. Wrapunzel turned out to be an excellent source with actual video tutorials on the how to, (how awesome if that?) and I can testify that Andrea does tie the most spectacular scarves and teaches in a beautiful and humble manner that does not intimidate the newbie in any way. Like Wrapunzel on Face Book.

Enjoy your head coverings. I know I am going to have fun and feel very regal (just like a princess) with my new scarves.

*Hugs* till next time.

Ariéte

A Test in Obedience – 31 Days

Head Covering / Prayer Room / Facing Giants

Day 29: RESOURCES

Click here to start at the beginning

Although this challenge started out as a quest to find out whether there is a difference when praying with a head covering versus without one, it turned out to be so much more.  I have purposely prayed since I was nine years old but this prayer experience has enriched my prayer life in ways that I could never have predicted. 

Likewise, the attacks on my personal character, marriage, pets and loved ones were also quite unforeseeable and unexpected.

However, thankfully these attacks only served to press me deeper into this challenge, rather than to deter me. Once I had committed to the challenge, I was determined to see it through no matter what. After all, how long could thirty-one days really be? Now as I reach the end, I am thankful that I did continue and press in.

While pursuing this challenge and pressing into God, I discovered how to pray individually and purposely for each individual person I had placed on my prayer wall (so far only immediate family members and siblings etc.); but I know that I can add friends, acquaintances and anyone I feel encouraged to pray for. Now that I have name cards for every person, I no longer need to fear forgetting to pray for someone and I can easily add anything to my lists as I go.

I believe that as Nehemiah secured the resources he would need in order to be successful in building the wall around Jerusalem, so too does my wall “chart, name cards and notes provide me with the necessary resources. I have learned a valuable lesson in having practice resources at hand.

Last night while I was praying for the individual people on my name cards, laying my hands on their name cards and interceding for them, the Lord showed me that these people, represented different communities dispersed throughout the country. He impressed on me the need to pray for these specific communities in order to widen the blessing and covering around my loved ones and in this manner spiritually bless and intercede for these communities.

I started out with only a yearly devotional which I carry around with me on a daily basis, and record my prayers for my immediate family.  (For many years I have personalized my devotional, with pictures, prayers and notes). Now I have an entire wall, covered with names and scriptures to assist me in my prayers.

Spiritual Lesson:

Prayer is very much a spiritual discipline; however this does not mean that we cannot use practical resources to assist us. My prayer life has advanced in leaps and bounds since I discovered this little truth.

Physical Lesson:

I have decided that in order to press into this new method of praying and interceding for my family, I will need to create a permanent private space in order to be able to close the door and pray uninterrupted, regardless of the activities around the house. Presently, I am on my own and interruption is not an issue, but when I am reconciled to my family, and the normal household rhythms continue, my prayer life will be interrupted, if I don’t plan ahead and create this space.

Resources:

Bible

Pens / Markers

Yearly Devotional

Wall Charts

Name Cards

Head Scarf

(Prayer can be a lot more than a few minutes of whispered blessings and requests)

 – I usually started on my knees but have found myself kneeling, pacing, raising my hands, touching the name cards, and sometimes even pressing my forehead against the wall when pleading with God for breakthrough for someone or something.

Prayer:

Precious Jesus, thank you for all the blessed gifts of abundance bestowed on us by your grace and mercy towards us. Raise us up as prayer warriors, effective and ready at a moment’s notice to intercede and pray.

In Jesus Name we pray…Amen!!!

*Hugs* till next time.

Ariéte

A Test in Obedience – 31 Days

Head Covering / Prayer Room / Facing Giants

Day 24 - 26: 

VISION – EYES TO SEE

LOGISTICS

Click here to start at the beginning

This weekend arrived and I found that once again I have plenty of time to reflect, read and pray about the circumstances and challenge. What a contrast to the beginning of this challenge when I could barely find the time to think, far less study and take notes.   

I found myself reading the story of Nehemiah and I realized again that he didn’t just decide to go and rebuild the wall surrounding the City of Jerusalem but he reflected and took all the logistics into consideration. Only when he was certain that he had covered all the possible angles, did he commence with the actual building. So too, must I as a prayer warrior, intercessor for loved one and friends have to look at the logistics and enter my prayer “chamber” armed and prepared.

So I started here:

1.    Confessed my dependence on Him.

Nehemiah 1:4 “… and I was fasting and praying [constantly] before the God of heaven. ⁵ And I said, “Please, O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps the covenant and loving kindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,” (AMP) Emphasis my own.

2.    Express regret for not listening.

Nehemiah 1:7 “ We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses.” (AMP) Emphasis my own.

3.    Consider who I want to cover in prayer and why? (See diagrams)

Nehemiah 2:13 “ So I went out at night by the Valley Gate toward the Dragon’s Well and to the Refuse Gate and inspected the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were consumed by fire. ¹⁴ Then I passed over to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no place for the animal that I was riding to pass.¹⁵ So I went up at night by the ravine [of Kidron] and inspected the wall; then I turned back and entered [the city] by the Valley Gate, and returned.” (AMP) Emphasis my own.

Spiritual Lesson:

If I want to be an effective prayer warrior in the Kingdom of God, I can’t continue as before. I need to take the time to strategize a little. I have said my quick “Oh Lord” prayers in an emergency or crises, and they are certainly valid; however, when I enter my prayer chamber, I must be more organized. Being a visual person, I made myself the following mind map… (in order to inspect my “wall”)

Physical Lesson:

I am now stronger and although I’m not physically fit (I confess I don’t like exercise) I am certainly spiritually fitter than before I started this challenge. I am excited about what I am learning and my head covering is now not only a pretty regal scarf, but also a war helmet, reminding me of who I am in Jesus and under Whose command I submit to. I believe the unseen world sees this in the same manner (possibly even more than I presently understand).

The above mentioned mind maps now have a place in my bible and on my wall so that I can begin to pray with more structure and purpose.

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for leading us ever go gently from broken places to places of strength and purpose. Please forgive us for failing to Hear You when You have spoken and forgive us for sinning against You when we have failed to comply with Your commandments.

In Jesus Name we pray…Amen!!!

*Hugs* till next time.

Ariéte

A Test in Obedience – 31 Days

Head Covering / Prayer Room / Facing Giants

Day 23: WISDOM TO GROW

Click here to start at the beginning

Anything we do in life requires a certain amount of wisdom, so too when we choose to become effective prayer warriors. Although, prayer is the easiest thing to do, as it is simply speaking to God directly, when we mature in our spiritual walk, we should seek to grow in wisdom in order to glorify God, especially in our prayers, as we approach Him.

Naturally the best place to start obtaining this wisdom is with God Himself.

Proverbs 9:10 “The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.” (AMP)

In order to acquire the wisdom we seek in order to intercede for our loved ones and stand in the gap when required we need a pure form of wisdom, without bias, prejudice or even preference. This is very difficult for us to attain ourselves; but with God’s help it is possible. Since I have started this prayer challenge, I have found myself praying earnestly for some people that I have to admit “I don’t really like” and in some extreme cases would call my enemies. I can hide fact this from others, by avoiding them or discussions about these people, but I can’t hide this from God. Yet, despite this He has gently led me straight into intercession for them.

James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].”( AMP)

I have also realized that in order to press into this goal, I can make as many notes and plans as I like, but unless God is involved in the process, they are just notes…When He is involved there is always revelation and wisdom is accumulated.

Proverbs 19:21 “Many plans are in a man’s mind,
But it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out)

Spiritual Lesson:

I have a pressing desire not only to pray effectively for my loved ones, but to press into this prayer challenge and become a true prayer warrior, as many greats who have gone before. Since the beginning I have experienced a steady growth in wisdom and understanding in my prayer life. Solomon dared to ask God for wisdom and his request was granted, as it pleased God. So to, dare I ask for Godly Wisdom.

Physical Lesson:

My prayer covering is now part of my prayer “kit”, and is stored with my Journals, pens and Bible. I have no idea why it took so long for me to submit to the challenge and why it took so much thought. The resistance alone should have been an indication for me that there is more to the head covering than I realize. I am completely persuaded that as I cover my head, fold my scarves in pretty knots and submit to God, that the seen and unseen worlds, acknowledge that I am in submission to Gods order, as described in scripture.  This alone makes me feel like, a feminine-warrior and royal-daughter to the King of Kings and therefore completely safe in His authority and company.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for the wisdom that You freely bestow on those who ask. Just as Solomon asked for wisdom in order to rule over Israel justly, so too do we ask for wisdom, in order to take our places and serve in the Kingdom of God effectively and to Your Glory.

In Jesus Name we pray…Amen!!!

*Hugs* till next time.

Ariéte

A Test in Obedience – 31 Days

Head Covering / Prayer Room / Facing Giants

Day 22 : BENDING MY WILL

Click Here to start at the beginning

After I considered my motivation when I pray, I discovered that instead of using prayer as a tool to manipulate the spirit realm (even when done in ignorance) , it should rather be a tool that God uses in order to bend my will to His Will.

So instead of coming to Him with my prayer list, all memorized and really mostly asking for provision and protection for loved ones etc., I should rather learn to approach Him with an ear to “Hear”. After all God does know best. He knows where I have been, where I am and more importantly He knows what I still have to face. He knows of the needs and attacks that are occurring everywhere and He knows exactly what and whom needs intercession.

It therefore stands to reason that when I submit to Him in obedience; my time would be better spent permitting Him to bend my stubborn will to His.

The enemy has a way of throwing things our way that can disrupt the steady flow of our existence. These things distract us and have the potential to derail our lives or at the very least to cause us to pause and retreat for a time. 

(In some cases I have retreated for years at a time).

There is nothing wrong with praying and asking for provision and protection, but it’s pointless when we are praying blindly, instead of focused in the direction we are prompted to by Holy Spirit. How much more effective would our prayer lives be if we were praying in agreement with Holy Spirit, as He guides and directs, instead of rambling off a set of predetermined requests.

Mark 4:24 “ Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides.” (AMP) Emphasis my own

Isn’t this precisely what we really need in this hour and time in which we live? I know that I certainly need this ability. The world is literally falling apart, evil is rampant and we are bombarded daily with more than we can assimilate and process. When we begin to pray, as sincere as we may be, it’s an overwhelming task, because quite frankly there is too much (need, pain, difficulty).

Spiritual Lesson :

I learnt that I need to permit God to bend my will to His. I must learn to stop my thoughts and really listen to His Voice, to guide me in effective prayer. As a female prayer warrior I truly desire to pray directly and strategically so that my prayers will be effective and make a difference to the lives of those I pray for.

Physical Lesson:

I have never wavered from wearing the head covering. It has become a real part of my prayer and quiet time and I am becoming more convinced that it is indeed the right thing to do and in line with Gods Will for me. I experience a true covering and anointing when my head is covered in prayer. It no longer distracts me, but rather redirects my focus to serious prayer.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you so much for Your Grace and Mercy and endless patience with us. Please draw us near and help us to submit to You completely so that we will echo what Jesus said at the Garden of Gethsemane, “not my will but Thy Will be done.”

In Jesus Name we pray…Amen!!!

*Hugs* till next time.

Ariéte

A Test in Obedience – 31 Days

Head Covering / Prayer Room / Facing Giants

Day 21 : DRIVEN OR CALLED

MOTIVATION

Click Here to start at the beginning

During my prayer time I was drawn to the question of my own personal motivation. Am I driven to succeed and accomplish a whole myriad of spiritual activities and disciplines, so I can line them up on the mantle-piece of my heart, and display them proudly, or am I called to simply pray earnestly and incompletely, simply meeting God in my need and humbly requesting His input in these things I bring to His attention?  

In other words!!!

Am I driven to pray or am I called to pray?

In both cases motivation is required, but the key lies in the type of motivation.

John 21:15 “[The Love Motivation] So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do—with total commitment and devotion]?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Feed My lambs.” (AMP) Emphasis my own

When I am driven to pray my focus falls on the need to pray well and perform more effectively. My motivation to adequately perform and be eloquent distracts me from “hearing”.

 When I am called to pray my focus falls on my Love for and obedience to Jesus.

The following question raised my eyebrows and I really had to think about it. “Do I use prayer to attempt to manipulate the spiritual realm to meet my own ends, like some magical formula, waving the name of Jesus around like a magic wand, or am I motivated by my love for Jesus to hear His commands and to perform that which He commands?

There is a fine line between the two and as a long standing Christian, I believe the tendency to slip from one to other is rather easy.

It appears that the giant I have to face in this regard is 

that of my own motivation.

Spiritual Lesson :

I learnt that I need to search my heart and question my motives when I bend my knees to pray. It’s very well, praying frequently and even wearing my head covering in obedience, but if I don’t consider my motivation then my prayers are pointless. In order to pray correctly and in line with God’s Word, my motivation must be selfless, rather to Hear His Will, than to manipulate the spirit realm or appease my conscience.

Physical Lesson:

During this 31 day challenge I have learnt several truths about myself, my prayer motivation and the purpose of the head covering. It’s been quite a sobering experience to date.

2 Corinthians 4:1-2 sums it up perfectly “Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t manoeuvre and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.”  (The Message)

Prayer:

Precious Jesus, Forgive us when we have incorrectly used Your Name while praying, in order to meet our own agendas and our own needs. Help us to discern our motivations when we pray and guide us towards Your Will…

In Jesus Name we pray…Amen!!!

*Hugs* till next time.

Ariéte

Modern Day Samaritan Woman

A Test in Obedience – 31 Days

Head Covering / Prayer Room / Facing Giants

Day 9 : RELUCTANT FORGIVENESS

Click Here to start at the beginning

Yesterday, Day 9, found me praying earlier than usual. An unexpected plea from my daughter, during the late afternoon,  to pray and intercede with her regarding her vehicle and finances had me grabbing for my prayer shawl earlier and kneeling down beside my bed. As mentioned in my previous post…We do not know what is in the balance AND what the cost is too our loved ones, when we are ill prepared and distracted!!! And we should be ready to pray and intercede instantly, at a moments notice…

However, having done so I discovered that despite being able to pray with her and for her, I couldn’t properly settle into my own prayer routine and continue with the challenge. I already knew what the problem was …Forgiveness!!! Or rather un-forgiveness’. I  was still angry about the fiasco with my dog the previous day and I really didn’t want to forgive…(As I type I am still struggling with it.), because to my way of thinking it’s akin to forgiving the attempted murderer of my beloved dog and condoning the negligence that had occurred.

Yes! I do know that none of that is actually true and I am very aware that in order to move on I must find forgiveness in my heart. Yet, this battle continues raging in my thoughts and heart. I am in effect my own enemy and I know that I have to have the matter resolved by tonight in order to move on.

Matthew 6:15 “But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.” AMP (Emphasis my own) 

Spiritual Lesson :

To be reluctant to forgive provides the enemy with plenty of leverage to hinder my prayers for loved ones. It interferes with my relationship with God and the worst part…He will not forgive me my trespasses…

Physical Lesson :

The practise of wearing the prayer shawl has become quite natural to me now; however to date I have done so in private only. (and on my blog :o)… My family are aware of it; but have never seen it…Perhaps it’s time to include them.

 Prayer:

Father, Forgive me for my un-forgiveness. Help me to truly submit to Your Will in this matter and let it go. I pray that You will guide me into the secret places of prayer and teach me to pray as I ought to…

In Jesus Name we pray…Amen!!!

*Hugs* till next time.

Ariéte