Footsteps of Faith

Footsteps of Faith
Author: Grace Hill, Outreach & Foster WV Coordinator
When We Pray - Part 1
About a month ago, I decided to prioritize things that were good for my soul. On a whim, I signed up for a half marathon. After high school, I really enjoyed running, not only for the physical benefits but also the mental benefits. I had taken some time away from it over the past two years. And, if I’m being honest, my relationship with the Lord has also been difficult over the last two years. I went through some very hard times, circumstantially and relationally. I didn’t feel like I had much left to give to anyone, especially God. Thanks to therapy and God’s grace, I am in a better place and can see how God has had His hand in all of it.
 
Training for this half marathon has taught me a lot about my prayer life and my relationship with God. When it comes to running, I feel like I have full access to God. It is just the Lord and me. There aren’t many times anymore when I feel like I am away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Running truly quiets my soul and forces me to press into the quiet. Running has given me an opportunity to be authentically myself. When I am away from everyday demands, it allows me to be real in my conversations with God. The long runs provide solitude and quiet moments where I can talk to God and simply be open to hearing what He has for me without worldly noise. God is good and worthy of our trust.
“He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” 
- Psalm 23:3 
Training for a half marathon happens one step at a time. I’ve had to work through sore muscles, shin splints, tired lungs, eating and drinking adjustments, and more. I’ve had to learn how to listen to my body and alter how I train. The same is true for my walk with Christ. I can’t just skip past the hard stuff. I have to prioritize it, taking things one step at a time—working through the pains and hurdles. God has used my training to remind me to slow down, listen to Him, and not rush what He has for me.

Just as the runner trains to excel, your consistency in prayer shapes your spirit, strengthens your faith, and brings you closer to the heart of Jesus.

Like running, prayer is a discipline that takes repeated practice. I have noticed that the longer I go without praying, the harder it is to get back into that practice. I can fill that space with so many other activities: scrolling endlessly on my phone, worrying about the future, watching tv, just to name a few. The same goes for running—the longer I am away from it, the harder it is to get back into shape. 

Just as the runner trains to excel, your consistency in prayer shapes your spirit, strengthens your faith, and brings you closer to the heart of Jesus. These endeavors require dedication, self-reflection, perseverance, and the willingness to go beyond your comfort zone to reach your full potential. How can you push yourself out of your comfort zone to strengthen your prayer life?

Recent

Archive

 2023

Categories

Tags

1 Timothy 4:3-4 1 corinthians 13 3 tips Barb Bible Christ centered friendships Christ-centered friendships Christ Control David Deuteronomy 31:8 Elijah Gideon God's Word God's faithfulness God's will God\'s Word God\'s will God\\\'s will God\\\\\\\'s will Gods Word Gods voice Gods will God Good Samaritan Isaiah 41 James 1:22 James 4:14 Jesus is coming Jesus Jonathan Live at Peace Matthew 26:38-39 Philippians 2 Psalms Romans 6:9 Scripture Significant Others Talented Word of God You Say a mother's prayer a mother\'s prayer a mothers prayer abandon abby conner acts 1:8 acts 2:42-47 acts adam etris adam adulteror advent andrew archer andrew angels sing anger anguish anxiety apostles appreciation archer arch are you prepared art of neighboring attributes austin michels austin authorities authority baptism barabbas barb barnhart barnhart be a friend be still be strong and courageous beauty from ashes becoming fearless betrayal better neighbors better be brandy gibson brandy bruce lane bruce cancel culture cancel care carols celebrate others christianity christian christmas church defined church design church circles clinging to jesus colossians 1:13 community compassion concentric circles conflict connection courage created for community crisis in israel cross crowd cultivate the soil daughter death debt delaney deuteronomy 31:6 devotional devotion discernment do not fear doers don't panic don\'t panic do early church easter elderly empathy encouragement end times ephesians 3:14-23 ephesians5:21 eternal impact eternal life eternal security eternity etris exhausted extended family face to face faithful in the small things faithfulness faith family famous last words father fear less series fear less fearless fear forgiveness forgiven forgive forgiving forsaken foundation four tips free from sin freedom freely given free friendships friendship friends friend garden of gethsemane generosity generous get ready gibson gifts give thanks gloria good works gospel government grace and truth grace hill grace grateful gratitude great commission greed grief grieve with others groups haring he has come he will be called heart heaven hell helping hill holy week homecoming hope huggins ian young ian identity immovable in all things in christ inspired invitation israel jamie huggins jamie jill wargo jill john 8:1-11 john 8:10-11 john josh rhodes josh joy judas judgemental judgement judge katie lemley katie key relationships kim sheets kim kingdom of heaven kinsman redeemer lane last supper legacy lemley light of the world light listening live generously logos love one another love loyalty luke 10:42 luke 23:34 made new marriage martha matthew 22:37-39 matthew 23:24 matthew 6:3-4 mediator melissa parker melissa mercy michelle lemley michelle trimmer michelle michels money neighbor new family new year new o holy night overcome evil with good parables parable parenting parents parent parker peacemaker peace people of god people persistence philippians 4:6-7 philippians point of church point possessions power of the past pray like paul prayer life prayer plan prayer pray prepare promises of God provision purpose quality time race read reconciliation recreated redeemed redeemer rejoice relationship with God relationships relationship religion religious leaders remember response resurrection retaliation return revenge rhodes riches roger sealey roger role model romans 12:12 romans 12:15 romans rules salvation sealey second coming secure selfish separation sermon on the mount serve Jesus serve others serve serving others serving set free shame share the gospel share the truth sharing the good news sheep and goats sheets signs sing sin social media sower speak spiritual gifts spiritual leaders spiritual relationships stand firm still strained straining out gnats and swallowing camels strength submit support take time talents thankfulness thanksgiving thanks the dishonest manager the good samaritan the lost coin the lost sheep the lost son the parables of jesus the persistent widow the plot the point of church the primary purpose of the church the prodigal son the purpose of the church the rich fool the sheep and goats the sower the talents the ten virgins the two foundations the wedding banquet the word of God the word through thick and thin throught thick and thin tim haring tim treasure tribulation triggered trimmer truthiness truth two foundations two lies and the truth ukraine unbelievers uncertainty unclean victorious victory volunteer wargo wealth wedding feast weep what's the point? what\'s the point? what\\\'s the point? what\\\\\\\'s the point? what\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s the point? whats the point whatsthepoint when we pray who am i who i am who we are work worry wronged you are forgiven young