Determined to Dance Podcast

Welcome to season 2 of the Determined to Dance podcast. I pray that you’ll be uplifted, encouraged, and will move forward each and every day. Today’s episode, Prayerful Situations: Death, focuses on praying for the dying and those left behind.

Show Notes: Prayerful Situations: Death

Death. The last topic in my Prayerful Situations series. We’ve looked at how to pray when it comes to:

Natural disasters

Money problems

Sin

War

Illness

Pain

And now one of the most difficult subjects for people to discuss.

Death or dying.

Most people, including myself, don’t like to think of the end of life for ourselves or others. But the truth is we start dying the day we are born. Job 14: 1-2 says, “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; he flees like a shadow and does not continue.”

Job dealt with tragedy himself and understood the brevity of life. If not for the promises of heaven and eternity, it would be easy to live depressed and fearful. But our dance with God continues when we step into eternity. John 14:1-3 says:

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” NLT

Jesus has prepared a home for us. God is ever-present here on earth. How do we pray for others when it comes to taking that last step? And how can we intercede for those left behind?

Many times, I’ve prayed for people who were in their last days while I was at home or in church. Even in my car. It’s essential for Christians to lift up people to God for healing. We can’t know if it is that person’s time, so we pray in faith for restoration, knowing that whether they have more time on earth or step into eternity and God’s presence, they are healed.

What do we need to consider when praying for the dying? I asked Roger Boswell, the pastor of The Bridge Church where I attend, for his thoughts. He gave me three.

Tie in God’s will. Our days on earth are numbered and only God knows each person’s needs for our time here. The Bible verse that brought me comfort when my father passed away suddenly at the age of 53 was Isaiah 57: 1-2: “The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”

Be merciful and kind. If you’re praying aloud, give thanks for their life. Remind them that God is near and pray for their soul to be calmed. Let the person know they are greatly loved.

Pray for less pain and suffering. Not only in the physical but near the end of life some people struggle with regrets, shame, or guilt. Pray for peace and the ability to release the past and trust God with the final part of life’s journey.

What do we do if we’re not sure the person knows Jesus and heaven is their destination? First, let them know they are not alone. God and their friends and family will be with them to the end. If they are conscious, you can then ask them in a kind and gentle way.

If they seem unconscious, they may still be aware and hear you. Either way, the example of the thief on the cross with Jesus gives us hope that even at the end, anyone can change and be with Him. I found this prayer on Christianity.com for those near death:

“Lord Jesus, come into my life. I believe you died and rose from the grave. I believe you live eternally in heaven. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Forgive me of all my sins. Move into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior. Thank you for your sacrifice. I accept your gift of eternal salvation. Amen.”

Twice, I have prayed for dying people on the scene. The first time, the only prayer I had was for the family and the long days that lay ahead. I’d started to pray for healing but felt a distinct “whisper” inwardly that it was their time.

The second time, I’d gone to a friend’s house and the family met me at the door. They asked me to pray with her for she was fearful. As I held her hand, I sought God quietly for the right words. Instantly, Genesis 1 came to mind, the part where the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. I asked God to hover over my friend and give her peace. It was the only prayer I had. She calmed and fell asleep. I have never felt less adequate but God gave peace and comfort to us both as I prayed.

Both times, God met me where I was and gave me direction and wisdom when it came to praying. He’ll absolutely do the same for you, if and when that time comes. Just lift up your inadequacies to God and He will make a way.

What about those left behind? I experienced family and friends who’ve died unexpectedly and those who lingered for weeks and months. Basic prayers for both situations include:

Peace in the midst of the shock. People can be disoriented or numb and we can pray for the ability to receive comfort, hope, rest, and sleep.

Wisdom in decision-making. Hurried choices often accompany death and we can pray for peace and God-sent help while deciding what to do.

Strength and ability to grieve. I tend to bottle my grief which is harmful to the body and soul. Pray for a safe place and the freedom to cry, be angry, or any other emotion that needs to be released.

I feel this barely covers such a difficult topic but the main thing is to start praying. As you lift up these basic needs, God will give you specific and personal words and ways to comfort those grieving a loss.

Remember this: there is always hope. I’ve witnessed people near death recover and others make Jesus their Lord and Savior before they passed. Dancing with God during loss is possible when we stay close to the One who loves us more than we can comprehend. Let’s pray: Father God, the thought of death can be scary. We long to be with You yet we have family and friends who depend on us or that we depend on. Thank you that Jesus crossed that bridge already and made a way for us to live in heaven. Comfort and give peace to those who’ve lost loved ones. Be a very present help for the dying. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

Dying and death are not easy, but God is near and heaven is real. Next week, we’ll start a new series about daily prayers. Until then, stay determined to dance.

You can find downloadable printable resources for this series at jenniferhallmark.com.

Click to tweet: Today’s episode on the Determined to Dance podcast, Prayerful Situations: Death, focuses on praying for the dying and those left behind. #christianpodcast #prayer

Printable Resource of Prayerful Situations: Death

Links:

7 Prayers for the Dying-Pray for Those Near Death

My website

My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope

Determined to Dance Podcast

Remember: Prayerful Situations: Death

Video of the week:

I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.

https://youtu.be/zbsBUf9VKyc

Welcome to season 2 of the Determined to Dance podcast. I pray that you’ll be uplifted, encouraged, and will move forward each and every day. Today’s episode, Prayerful Situations: Pain, focuses on different types of pain and how to deal with them through prayer.

Show Notes: Prayerful Situations: Pain

Suffering. Distress. Pain. Wow. I don’t know if anything messes with our emotions and mental health more than pain.

I experienced several types of pain last week. My husband and I were camping about an hour away from our home when urgent phone calls came from both children. My mother was having a heart episode and they were taking her to the hospital.

Instantly, emotional pain struck me with a hollow feeling inside, tears trying to form, and my mind racing as I had several decisions to make. We hurried to close up our campsite for the night and then work our way to the hospital. On arrival, I had to gather information and make decisions regarding care. I then spent an uncomfortable night in a chair, half-asleep at times, while they stabilized Mother’s heart rate and rhythm and made her comfortable. By morning, I’d experienced physical pain from the chair, emotional pain because she was my mother, mental pain from decision-making, and even spiritual pain as I felt hopeless at times to intercede.

Hurting, whether on the outside or inside, can break through our willpower and self-confidence quickly, like the demolition of a building. During times of hurting, we desperately need God.

We, humans, are subject to physical pain, mental pain, emotional pain, and spiritual pain like I experienced last week. Some studies link mental and emotional pain and explain them as one but I wanted to explore some different ideas.

Physical pain-Unpleasant bodily sensation causing mild to severe discomfort, usually caused by injury or disease. From a toothache to cancer, pain affects each person differently.

Mental pain- discomfort, dysfunction, or distress of the mind. Decision-making, mental tasks, and studying can bring on mental pain.

Emotional pain- pain or hurt that originates from non-physical sources. Divorce, death, or something as simple as an unkind word can produce emotional pain.

Spiritual pain-Pain within one’s spirit. For those who don’t know Jesus, the pain can be spiritual distress as in feeling lost, without direction, or a sense of emptiness. For those who know Him, the pain can come from unforgiveness, sin, or unanswered questions.

How do we pray when we’re in pain? Are there specific ways to intercede for our friends or loved ones or even total strangers when we see them suffering? The Bible shows people from Moses to Jeremiah to Jesus and Paul, constantly lifting up others in prayer. We’re encouraged to do the same. Here are some examples to aid you when you pray. As always, seek God and let Him lead you when you address specific situations and the people involved. (Including yourself)

For physical pain-Begin by asking for complete healing of the sick or injured person. I ask this every time, knowing that healing might occur here on earth or as one enters heaven, completely healed in an instant. We can pray for the specific area of the body affected and speak comfort and peace from God to flood over the person. Pray for strength and perseverance as the person heals and against anxiety, depression, and hopelessness.

For mental pain-We can start with a prayer for peace of mind, then ask for clarity and wisdom over any root cause of this pain, for forgiveness and release from any guilt or shame involved, and the ability to let go of whatever is out of our control. Also, for relaxation of the mind and the wisdom to allow the mind to rest. Many times, I add the ability to sleep because this can be difficult when we are in mental pain.

For emotional pain-In Psalms 34:18, God says He is near the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit. We can pray for the person to feel God’s presence and for the broken and crushed to be renewed and restored. Pray against loneliness and isolation that might attack a person when emotionally wounded. Pray for release from past pain that might try to be revived and attach itself to the new pain.

For spiritual pain-Pray for any who don’t know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to know Him and embrace salvation. And for people, songs, or spoken/written words to be placed in their path to point the way to Him. Pray that Christians will dig deep into the Word as they seek to forgive themselves or others, overcome sin, or understand the hard questions in life. Pray for an extra measure of hope and faith as people search for answers.

My mother spent two days in the hospital, received new medicine, and instructions on how to better live with A-fib. Recovery for her and myself from these different types of pain has varied and continues even today.

Pain will always be with us on the earth, though I believe it can be alleviated as we pray and seek God. Revelation 21:4 promises, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Let’s pray: Father God, the world is full of hurting people. Heal physical pain, minister to those with mental distress, comfort those whose emotions are shattered, and embrace those who search for understanding in their spirit. Lead us to speak Your words of peace and comfort over all who suffer. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

One day, pain will be no more. But until then, we can pray for and encourage others during their times of distress and suffering. Next time, we’ll look at death and ways to pray for the dying and those left behind.

Until then, stay determined to dance.

You can find downloadable printable resources for this series at jenniferhallmark.com here:

Natural Disasters

Money Problem

Sin

War

Illness

Pain

Death (next week)

Click to tweet: Today’s episode on the Determined to Dance #podcast is called Prayerful Situations: Pain. Hurting can break through our willpower and self-confidence quickly, like the demolition of a building. When hurting, we desperately need God. #tuesdaymotivation

Printable Resource of Prayerful Situations: Pain

Links:

My website

My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope

Determined to Dance Podcast

Remember: Prayerful Situations: Pain

Video of the week:

I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.

https://youtu.be/xNumiaieESw

Welcome to season 2 of the Determined to Dance podcast. I pray that you’ll be uplifted, encouraged, and will move forward each and every day. Today’s episode, The Necessity of Prayer, dives deeper into the question of why we pray.

Show notes: The Necessity of Prayer

Is prayer really necessary? I mean, God knows all so why can’t He just fix things as He wants and make everything turn out perfect?

In God’s perfect plan, He decided to give man a choice. We were made in His image and given the command in Genesis to subdue the earth, be fruitful, multiply, and have dominion. Our heavenly Father wanted us to partner with Him in our day-to-day lives.

One of our choices is whether or not to communicate with God. Do we share and listen? Or live life without His input? To navigate the dance floor of life, we must stay close to Father God.

I wear many hats. Wife, Mother, Grandmother, author, podcaster, website designer, blogger, housekeeper, church member, caregiver. The list goes on and on. I bet you have a similar list. In my get-it-done, planner mentality, sometimes I lose sight of the bigger picture. I trade time with the Father for a checked-off to-do list. It often takes me crashing from fatigue, stress, and burnout to stop and realize I’ve quit talking to God and moved way ahead of His plan.

Prayer, communication is my means to sanity once again. Why pray?

We live in a fallen world, full of potholes and the snares of the enemy. If we don’t take time for God, we can’t know which path to follow for safety.

Struggles within. Shame, defeat, sin, failure. Time spent with God puts the inner life into perspective once again.

Struggles without. War, sickness, finances, weather. Time spent with God can help with decision-making in a world where so many voices vie for our attention.

Family, friends, community, nation, and world. Needs are everywhere.

Because we live in a fallen world, have struggles within and without, and intercede for others, prayer is vital. But essential as these reasons are, the absolute main reason we pray is:

Relationship.

We need a close connection with God and that comes from time spent talking and listening. The same way we build and keep any relationship with others.

The longer I live, the more desperate I become to hear His voice, follow His ways, and work by His side. I talk, listen, love, and accept the Father’s love for me. All through prayer.

The apostle Paul, in the New Testament, writes a letter to the people of Philippi. In the fourth chapter, verses six and seven, he gives us a powerful thought on this subject:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” NKJV

What does Paul say prayer does? It helps with anxiety by giving peace no matter how difficult situations or people can be and guarding our hearts and minds.

Jesus gives us the ultimate example in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is in the darkest hour leading up to the crucifixion. He goes to a solitary location and places His life into the hands of His Father by praying. He asks for the Father’s will instead of His own. I love the fact that God cared enough for us to give us the Bible, full of instances of prayer like this one. Stories about a wide variety of people praying for various reasons.

If Jesus took the time often to pray, we should too. So, let’s go to Him now:

Father God, thank you for Your Son and Your Word and the way they show us by example the importance of prayer. Help us fight against the busyness that seeks to overwhelm us. We want to accept your invitation to sit at Your feet, listen, and learn. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

Communication is necessary for a vibrant relationship with God. Join me over the next four weeks as we learn about prayerful situations: specific prayers for specific needs. Until then, stay determined to dance…

Click to tweet: Today’s episode on the Determined to Dance #Podcast, The Necessity of Prayer, dives deeper into the question of why we pray. #Prayer #Easter

Links:

My website

My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope

Remember: The Necessity of Prayer

Video of the week:

I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.

https://youtu.be/PAmh3yvmzXs

Welcome to season 2 of the Determined to Dance podcast. I pray that you’ll be uplifted, encouraged, and will move forward each and every day. Today’s episode, Is There a Right or Wrong Way to Pray? looks at prayer and questions.

Show notes: Is There a Right or Wrong Way to Pray?

Our question for today. Is there a right or wrong way to pray? I didn’t think so as a child but in my late 20s and early 30s, I became unsure. A struggle had begun in my heart as I searched for my identity. Who was I, really? My children were older and I started searching for more of God.

If the devil can’t hold you back, he’ll push you too far. That’s what happened to me. I searched and studied and read and listened. Too much. Confusion crept in and I wondered and worried about everything. Including prayer. I spent several years working through the questions but God patiently led me back to the childhood wonder I’d felt so long ago. The freedom and joy of each aspect of God. Prayer again became a time of sharing and listening.

What did I learn during those years? I’ll take the question words to explain my findings on prayer.

Who? We pray to God. You might say of course we do but I found myself at times praying to the air because I didn’t believe I was heard or would be answered. Sometimes I prayed to my ego by asking for things clearly not in the will or Word of God. Take a moment when you begin and focus on God.

How? Use words. Or groans. Or tears or cries or even screams if necessary. God created us and understands our conversation no matter what form it takes. Make sure you ask the Holy Spirit to help you. One of His jobs is Helper and Advocate. Remember also that Jesus is always at our side, pleading in intercession for us. So, when we can’t find words, He can.

What? We ask, intercede for others, praise, worship, and plead. Our prayers can be one word like help or please. They can be long conversations discussing our feelings, our day, or the problems we face. Whatever you say, say it believing that He is and that He is who He says He is. God.

When? Morning. Noon. Evening. Midnight. At one point or another, I prayed at every different hour. Interceding for myself and others in the dark of night. Praising Him in the morning. Long afternoon talks. Whenever you need Him, He’ll be there.

Where? On your knees, in the car, at church, during a ballgame, while walking, in a designated place in your home. My favorite place to pray is while driving. I carry on a conversation with God like He is sitting in the seat beside me. And I believe He listens and nods, just like a friend. Because God is everywhere. Psalm 139:7-10 says, “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.” NLT

Why? Because it’s a necessity. Next week, we’ll discuss “why” at greater length. We can’t live without oxygen, water, or food. Or conversation with God. Yes, we can survive, maybe, but not truly live.

When I was twenty-eight years old, my mom called. She thought my fifty-three-year-old dad had had a stroke. It turned out he had an aneurysm that burst. He lived for five days. During that time and the months that followed, my prayers consisted of help and why, and grief compounded with more grief. God heard all my muddled groanings and cries and responded, pointing out Bible verses, and sending encouragement through friends, family, and music. One day at a time. He was there for me when I was hurt, sad, angry, confused. Don’t worry so much about the right or wrong way to pray. Just talk if you can and listen. God is big enough to sort it all out in the end. He is extending His hand, waiting to share the next dance.

Father God, we thank and praise You again for the privilege of prayer. To think you would grant man the opportunity and ability to converse with You is beyond all reasoning. But you do. Please help us share and listen and not worry so much. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

Next week, we’ll dig deeper into the why of prayer. Until then, stay determined to dance.

Click to tweet: Welcome to season 2 of the Determined to Dance #podcast. Today I answer the question: Is there a right or wrong way to pray? #Prayer

Links:

My website

My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope

Psalm 139: 7-10

More about my dad

Remember: Is There a Right or Wrong Way to Pray?

Video of the week:

I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.

https://youtu.be/NI_1YliutzA

Welcome to season 2 of the Determined to Dance podcast. I pray that you’ll be uplifted, encouraged, and will move forward each and every day. Today’s episode, Prayer People, focuses on becoming a people determined to pray.

Show notes: Prayer People

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” II Chronicles 7:14.

If my people … pray. I debated on a title for this episode. Person of prayer or people of prayer? Prayer people? I went with prayer people because, even though we often pray alone, there is power in corporate prayer. Matthew 18: 20 says, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” What could be more powerful than God in our midst?

Churches, groups, and individuals are praying in agreement in 2022 concerning issues like COVID, inflation, supply shortages, and the war to our east. I’ve prayed with friends at church and on social media, believing that God has the chaos in His hands, and hears every word I lift to Him.

If we want to dance or flow in the ways and will of God in today’s volatile world, we’ll not only seek God in a one-on-one conversation but wherever two or more are gathered together. How?

Physically praying with others. Whether in person, during a Zoom meeting, or on a social media app like Messenger, nothing compares to being present with someone and seeking God in real time. At my church, The Bridge, prayer requests from the congregation and community are lifted up each Sunday morning and Wednesday night. The pastor and others lead, but we all pray together. Our individual focus is different as each person follows the leading of the Holy Spirit on exactly how to pray. But we’re united.

Praying in agreement. I love specific, focused prayer best with a friend or small group. I belong to Word Weavers International, a writing organization. Their mission is to help members find their unique voice, strive for the exceptional and not settle for the mundane, and to raise the quality of their members’ writing to a publishable level. Though some groups meet in person, the two small groups I belong to gather via Zoom. My favorite time is at the end of each meeting where we share any problems or needs, then present them to God through unified prayer. Though our homes are in the United States, Canada, and Brazil, I feel an unrivaled closeness to my friends when we communicate with God.

Praying for others. Prayer people intercede for each other. At The Bridge on Wednesday nights, we pray for family, friends, and neighbors in our community, as well as national and international needs. Our list has over 70 individual names or groups. We add to and take away names weekly but we never run out of people or situations that need God’s touch. I pray at home and in the car, my favorite places to commune with the Father, but group intercession for others is special.

To me, there’s nothing more important that we can do than pray for others. Missions, outreach, in-reach, and small groups are necessary but prayer is vital. The growth and spiritual health of any individual or church depends on whether or not we are reaching out often to the Father on behalf of ourselves or others.

I’ve learned much about prayer from Pastor Jack Hayford. He said, “Prayer can change anything. The impossible doesn’t exist. His is the power. Ours is the prayer. Without Him, we cannot. Without us, He will not.”

God wants us to invite His rule into our world through prayer. What a wonderful privilege we’ve been given. An opportunity to be prayer people. Will you accept the challenge today?

Let’s pray: Father God, we come before You today, and thank You for allowing us to be a people of prayer. You not only listen to our every word but You answer us through many different avenues. Help us to pray physically with people, in agreement, as we lift the needs of others toward heaven. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

Praying with and for people is a beautiful expression of God’s love. Next week, we’ll look at how to pray. Is there a right or wrong way?

Until then, stay determined to dance.

Click to tweet: Welcome to season 2 of the Determined to Dance #podcast. Today’s episode, Prayer People, focuses on becoming a people determined to pray. #faith

Links:

My website

My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope

The Bridge Christian Fellowship

Word Weavers International

Remember: Prayer People

Video of the week:

I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.

https://youtu.be/FYVtW3FYQUI