Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting

Soaked in God's Word, Sprouting Seeds of Faith

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When God Herds Chickens

March 16, 2017 by Ellen 4 Comments

She flitted around from task to task, never completing any one thing. I had been trying to train her in our office practices, but it seemed like she couldn’t sit still long enough to grasp even the basics. I tried to keep her on task, but it was impossible!

Sheesh, I’m too old for this. Maybe I’ve worked too long by myself. Maybe I’ll never be able to work with someone else.

Exhausted each evening, I wondered if I would ever get used to having another personshare my office space.

One day, she seemed a bit more manic than other times. She was all over the place and not focused at all. I finally gave up, hunkered down at my desk to work, and just let her bounce around. Then it hit me: She takes ADD medication. I’ll bet she skipped a dose.

I e-mailed my friend: I had some insights as to why I am so exhausted each evening. My new girl takes ADD meds. She has obviously skipped a dose here and there. She has been all over the place! I feel like I am herding chickens!!

The next morning in my prayer time, I asked the Lord what He wanted me to learn from this experience. Gently, He reminded me that most days I am the same way with Him. During my prayer time, I often flit from e-mail to weather to scripture to prayer, never settling down to listen. I sensed there have been many mornings when the Lord has had to herd this little chick into the prayer pen. And I knew first hand how hard that can be!

3-16-17 Chicken

“Be still, be calm, see, and understand I am the True God.
I am honored among all the nations.
I am honored over all the earth.” Psalm 46:10 The Voice

Oh Lord, settle me down! I want to be still before You! Help me, Lord!

How about you? Do you find it hard to settle down in prayer? Is it hard for you to remain focused during this time?

I’m certainly no expert (as God can tell you!) but here are a few things I’ve tried, that seem to help me focus.

1. First 5 app. If you must have your phone near (and I must, since I occasionally send quick texts to friends who are on my heart during prayer), try the First 5 app  from Proverbs 31 ministries. Before doing anything with your phone, read the devotions. Give God the first five minutes of your day.

2. Be still. Set a timer for five minutes or so, and just sit still. I ponder what God is doing in my life. But mainly, I just sit before the Lord quietly. It seems to settle me down. Perhaps it will help you also.

3. Journal. Journal your prayers. This keeps me focused on my praying and on the scriptures. I journal about what causes me to pause when reading a particular passage. I ask God what He wants me to learn from this scripture. I write about what I feel He may be telling me in this verse, and I respond to Him with praise and thanksgiving.

Are these methods foolproof? No, not at all. But they seem to help me – especially forcing myself to sit quietly.

How about you? How to you stay focused during your prayer time? PLEASE! Share your helpful hints in the comments!

Grace be with you,

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Ordinary to Extraordinary Prayer: Worship

July 28, 2016 by Ellen Leave a Comment

We’ve been talking about moving our prayers lives from Ordinary to Extraordinary these last few weeks. We discussed ways to warm up to prayer, getting into God’s word and wisdom from His word. Today, we’ll we’ll take a look at what we’ve learned and Worship our Savior in prayer!

Prayer is simply talking to God. So then, what if you’re not much of a talker? What if the idea of speaking to our holy and almighty God makes you tongue tied? What then?

PRAY GOD’S WORD
That’s when we dig back into God’s word. Take the scriptures you’ve been reading and pray them back to Him. In her book Praying God’s Word, Beth Moore likens praying scripture to two sticks of dynamite taped together. Powerful and explosive! How’s that for extraordinary prayer?

Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 1 Peter 4:7 (NLT)
Oh Lord, help me to be disciplined in setting aside a time each day to pray. Holy Spirit, fill me with a desire to pray!

What attribute of God have you seen in a passage? What have you learned about Jesus in a verse? Use these things you’ve learned to praise the Father and the Son.
When He (Jesus) looked out over the crowds, His heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. Matthew 9:36 (MSG)
Oh, Jesus, break my heart for the people you love. Help me to have compassion for others, just as You have had compassion and mercy on me!

no words

Is there a promise to claim?
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)
Lord, I’m scared. This situation fills me with anxiety. But, God, I’m clinging to Your promise: You will go with me. You will never leave me!

PRAY WITH EXPECTATION
Each time you come before God in prayer, be expectant and anticipate that you will hear from Him, and encounter Him personally. Now, I know this isn’t always easy. I’m a “cut and dried, black and white” kinda person myself.

Praying with expectation is where our faith comes in. Our holy God is personal. He hears our cries. He answers our prayers. Expect that you will meet Him and find Him, when you search for Him will all your heart.
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NASB)
God, I’m looking for You! Jesus, I want to see You! With all my heart I want to find you!

PRAY WHEN YOU HAVE NO WORDS
Several years ago, after my Mama died, I had absolutely no words. I continued to get up in the morning for my time with God. I read my Bible, and also some devotions for those who are grieving, but no words of response would come out of my mouth.
Perhaps you are grieving, or have suffered a terrible loss. It’s difficult to pray. Words just won’t come. You don’t know what to pray, and you’re hurting terribly.

At times like these, remember Roman 8:26:
If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He (Holy Spirit) does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. (MSG)
Sometimes the only prayer you can pray – and the most powerful one – is this:
Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.

Will all these things make you a perfect pray-er? No, not this side of heaven. But it will strengthen your relationship with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. And it will change you. We worship God with our prayers. And when we pray, we exchange our human wishes for His divine wishes.

Lord, teach us to pray like this, that our wishes would be exchanged for Yours, and Your wishes would become our prayer.

Be sure to click Subscribe for Updates (top right) to receive “7 Scriptures to Ignite Your Prayer Time” – my gift to you!

Grace be with you,

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Torrential rains had been pelting us for weeks. With the rains came weeds growing tall in the flower beds. But I noticed other new growth, too. It wasn’t colorful flowers. It was teeny, tiny little oak trees! Squirrels had been working hard, burying food for later. The rains had soaked and softened … Read More...

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