Walking in Prayer

November 6, 2006
This weekend I spent some time with a friend I hadn't seen for a few months. Through most of our adoption journey, she has been very supportive and encouraging, but I was disappointed to find out that it seems she is tired of waiting, and has given up hoping. She actually asked me what we're going to do when our homestudy expires next year! Of course, my first response was a lighthearted, "Well, hopefully we have a baby by then!" But honestly, right now, we feel like that is the only response we CAN have: a response of FAITH. We are focused on walking this journey day-by-day as God leads us, and for now, He is directing us to walk in faith and intercession.

Through our time of waiting- even from the very first day- we have felt like there is a spiritual battle going on, as we "stand in the gap" for the birthmoms we hear about, and for our future child. We feel like adoption is a huge part of God's heart (He adopted us!), and He has been faithful speak to us through dreams, readings, music, and prayers as we seek His guidance in how we should pray. As Dutch Sheets writes in his book, Authority in Prayer:

"Kingly intercession. It is God’s royal priesthood reigning in life through the authority of Christ. As you intercede for individuals, places, or situations, the Holy Spirit will at times lead you to move into this type of prayer. When He does, be bold and respond in faith. Don't waver. You do have kingly authority."

In response to this thought, we are so thankful for those that are still interceding; prayers are so vital, and the loss of a prayer warrior is indeed a great loss. Later this weekend, we were encouraged to spend time with some other friends who are still clinging to faith along with us, even though they are going through their own infertility journey. When they visit, they always go straight to our nursery to spend a few minutes in there. We were preparing a meal in the kitchen while our friends were in the nursery, and suddenly, we heard the husband say excitedly, "Hey, it's all 'duded' up in here!" We had such a good laugh to hear him celebrating (and to hear the evidence that he's been reading Westerns on his last week's hunting trip!)

Our adoption agency has a prayer calendar that many families are following, and here is a prayer one adoptive mom wrote this weekend for her waiting friends:

"Today we are to pray for adoptive parents that are still in the waiting phase of this journey. Dear God, you are a gracious and loving Father who knows the deepest desires of our hearts. I pray that you would continue to give each of us a peace that passes ALL understanding. Your plan is perfect and we rest in your sovereignty. We do pray that you would bring many of our children home to us and bring life to the many nurseries that many of us have begun. Yet, while we wait we pray that you would hold us close and continue to remind us that you have something so fabulous in store for each of our families that we could never think, dream or imagine all that good gifts that you have in store for us. May your will be done in each of our lives and families. Praying and Fasting with so many of you!!!"