prayer

NCFI Cares: Y is for Yield

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Y for Yield guides us in opening ourselves up to how God will speak to us through prayer. Prayer, like eating and sleeping, can become habitual and repetitive. A potential boring activity where we say the same prayers, at the same time, for the same things. We need a jolt to our prayer lives, an openness to God communicating with us in new and unique ways. Here are some Biblical examples:

Remember Moses and the burning bush—through a miraculous bush Moses heart and passion was moved to free the Israelites (Exodus 3).  Isaiah was ushered into the throne room of God. Where Isaiah heard the edict to confront the Israelites regarding their disobedience (Isaiah 6). And my favorite one, is the Lord speaking to a stubborn Balaam through his donkey (Numbers 22:28-33). Let’s not forget Peter, whose daily prayers were interrupted by a vision for the New Testament church (Acts 10).

The Lord can and will use miraculous ways to grab our attention and communicate his word. We can open to these interruptions by simple changes in our prayer routine.  Reading a new liturgy, attending a prayer service, or just sitting quietly and listening more and talking less;  these and other changes can open our hearts and spirits to a unique yielding.

Even if you are a prayer warrior and have a disciplined prayer life, jolt it out of the ordinary and yield to a new way and new passion for intercession with the Lord (Romans 8:27-29)

Blessings

“There is not only a sad and ruinous neglect of any attempt to pray, but there is an immense waste in the false praying that is done, as official praying, state praying, mere habit praying. People cleave to the form and semblance of a thing after the heart and reality have gone out of it.” (EM Bounds in The Reality of Prayer)

 

NCFI Cares: A is for Alert

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A for Alert reminds us to be alert to opportunities to pray with our colleagues. Many times our compassion and concern is focused on our patients and the holy interventions they need. We can also be alert to our colleagues, managers, and administrators. Whether it is a colleague worried about their marriage or stressed about their children. Or maybe it is a manager/administrator facing a newly diagnosed illness or disease. We can listen and support their tough life journey through compassionate prayer.

Alert also reminds us not to forget to stop immediately and pray with them. Personally, I get busy listening, consoling, and supporting that I forget to stop and ask them if I can pray with them. If the situation or work environment is not conducive to an immediate, quick prayer. Then, be sure to follow up with a text, email, or quick word letting them know you are praying for them and would welcome a moment to pray WITH them.

 

As we seek to be alert to the needs of our colleagues, let’s respond compassionately with prayer:

“There is a certain compassion that belongs to the natural person, which expends its force in simple gifts to those in need, and is not to be despised. But spiritual compassion, the kind born in a renewed heart, is Christlike in its nature, deeper, broader, and more prayer-like. Christlike compassion always moves to prayer.” (E.M.Bounds in The Essentials of Prayer)

Ephesians 6:18 With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and requests for all the saints.

NCFI Cares: R is for Request

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How many times to do we seek God’s specific insight into a situation BEFORE we pray for a solution? Most of the time we pray for the solution—healing, relationship, peace, and/or hope. R for Request prompts us seek God’s wisdom and heart before we pray for our colleagues, patients and students.

Isaiah 55:9 says, “Just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans.” In other words, God has a plan for every situation that is probably better than our own plan. Whether it is a complicated patient or challenging work environment, God is already at work. This doesn’t mean we just pray “God’s will” for everything. Instead, we embrace Romans 8:26-27:

The same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will.

Whether you are praying for a patient, colleague, or your leadership team, request the Lord’s Spirit to guide your prayerful heart. He will open our heart and eyes to the situation and filling our spirit with his wisdom. Then our prayers can be in conjunction with the Lord’s perfect plan.

 

“Praying men and women have been God’s representatives on earthy, but prayerless men and women have never been used by Him.” E M Bounds in The Necessity of Prayer

NCFI Cares: P is for Presence

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Imagine the following scenario:

While a nurse is driving to work at a busy hospital, he prays, “Lord, help me to show your love and grace,” for each staff member he will encounter. He receives report on his patients and then, prior to entering each patient’s room, he quietly asks the Lord, “Guide me in being a caring presence.”

The day continues with the nurse offering quiet, timely prayers, “Thank you Lord for your wisdom and guidance.”  A patient, who is struggling with a terminal diagnosis, is crying and feeling overwhelmed. Prior to talking with the patient, the nurse prays, “Let me truly listen to this patient and to your Spirit.” Another prayer is shared, “O Lord, you provide miracles!” in response to the patient who survived a traumatic injury with a complicated surgery.

The day comes to a close and the nurse drives home, he reflects on his day and seeks insight into the unknown mysteries, “O Lord, your ways are above my ways and my soul shall praise your name.”

The above scenario is an example of how we can bring the presence of the Lord into our daily nursing practice. As we go about the demands of our work, we can pray with our mind and spirit partnering with the Lord in the work he is doing with our patients, families, and colleagues.

1 Corinthians 14:15: “What should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praises with my spirit, but I will also sing praises with my mind”77ba6-ncficares_3bloglogo

NCFI Cares: PRAYERWORKS!

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As we complete our series on spiritual warfare, we will add the final piece to our nursing uniform. I hesitate to call this piece an accessory, for it alludes to something that is complimentary and can be left behind. Instead, I would say it is like our underwear (not to get too personal) something we need to wear every day. This necessary undergarment is prayer. “Prayer is the stitching that connects each piece of the armor. Prayer solidifies our righteousness found in truth, secures our salvation that rests in faith and equips us with peace and strength through the Holy Spirit” (Dameron, Stand Firm with Prayer, JCN article).

Prayer is not only required for spiritual warfare and faith, prayer is also essential for nursing. Through prayer we bathe our self, our nursing practice, and our workplace with grace and truth found in scripture.

In the coming months, we will discover 11 ways to bring prayer into nursing. Using the acrostic PRAYERWORKS as a guide, each devotion will build prayer into our nursing care. The hope is that instead of only looking for ways to pray with patients, we will find infuse our life and work with the pulsating presence of Christ through prayer.

“Failure has resulted from a lack of trust and a weakness of faith—and both caused by a neglect of prayer” (EM Bounds, The Necessity of Prayer).

EMbounds prayer

p.s. To get a sneak peak into PRAYERWORKS, check out http://wp.me/p4IKhl-6H

NCFI Cares: Peter’s Wisdom

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During the Last Supper, Jesus warned Peter that he would be sifted by Satan and deny him three times (Luke 22:31-34). As the evening continues, Peter repeatedly denies Christ. His denial is not quietly, but vocally and wholeheartedly. After the third denial, we hear the rooster crow and our hearts break with Peter’s. For his personal sin becomes part of our redemption story.

After reading Peter’s experience, we are not surprised when he uses the metaphor “devour” to describe Satan’s tactic for Christians. For I am sure Peter felt sifted, distraught and close to being devoured. Thankfully, in the same passage Peter reaches out to all of us with wisdom:

Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering. (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Peter encourages us to stay “sober and alert” meaning we can’t get complacent about Satan and assume he’s on vacation. We need to “resist him” by being strong in our faith. Not a faith filled with words and strength, but a faith dependent upon Christ (1 John 5:5). The true victor in the war with Satan is Jesus, thus our prayers are to him. For just as Peter depended upon the prayers of Jesus, “I have prayed for you, Simon (Peter) that your faith may not fail.” He tells us “I have prayed for you _____________(insert name) that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:32).

Christian Nursing 101: Stand Firm with Prayer

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In the previous article “Chaos at Work” I touched on the importance of Christians including the role of Satan and evil spirit when our workplace is filled with incivility, bullying, and other disruptive or disrespectful behaviors.  Once we begin to see the whirling havoc through our Christian eyes, we can plan our prayerful response. My discussion is two-fold:

–Check out the  article Stand Firm with Prayer where we look at the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) with a new focus–prayer. “Prayer is the stitching that connects each piece of the armor. Prayer solidifies our righteousness found in truth, secures our salvation that rests in faith and equips us with peace and strength through the Holy Spirit.”

–A supplement to the article is a simple, fun acrostic entitled PRAYER WORKS! Each letter guides us in living out an “unceasing” plan of prayer for nursing.

I would love to hear from you…How have you responded to chaotic work environments? Also, how do implement prayer with nursing?

 

p.s. This rolled through my social media…and felt like it needed to be added to our topic! A link is provided to preserve the copyright!

God vs Satan

PRAYER WORKS! Acrostic for integrating prayer into nursing

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In the Christian Nursing 101 article Stand Firm with Prayer, we explore how authentic open communication with the Lord guides our response to our chaotic workplace.  Look for the article in Journal of Christian Nursing in April/June 2015.

In the meantime, check out creative ways to implement prayer into our daily nursing using the fun acrostic PRAYER WORKS.

P is for Presence—bring the presence of God to your daily work by offering spontaneous requests and thanks throughout the day. This is a form of living prayer.

1 Thess 5:17: pray always 1 Cor. 14:15: What should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praises with my spirit, but I will also sing praises with my mind. Gal 5:25: If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.

R is for Request—ask specifically for God’s insight. Whether it is a complicated patient, coworker, or a difficult situation—ask God for his eyes, heart and wisdom; then pray and act with His wisdom.

Romans 8:26-27: The same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will.

A is for Alert—be alert for opportunities to pray; colleague is worried about her marriage, friend shares their stress about their children—stop and pray with them.

Ephesians 6:18: With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and requests for all the saints

Y is for Yield—yield to how God will use you through prayer. God will soften your heart for His will as he brings people and incidences to your mind. Be open to those who need prayer or a caring touch/word. Pray for them and then pray for them again, when you think of them.

1 John 2:5-6: But whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in him. The one who says he resides in God ought himself to walk just as Jesus walked.

E is for Earnest—be earnest in your prayers. Commit to praying weekly for your institution and unit; or daily for pressing matters.

Luke 11:9-10: So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Romans 12:12: Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer.

R is for Record—keep a prayer/praise list is a great way to remember and reflect on how the Lord is working your life.

Psalms 143:5: I recall the old days; I meditate on all you have done; I reflect on your accomplishment

W is for Word—use scripture in your prayers. The Psalms and the New Testament contain wonderful insight into how the word applies to our lives.

Psalm 119;18: Open  my eyes so I can truly see the marvelous things in your law! Verse 24: Yes, I find delight in your rules; they give me guidance. Verse 27: Help me to understand what your precepts mean! Then I can meditate on your marvelous teachings.

O is for Others—include your colleagues, managers, students, and prayer. Create a list and commit to pray for them daily.

Luke 6:28: pray for those who mistreat you.  Colossians 1:9; For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you… Ephesians 3:14: For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on the earth is named. I pray that…

R is for Rejoice—gratitude and praise can be interwoven into our prayers and life. Be spontaneous with your praise and thanksgiving being reminded of Who continues to remain faithful and provide for us.

Phi 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! Psalm 69:30: I will sing praises to God’s name! I will magnify him as I give him thanks!

K is for Kingdom—we are part of the larger body of Christ and the work of God, so prayer for Christian nurses and health care providers locally, nationally and internationally.

Ephesians 6:18: pray for all saints. John 17:20: Jesus says, “I am not praying only on their behalf, but also on behalf of those who believe in me…”

S is for Sensitivity—when seeking to pray for patients be sensitive and complete a spiritual assessment, which includes finding out if Christian prayer is part of their spiritual life.

1 John 4: God is love and his love is in us thus, love our neighbors and love other Christians (paraphrased) 

NCFI Cares: Looking for the One

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When I was new nurse working in a hospital I was shocked at the negativity that some of the nurses had towards their patients and their profession. I was excited to be a nurse and knew that the Lord had brought me through many personal trials to be able to graduate and become an RN. There were very few Christians around, so I also lacked fellow believers to guide and support me.

So, I prayed. I prayed against acquiring a bitter, complaining attitude (Eph. 4:31); and I prayed to keep the passion for nursing and a heart for patients God had given me (John 15:12). Then, one day I was reading a nursing type periodical and seen an advertisement to connect with a local Nurses Christian Fellowship in my area. I knew this was an answer to prayer. I immediately called the number and connected with other Christian nurses. This was over 22 years ago. Through my need and my prayers, as well as the group’s prayer, Jesus connected me to NCF USA. I am now part of NCFI and am connected to all of you—Nurses who love Jesus and love nursing!

I tell this story to remind all of us that there are nurses everywhere who need fellowship and support in maintaining their faith and passion for Christian nursing. They may feel discouraged and challenged to live out their love of Christ in their workplace. Jesus taught us to leave the 100 to find the 1 (Matt. 18:12). Thus we need to pray AND actively find ways to seek out those who need encouragement. Whether it is personally, locally, or nationally—seek out a sister or brother who needs YOU

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Pray4Me

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prayer room in Taipai airport

Prayer Room in Taipai, Taiwan Airport

One of the most powerful and important things we do as humans is PRAY! I say humans for I have discovered that most people pray. Face it anytime we are facing devastating news, struggling with relationships, or diagnosed with an illness or disease, we pray! Prayer is especially important for Christians. It is the means in which we communicate with God. Not just to give him our to-do list, but he gives us his to-do list, as well.

Anyway, all this to say I want to pray for you!

  • I encourage you to submit a prayer request in one of the following ways:
    • you can add a comment to this blog
    • follow me @carriedameron #pray4me
    • Fill out the form below–and I will receive an email

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      Thank you for your response. ✨

Either way I will pray for you. Just a word about my prayers. I am a Christian, thus I will pray to God and use verses from the Bible as part of my prayers for you.

  • I have also created a category entitled “PRAYER” so if you want to learn more about prayer, especially as related to nursing or health care.