When U Pray

Women who’s faith broke the rules.

29 When she saw the angel, she was troubled at his words. She thought about what had been said. 30 The angel said to her, “Mary, do not be afraid. You have found favor with God.

But Ruth said, “Don’t force me to leave you! Don’t force me to go back to my own people. Let me go with you. Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you sleep, I will sleep. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God. (Ruth 1:16 ERV)

“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14, NIV)Esther urged all of the Jews to fast and pray for deliverance. Then risking her own life, brave young Esther approached the king with a plan of her own.

I keep finding example after example of women who had faith strong enough to overcome any obstacle. Mary heard from the angel and believed what he said. Anyone can imagine that being engaged to be married and coming up pregnant had to be shameful for this young girl, imagine having to marry and leave everything you know and love. Having a child without your mama to show you what to do, how to handle colic and thrash. I could never have made it without the matriarchs in our family.

Imagine your Ruth and everything you know has been changed. Your husband died and your support system is falling apart.

Imagine you are Esther, your husband has been led to believe it was best to kill everyone in your lineage. Not just kill one person but everyone who believed in your God.

These women had one thing in common, one thing that separated them from the crowd, their Faith. Each of these women trusted God beyond their own comprehension. Sarah packed her stuff and followed her husband and trusted that God would do what he said he would. Ruth followed her mother in law and vowed she would accept her God as her own. Esther trusted the process, Esther urged all of the Jews to fast and pray for deliverance.

Let me deviate for one moment..what kind of faith did Naomi exhibit that Ruth was willing to change Gods to be with her? We talk about the faith Ruth showed but in my sanctified mind Naomi trusted God so completely that it activated Ruth’s faith. That is the faith I claim for myself. Soul saving, life changing, steadfast unmovable faith.