Carmen Horne

New Lens, New Life

Does it Matter if We Pray?

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Stephanie K. Adams, Ellen Chauvin, and I have a mastermind group that meets on voxer every day. When I read that sentence, I feel compelled to explain that we are not masterminds. We serve a great Master who we want to use our minds for His glory.

We talk a lot about Jesus, ministry, and how to serve our readers best. There might be a few words said about good food, good books, and where to find a particular cracker at the grocery store. 

I would not want to do ministry without these two. 

Stephanie is an author, Board Certified Advanced Christian Life Coach, and director of Real Women Ministries. RWM is a cozy home for real women to share real-life. Stephanie is passionate about helping women cultivate a love for studying God’s word and creating a prayer habit. 

This month in the Real Women community, we are discussing prayer. As a Hope Coach, Steph asked me to write a few words about the hope of prayer for her readers.

Here’s the question that has been bouncing around in my mind and heart lately: Does it matter if we pray? I believe it does.

James 5:16b affirms my belief,

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” ESV

Over and over in Scripture, we read how prayer made a difference in the outcomes of situations. Over and over in my life, I can testify how prayer made a difference in my circumstances. 

You have a similar testimony. You, too, can look back over your life, in the good times and bad, and see how God’s hand was and still is working on your behalf.

Prayer changes things.

Join me over at Real Women Ministries to continue our discussion. 

Here’s the link > Prayer Changes Things — Real Women Ministries

Do you have a testimony of how prayer changed a situation in your life? We would love to chat. Come on over!




Still Looking For the Answer to Your Prayer?

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A few weeks ago we talked about prayer, actually about our struggle to pray. So, I’m still thinking about that. Can we talk a bit more?

One of the reasons I think we struggle to pray is that God can sometimes seem quiet when our world seems loud. We can hardly hear ourselves think because of all the noise from our hearts breaking, and from God – we hear crickets.

It’s not always that way but I think we feel it happens way too much for a loving Father, right? We want to look at Him and shout, “Say something, do something, will ya!”

In Lysa TerKeurt’s study, Finding I AM, she mentions something (week four, day two) that just popped off the page for me, “Trust that prayer makes a difference, even when you don’t see the difference.” And then the pop. “It may take a while for you to see God answer your prayers. But don’t miss an ‘in the meantime answer’ you can receive right away.” 

In the meantime answer…

Can I tell you that I am smack dab in the middle of needing some answers. I’ll take an “in the meantime answer” cause I’m thinking the clarity I seek will not come in an instant. It won’t be like my coffee in the morning in our Keurig. It will be like that old drip pot my Mom had on the stove when I was a kid. I would have gotten out of the mood for coffee by the time I boiled the water, poured it over the grounds, and waited for it to run through to the pot.

So I’m looking everywhere for my “in the meantime answer” and I remembered the verse Lysa quoted,

do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7, ESV

Peace. I need my heart and mind guarded because you are talking to the queen of scenarios and crossing bridges before I get there. Dreaming up some stuff is my gift. This quote from Emily P. Freeman‘s newsletter hit my inbox so timely, “Clarity cannot be rushed. ~Marie Forleo” 

It seems to my natural mind that when we need clarity, God picking up His pace in delivering is not a bad thing. In my spirit though I know that timing is everything. I have said before that God doesn’t seem very interested in time, He’s all about timing. That’s all fun and games to say such profound statements until you feel like you are looking out of the dirty eye glasses of a six-year-old boy. 

How can we find peace when ain’t nothing peaceful about our situations? This old hymn reminds me of the best way. Enjoy this portion of its anointed words:

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – Helen H. Lemmel – 1922

Weary and troubled become refreshed and peaceful in the light of Jesus’ love.

Lord, I know it’s not just me. So many of us need clarity, direction, comfort, and most especially peace. Will You help us sense it please? We know it’s there, available. How will our hearts and minds be guarded from panic and anxiety without Your peace? Help us not be so fretful that we can not receive what You freely give. You are our Jehovah-shalom –  The Lord is peace. Thank you for sending such a wonderful “in the meantime answer” to our deepest prayers. In Jesus’ sweet name, amen.