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God Answers Prayer @ AVirtuousWoman.org

God Answers Prayer | Day 7

“And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” 1 Chronicles 4:10

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Welcome to Day 7 of our series, From Chaos to Calm: 15 Weeks to a Happy Home. Today we’re talking about God’s faithfulness in answering prayer. I want you to know no matter what, you can talk to God and He is faithful and just to answer your prayers. 

God Answers Prayer @ AVirtuousWoman.org

Good morning, Ladies! So on Monday night I had a rare speaking engagement and it just threw me for a loop because you know – I don’t do it often. And I was nervous. It went well I think, but preparing for it was nerve wracking.

I hope you slept well last night and that you are ready to meet the day with joy today.

From Chaos to Calm: Day Seven

God Answers Prayer

Scripture Memory: “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” 1 Chronicles 4:10

     Have you ever felt that when you pray God does not hear you? I think if people understood how powerful prayer is, they would use it as a first defense instead of a last resort.

     There is so much more to prayer than simply taking your pleas before God. Prayer not only offers us a chance to lift up our concerns, ours fears, and our requests to God; it offers us a chance to have a relationship with Him.

     When we pray, we have the opportunity to hear God’s voice more clearly in our hearts. God wants us to spend time with Him each day. When we pray our faith is strengthened, our attitudes are adjusted, and our prayers are laid before the Father. I love the acronym ACTS for praying:

Adoration. When we bow our heads, the first words we utter should praise His holy name. How mighty and glorious HE is!

Confession. After our praise and adoration, we should be thinking about our own sins. How have we messed up this time? We need to repent and wipe the slate clean. We need to ask forgiveness on a daily basis. Ask for help each day so that you will be better prepared for the temptations coming your way.

Thanksgiving. You have been so blessed! Acknowledge the blessings God has bestowed upon you. Thank Him for the riches in your life.

Supplication. And finally we can lift up our petitions before God. Whether we are praying for a family member who is lost, praying for our own attitudes, praying for our children, asking God to help in daily matters and concerns – He wants us to bring our worries to Him.

This is where our Scripture Memory for today comes in. Re-read the prayer of Jabez again. And think about it for a moment. Notice specifically the final part of the verse which says, “And God granted him that which he requested.”

     Jabez was in need of God’s divine help. We are not told much more about this man. We know his mother bore him in pain (verse 9) and called him Jabez which means sorrow. We also know that he was more honorable than his brothers. His prayer is listed in the midst of a long record of genealogy. Yet, there was something special about this man that stood out causing his prayer to be recorded.

     God answered the prayer of Jabez and He wants to answer your prayers, too! God wants to bless your life. Prayer is so important. Don’t negate the importance of your Morning Manna. You need that time with God, alone and in the quiet.

     If you have not committed large numbers of Scripture to your memory, you need to begin. When you have God’s Word hidden in your heart, it is like carrying around the “Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.” We are told to put on the armor of God and His Word will help us in our daily battles.

     His Word will also help us in our prayers. If we use Scripture promises in our prayer time, our prayers will be made that much stronger. So continue to use your prayer journal. Write your verses down in the journal. Read them each morning. Hide them in your hearts. Use them in your prayers. And trust that, like Jabez, your prayers will be heard and God will grant you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

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From Chaos to Calm: 15 Weeks to a Happy Home is a daily devotion – Monday through Friday for 15 Weeks by Melissa Ringstaff. The Audio Podcast gives you extra ideas to go along with the email series or e-book.

 


From Chaos to Calm: 15 Weeks to a Happy Home @ AVirtuousWoman.org

From Chaos to Calm eBook

If you’ve been struggling with your home, your marriage, your children, or just life in general this might be the answer you have been waiting for! Inside the pages of this ebook you will spend 15 weeks working toward a goal for:

– peace in the heart
– peace in the home
– peace with our husbands
– peace with our children

$7.00 – Purchase Checkout Added to cart

How has God answered your prayers? Do you keep a record of answered prayers? Are there prayers you are still waiting to be answered?

Free Printable Prayer Journal

Be Still and Know Prayer Journal @ AVirtuousWoman.org
Be Still and Know Prayer Journal

How to Download

  1. Just fill out the form below and you’ll receive an email giving you access to my subscriber exclusive resource library where you’ll find this and many more resources for your home and family! 
  2. You’ll find this sweet Prayer Journal in the Abundant Living section of the library.
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About Melissa Ringstaff

My name is Melissa Ringstaff and I've been blogging here at A Virtuous Woman since 2001. I'm a pastor's wife and homeschooling mom living in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Southeastern KY. I believe in finding freedom from perfection and living life with purpose and I want to help you do exactly that.

I'm so glad you've stopped by to visit with me. I hope we can be friends!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Holly

    March 5, 2013 at 7:51 pm

    I am guilty of not praying enough. This is an area of my life which needs a total overhaul. I love the ACTS acronym. I am going to print out today's pdf and put it in my household notebook. :)
    Reply
    • Melissa Ringstaff

      March 6, 2013 at 6:50 am

      Thanks, Holly! That's a great idea!
      Reply
  2. Leigh

    March 5, 2013 at 8:33 pm

    Hi Melissa I got my prayer journal today :). I wanted to share where I'm at so far - I work most days as a substitute teacher so I'm breaking up my devotion time. I'm up early for prayer and reading my Bible. My evening is study time. I read your posts and I'm also reading an Elizabeth George book. At night I try to think how I'll use what I'm learning tomorrow. For scripture memory (which is not so easy now that 50 is creeping nearer) I use bright neon index cards. I write out my verse and put the card in my purse, bag, etc. It's easy to spot and I can read it several times a day. Your words are so wise. Good luck dealing with Spring allergies, I can sympathize. Peace & Strength
    Reply
    • Melissa Ringstaff

      March 6, 2013 at 6:51 am

      Leigh, I love your idea about the neon cards. That's smart! I tend to lose things in my purse... maybe neon cards wouldn't get lost so easy! :) I hope you enjoy your prayer journal!
      Reply
  3. Krysta

    March 7, 2013 at 6:45 am

    I love the idea of neon note cards for the same reason! I usually carry a black or brown purse and things do lost in there :)
    Reply
  4. Meg

    April 17, 2014 at 6:53 am

    Sometimes I will type Bible verses out/tape them inside my cupboards. That way every time I open the cupboard door (which being a stay at home, homeschool mama I spend most time in the kitchen!) I am reminded.....
    Reply
    • Melissa Ringstaff

      April 17, 2014 at 12:55 pm

      Meg, I think this is a wonderful idea! Thank you for sharing! And thanks for visiting with me today. I hope you are blessed!
      Reply
  5. Paula Dobbs

    September 16, 2014 at 4:17 pm

    Hey Melissa, I am really enjoying your series of from Chaos to clam. Is these a way to print the whole series at one time?
    Reply
    • Melissa Ringstaff

      September 16, 2014 at 7:11 pm

      Hi Paula, I'm so glad your enjoying the series. I am hoping to one day have the series in e-book format, but right now I just have not had time to work on it. Sorry!
      Reply
  6. Mariana

    August 18, 2015 at 8:15 am

    Hi Melissa, I´m doing well with the challenge :). I am reading the daily Scripture Memory in the post and transfering it to my prayer jornal. I need your explanation of what the scripture means and how to apply it in our days. Then I do my prayer thinking about the verse and write down in the jornal any spetial thing that may have happen yesterday or any insight that may arise during the prayer. I´m loving it!!! Thanks, thanks so much.
    Reply
    • Melissa Ringstaff

      August 18, 2015 at 11:38 am

      Wonderful, Mariana! Thank you for sharing your experience with me. :)
      Reply
  7. Sabrina Armer

    August 18, 2015 at 10:44 am

    Morning, yes God has definitely answered prayers and they came mostly in his way and time but I saw acknowledged and gave praise and thanks for the answered prayers and the blessing for his way it was the right way. He has alot of work still here in my life and my trust and faithfulness is not close to perfect but he knows my heart. Thanks to Melissa and all the ladies I pray that you are blessed now and everyday of your lives. Amen
    Reply
    • Melissa Ringstaff

      August 18, 2015 at 11:40 am

      Sabrina, God is good and His ways are perfect. Thank you for sharing!
      Reply
  8. Gloria Jacobsen

    August 18, 2015 at 1:55 pm

    I prayed 32 years for my cousin to know Jesus. Just before Grandma died she accept Jesus. I forget things due to my TBI, I seem to remember ACTS and was delighted to see it here. Thank you Melissa.
    Reply
    • Melissa Ringstaff

      August 18, 2015 at 6:01 pm

      You're welcome, Gloria. I hope it helps. :)
      Reply
  9. Linda

    August 18, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    Hi Melissa, I feel that my spirit is really being fed with the series. Prayer being a "first defense instead of a last resort" really seemed to speak to me. Boy, do I need that printed out for me to read throughout my day. Thank-you again for putting this study together for us. Linda
    Reply
    • Melissa Ringstaff

      August 19, 2015 at 7:32 am

      Oh, Linda, I'm so glad to hear that! Yes - we all need to pray more!
      Reply

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purposenotperfection

Freedom from perfection. 🪁
Live with purpose. ✝️
Proverbs 31 for modern women. 👱‍♀️
Wife + Mama + Homemaker + Kentucky
Life: @melissa.ringstaff

Melissa Ringstaff
Not gonna lie. 2020 was a hard year. And not just Not gonna lie. 2020 was a hard year. And not just because there was a pandemic. Our family has faced many trying times in the past but 2020 gave us some doozies.  I’m looking forward to a new year. The beginning of the new year always feels like a fresh start to me. It feels like HOPE.  But the truth is, whatever heartaches and hardships you and I were facing on Dec. 31 will most likely still be there on Jan. 1.  That’s why it’s hard to keep New Years resolutions. It’s easy to feel motivated for a few days or a couple weeks until we realize life hasn’t really changed and things are still hard.  But if we want to see real change it takes hard work and real effort. It takes showing up every day - even when it’s hard.  Whether that means working on your fractured relationships or setting healthy boundaries or cultivating self disciple... whatever that hard thing is that you need to work on ... it will only get better if you work on it.  We aren’t promised an easy life. But we are promised an “Ever Present Help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1  *
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#faithblogger #faithfulness #faithandfamily #bibleverseaday #christianbloggers #dailyverses #christianlife #jesuscalling #shereadstruth#proverbs31women #proverbs31life #10virtues #daughteroftheking #jesuslovesme #womenoffaith #faithquotes #proverbs31
We’re coming into the new year with all the same We’re coming into the new year with all the same problems we had in the last year. And that’s okay! Life doesn’t have to be perfect to still be amazing. Perfectionism is a joy stealer. Let’s determine to enjoy life right now in all its messiness.  I believe you can find freedom from perfection and the confidence to live your life with purpose. #purposenotperfection  #christian #Jesus #love #quotes #quoteslife #quotestoliveby #godisgood #votd #lifequotes #inspirationalquotes #life #motivationalquotes #inspiration #bible #bb #bestoftheday #happiness #wordofgod
🏠 Being a homemaker is such an important role. 🏠 Being a homemaker is such an important role. It’s a ministry to your family and all who enter your home.  But I want you to know: You don’t have to be perfect. ❤️  There’s a fine line between teaching your children to be neat and insisting on perfection. No one can meet that kind of standard and it can be detrimental to the emotional health of your family.  What we want for our homes is to provide a space that is neat and clean enough that your family and friends feel comfortable and well loved.  There is freedom in accepting the fact that you’re not perfect. Not to make excuses for slovenliness - but to give yourself grace.  It’s when we recognize our weakness that we find ourselves reaching out to Jesus to receive the power that comes only from him. As homemakers, when we can find grace for the moment when we accept His Gift.  “But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage. Ezra 9:8  Let His Grace wash over you, cleanse your weary heart. Homemaking isn’t about creating a perfect space. It’s about creating a home where loved ones feel cared for and nurtured. 
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking #wearethehomemakers
❤️Your attitude about homemaking matters.⠀
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A homemaker by definition is someone who manages and makes a home. 🏠⠀
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But, anyone can clean and organize a home. ⠀
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☑️ Homemaking is about more than checking off the items on your to do list.⠀
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Learning how to be a homemaker means you learn how to make your home feel like haven of peace and love. You seek out ways to make your home feel inviting. You work at it.⠀
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There is no easy button for homemaking. There are easier, more efficient ways to do chores, but the chores still have to be done. If you live in a house, you will create the need for the house to be tidied every day and cleaned on a regular basis.⠀
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Having the right attitude about homemaking is the first step in learning how to be a homemaker.⠀
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The good news is, even if you’ve been struggling with your homemaking, you can always go to God and ask Him for help. ⠀
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He sees the unseen work of your hands. And He loves you very, very much. He wants to help you succeed. ⠀
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking  #youngwife #housewife
🙏 If you’ve found it difficult to have a regu 🙏 If you’ve found it difficult to have a regular time with Jesus every day, you’re not alone. Lots of busy Christian women struggle to find time for a daily prayer and devotion time. ⠀
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But I still want to encourage you to start your day with God! ⠀
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⏰ If it’s hard to spend 30 minutes in the morning for a quiet time, I want you to remember you can still begin your day with God – even if that means saying a short prayer before your feet hit the floor in the morning.⠀
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✝️ I also want to encourage you to memorize this verse:⠀
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“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.⠀
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8 📖⠀
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In the morning you can recite this verse and say a prayer. It doesn’t have to take a long time. Although – if you do have time – you will be greatly blessed by spending more time in prayer and devotion.⠀
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📌 Free Printable Morning Prayer Prompts on the blog today: https://avirtuouswoman.org/morning-prayer-prompts/  #linkinbio ⠀
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#faithblogger #faithfulness #faithandfamily #bibleverseaday #christianbloggers #dailyverses #christianlife #jesuscalling #shereadstruth #Christ #Church #Christian #Jesus #Jesuslover #JesusChrist #JesusisLord #CreatorGod #Devotional #verseoftheday #Love #Faith #biblestudy #God #dailydevotional
🏠 As a homemaker, one of my goals is to be inte 🏠 As a homemaker, one of my goals is to be intentional with how I plan our days. I love any opportunity to create a good memories at home for my family and guests. ⠀⠀
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📌 If you're looking to make this holiday season really special, you need to be intentional. Goodness knows 2020 has had a lot of ups and downs. And maybe you feel like it's been mostly downs. ⠀⠀
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🎄 But the holiday season is a chance to focus on celebrating the life we have right now. Things don't need to be perfect for us to celebrate life right now!!⠀⠀
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☑️ Inside the pages of my Purpose 31 holiday planner, you'll find 8 weeks of planning and cleaning all laid out for you. Recipe pages, journaling pages, and more - 120 pages total. ⠀⠀
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✏️ The Purpose 31 Holiday Planner is by far one of the most popular resource I produce each year. ⠀⠀
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Thousands of women have downloaded it over the last four years I've offered it.⠀⠀
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So, even though it's early still, you can go ahead and downlaod it. Print it out and then set it up so you're ready to go.⠀⠀
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I usually take my holiday planner down to Office Depot and have them spiral bind it with a plastic cover for about $5.00. This year, though, I just bought a new 3 ring binder at Walmart, printed off extra cover pages to slip in the clear sleeve, and created a binder with it. ⠀⠀
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📌📌📌 If you use the planner this year, be sure to share and tag me in your photos! ❤️⠀  Download: https://avirtuouswoman.org/holiday-planner/ #linkinbio
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking #christmas #holidayplanning #planningaddict #plannercommunity #freeprintables #thanksgiving #christmastree  #plannerobsessed
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