Earlier today, our 13-year-old daughter Kaiah showed me a slideshow she had created using family photos.
She loves taking photographs and doing neat little things with them.
Lots of the images of me, my husband Kenya and our four children warmed my heart. She captured the Hobbs family beautifully.
Then, a really special picture flashed across the screen that hit me right in the heart.
I was posing with my mother, Annie, whose head was completely bald at the time. The year was 2011 and she was going through chemotherapy to treat Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
Though we both smiled for the camera, it was a rough journey. There were lots of tearful days and restless nights.
Mom was so sick from chemotherapy and other life-threatening infections. Doctors were very concerned about her condition. At times, it looked like she might not pull through.
One day, I walked into her hospital room where she was sobbing uncontrollably and burning up with fever.
“Is there anything I can do?” I asked. “Are you hurting?”
Before I could summon a nurse, Mom let me know her tears had nothing to do with her physical condition, though she was weak and in pain.
She poured out her heart and told me how she couldn’t sense God’s presence the way she wanted to. She desperately needed assurance of the Father’s closeness during that intensely difficult time.
Silently I prayed as I listened, holding back tears of my own. Seeing Mom go through a physical, mental, spiritual and emotional battle that I could do nothing to help her overcome was indescribably hard.
I wanted to make it all okay, but couldn’t.
When I went home that night, I picked up a devotional sitting on my night stand. It was Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. When I opened it, I immediately sensed that I was supposed to do something very specific with it.
The next day, I acted on the divine unction from the previous evening and took a copy of Jesus Calling to the hospital.
“I brought you something,” I said with a smile, handing it over. “This will help you so much. When you feel up to it, read this.”
I asked God to let the anointed and beautiful words minister to and soothe her soul as they had mine.
Well, when I spoke to Mom the next day, she was ecstatic, enthusiastic and so appreciative. She sounded like a different person!
Mom told me she felt much better and closer to God. I knew the devotional was a tool the Lord used to assure her of His nearness at one of the lowest points in her life.
I was grateful that God had answered my prayer.
In less than a year, He responded to another request of mine and brought Mom through her season of illness.
Today, she is cancer-free, living life fully and enjoying the comfort of God’s presence daily.
Friend, God still answers prayer.
Whether you need comfort in your spirit, healing in your body, rest for your weary soul, or breakthrough in some other area, the Lord will do it.
Right now, you may feel forsaken, cast aside and left in the wilderness like Hagar, the handmaiden of Sarai did in Genesis 16.
When Abram impregnated this female servant after he and his wife doubted their ability to produce an heir in their old age, there was strife between the two women.
The Bible says, as a result of the antagonistic relationship, Sarai mistreated the handmaid and she ran away.
So there Hagar was pregnant, rejected and desolate.
But God intervened. He pursued Hagar in the wilderness and told her the child she was carrying would be a boy named Ishmael.
That name means “God has heard," or "God hears."
Friend, the Lord is now pursuing you in your wilderness and letting you know, He hears you.
Hagar, whose name means “flight,” ran away from her problems, while the problem-solver ran after her.
He is a God who pursues those He loves. He never runs out of ways to reach you with His word, His love, His favor, His strength, His goodness, His grace, His blessings.
Think of all the days and ways He has lifted you when you were down, held you when you cried and came through for you when you needed Him most.
If you look closely at your life, you will see a picture of grace.
That same grace is available to you today for this situation, whatever that may be. Just call upon the name of the Lord.
To remind you of His nearness to you right now, I’m stirring Psalm 145:18 NIV into your cup of inspiration. It says, “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, know that you are not in this thing by yourself. The Lord has never and will never leave you nor forsake you.
Now, let us come into agreement for breakthrough in your life, as well as the lives of those who have asked to be included on our “Thoughtful Thursdays” intercessory prayer list.
While you read these requests and intercede for others, I believe God will meet your needs as well.
Anonymous wrote:
Healing for Ralston Keen from cancer.
Tasha wrote:
Dearest Sister Diana,
God has and continues to encourage me through your online ministry. I pray the Lord richly blesses you and family for your faithfulness and diligence. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
My prayer request is that the Lord will bless me with a new career soon and VERY soon, as I'm currently unemployed. There is a position that I've applied for with American Airlines that is perfect for my character, skill set and talents. Thus, would you mind please standing in agreement with me that this position is in the Will of God. I do know that if it is not, I won't receive it. That's why I pray the Lord will extend His hand of mercy and bless me with it. I truly just don't want a new job but an anointed and thriving career!
Additionally, I ask that you will also please pray for two other women who are unemployed as well. They are sisters to two of my best friends and, most importantly, Women of God. Their names are Yolanda and Vanessa.
I will continue to walk in faith and send out my resume. I know if I do my part, then our Heavenly Father can do His. Until deliverance comes to all of us, I will keep the faith and try to remain patient during our affliction. Thank You, Jesus for your grace and mercy!!!! Furthermore, thank you Sister Hobbs for being such an awesome ambassador of Jesus Christ.Linda wrote:
I am so grateful for this ministry as I often feel the need for someone else to stand in the gap with me as I pray for my situation and others. My granddaughter has seen another side of her grandmother which is very ugly and now she is very depressed and angry. I took her in about two years ago when she was raped and beaten by her uncle who has since died while in prison. Her father is the one who set her up for that pain. As a result of his act she became pregnant and aborted, more depression. So much more has happened in her young life that has not been good. The GOD in my family has been beyond anything I could have imagined. Now that her grandmother has turned on her she has really been leaning on us for everything and I don’t mind, I’m just so sad for the loss of the family she thought she had and now they are all gone from her life and all she has is our small family. Please join me in prayer for the depression to flee from her and for her to get in a place of peace with GOD. Be blessed.
Anonymous wrote:
Sometimes I feel all alone. I’ve been praying for my finances, career and relationships but it seems God does not hear my prayers. I desire a man of God but for some reason I’ve been single for 15 years. I have a Masters degree but I’m not in a higher position that I’d like or making the kind of money that I need to pay off my $170,000 student loans. I don’t have any friends male or female who I can call sometimes and who genuinely have my best interest. I’m trying so very hard to lean not to my own understanding and keep the faith. But, I have to admit sometimes it’s so hard and I feel defeated. Please stand with me in prayer. God has brought me through many, many trials and tribulations in my life and I’m so grateful. I feel so guilty right now for feeling this way.
Anonymous wrote:
I have been suffering with depression and anxiety due to infertility. Please join me in prayer in getting out of this fog. My home, relationships, work are all lacking due to this depression and I pray for a child that I can call my own, raising him or her in the best way possible to love the Lord and be a good citizen. Thanks.
Anonymous wrote:
Pray for God to give strength and trust in Him. I am making the decision to leave my very abusive husband.
Anonymous wrote:
I am a career missionary....husband depressed and it feels so heavy. My young adult children are finding it difficult in the US after being raised overseas. Please pray for us to see breakthrough, peace and provision.
Dianna you inspire me....every time I read your devotion, I feel you are in my head. Very anointed and real. I appreciate the encouragement. I too work with women....please pray for ministry to those in full time service of missions. Blessings and thank you.Anonymous wrote:
I would like to say I appreciate and love this site. So empowering! I would like to ask for prayer for an expedient recovery for Derwin O Johnson as he recovers from having surgery today. Also, prayers over my children; all children, (as well) and for myself and a very special friend in my life. Please pray for my family as we strive to stay strong in the word of God. Thank you.
Anonymous wrote:
I am writing in faith and asking those who believe in the power of prayer to pray for myself and my husband. I was recently informed that a job I just started three months ago is being terminated and I will be laid off. Prior to taking this job, my husband and I both had been seeking God about moving from our home city to Raleigh, North Carolina. This layoff which is set to occur at the end of the month seems like it could be the door of opportunity that we had been seeking. Please keep us in prayer that jobs/doors will open up for us in NC and we can begin our family below the Mason Dixon line! Lol! I am choosing to be still and stay close to the throne! Thank you all for your prayers! God Bless each of you abundantly!
Anonymous wrote:
Please pray for my daughter and her spouse of 18 months, she is contemplating ending her marriage for someone she knew in her high school in 1999 that she has rekindle a relationship with on Face Book. Please pray for all concerns. Thank you and God Bless
Moses wrote:
Shalom. I am unemployed for 12 months now and need a job breakthrough in order to take care of my family again.
Phillip wrote:
Please people of GOD help me pray so I may find a job and get established because some woman said to my family that we will never be employed in our family and all I see is my family members start work and later on stop working. This lady from mum’s family is a witch. Help please.
Ty wrote:
I'm praying for healing for my family and friends. Promotion on my job and the power to forgive within my heart.
Now let’s pray.
God, there are challenges in my life for which no manmade solution is sufficient, but thank You that Your grace is sufficient. Your strength is made perfect in my weakness. So today, despite the way my circumstances look, I call upon Your name and praise You in advance for answering me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with you. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.
