Changed by a Shelter and a Shadow

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”  Psalm 91:1 NLT

We all looked up after the “amen” and my friend said softly. “This is a sanctuary.”

No, we weren’t in a cathedral, but seated in my living room. Several friends and I had just finished our grandmother’s prayer meeting.  I’ve shared before that every two weeks, a group of grandmothers meets in my home and we pray for our adult children, grandchildren, and greats.

It’s been a privilege for the past two plus years to pray and thank God for the people we love most. Given our age, we like to say we are planting seeds for some trees we may never see. It’s an investment to see them thrive not only in the present, but also for the future and eternity.

In God’s mercy, and with our deep gratitude, He has given us some trees we do see—some budding and some in full bloom with answer after answer that honors God, changes their lives, and enriches others.

Women enter my home with concerns and sometimes anxious thoughts about circumstances, but leave with peace and God-confidence. As Psalm 91 says, we experienced rest as we met with the Most High God in His shelter.

Some requests are about life altering decisions. We leave with assurance that God is bigger than any problem or obstacle. Sometimes we enter with restlessness over lack of movement in a request that has been ongoing for years, but in voicing our prayer (again) and when another encourages us by praying about an aspect of a situation, we have renewed trust and peace in God’s perfect wisdom and timing.

Some of our requests have been met with “no.” That has given us one more opportunity to know God is wiser than we are and is working all things together for good in the life of those individuals (Phil. 2:13).

Psalm 91 tells us when you dwell in the secret place of the Most High you are under His shadow—His  presence. That’s where we were Thursday morning, meeting with the Most High God, seeing the shadow of Someone bigger than we are, who sees and hears us, knows what we don’t, loves our family more than we do, and the One to whom we are profoundly grateful.

That morning, once we finished praying, we sat for a few minutes and caught up on our usual life activities. We took a breath and said again, “This is the most refreshing time of my week.” Selah.

It was a gloomy day and I had candles flickering on my mantle. But that wasn’t the reason my friend said we were in a sanctuary.  Women entered my home one way and left another, connected with each other and changed by meeting with God that morning. His shadow was prominent.

What about you? As summer ends and the school year begins, consider forming a Grandmothers or Mothers prayer group. We  meet every two weeks and keep everything said and prayed for in confidence. We don’t spend time talking  about our requests then add a prayer postscript asking God to bless them. We pray scripture and sometimes in sensitivity if it’s not our story to tell, offer an “unspoken” request.

Temptations and influences surround our kids, teens, and college students with more waking hours spent with others, than at home. Parents need wisdom to navigate decisions as society changes. Meeting with like-minded and like-focused women in prayer is a gift. Why not be one who offers it to others? There are prayer guides to get you started here.

Share with us how you have been refreshed by praying with a partner or group.  Have you ever prayed a Bible verse and inserted a name, making it a request?