Consolation for Moments When You Have No Words to Pray

Romans 8:28The Message (MSG)

26-28 Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

Good Day!  Are you feeling that you have no words to pray, or don't know what to pray sometimes during this journey of TTC'ing, or having a baby in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit).  I totally understand, because I've been there as well.  As a matter of fact, before this new year I was in a place of feeling like I wanted to pray, but couldn't because I felt so discouraged.  I felt like God had forgotten about me, and wouldn't allow me to have our second child naturally as He's promised me.  I was just silent most days.  I would have thoughts of prayer, but barely anything would come out of my mouth.  My spirit knew what I was feeling, and trying to convey to God, but my mouth just couldn't form the words.  So, most days I would cry.  All I could say during those moments was "God I trust you."  Nothing more; nothing less.  Even though I was struggling to trust Him, I still had to, for my own sake, remind myself to trust Him by saying this aloud!  My fertility and preemie mom sisters: I know all too well what you're going through emotionally, and if you're a believer how some days it's easier to pray than others.  

My encouragement today is just simply this: when you're at a place and moment in your TTC journey, or NICU journey where you're feeling tired and no longer have strength to pray, or a desire to-just know that the Holy Spirit goes to God concerning you.  He knows ALL that you cannot put into words, and presents it to our Father.  There will be days when you feel that you're tired of praying, and can no longer utter a word to pray because you just don't know for what to pray. You don't even know what you truly feel at the moment. During those moments, sit quietly before Him, and say nothing.  Just sit and listen.  He'll whisper to your troubled heart what you need to hear.  But rest at His feet, listen, and allow the Holy Spirit to intercede to the Father on your behalf.  Romans 8:26-28 MSG, tells us that the Holy Spirit does our praying IN and FOR us-making prayers out of our aching groans, and knows our pregnant condition.  "Pregnant condition" means something different in the natural and spiritual.  From a natural perspective it is whatever you're currently dealing with as it relates to your fertility: unexplained infertility, secondary infertility, miscarriage, low ovarian reserve, PCOS.  From a spiritual perspective it is where we are spiritually-spiritually barren, and unfruitful, or hurting.

Therefore, take comfort in knowing that the Holy Spirit will keep us present before God during our prayer less times. Be sure and confident that every detail of our lives, including TTC struggles and prematurity of birth struggles, comes as no surprise to Him.  He will work all of what you're going through out for your good, although you may not see how during this difficult time. Just trust your Daddy (heavenly Father).  He cares, knows, and is working on your situation.  Sisters, don't believer the lie from the enemy (satan) that says, "God doesn't care," "God is punishing me."  That's so far from His nature, and the truth of who He is!  He's a God that says, "Be fruitful, and multiply," "I give the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother," that's what God is saying about you.  

I love you all!
I'm praying for you!

Tiffany Finley

What I’ve Learned from Hannah’s Story

I recently read Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel chapters 1 and 2, and God revealed to me that I don’t need more faith, but a STRONGER faith in Him. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) states that “faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”  And, I must admit, at times I’m not so confident in God’s ability to completely heal me of infertility, and be able to conceive my second predestined miracle (baby) naturally. In true transparency- I have moments where my faith is weaken by things that I see, and experience in the natural.  So, I have to be intentional about feeding and strengthening my faith with the word of God; hence, my most recent reading of Hannah’s story.  You see, Hannah was one of the two wives to Elkanah.  He also had a wife named Peninnah.  Peninnah had children with Elkanah, while Hannah was childless.  Penninah would provoke Hannah to tears.  In other words, she would anger and negatively stir up Hannah’s emotions because she was infertile/barren.  Peninnah would constantly remind Hannah of what her body couldn’t do and of her childlessness, because she had children. 

Don’t we too experience this same thing in our lives?  We’re trying to believe God for healing, to conceive, for a healthy baby to be discharged and brought home from the NICU, but Peninnah, “aka”: infertility, pcos, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, prematurity etcetera, is staring us in our face and constantly reminding us of our condition, our diagnosis, and our situation.  However, during those times we have to be like Hannah.  She went to God; to be in His presence, and prayed.  She talked to God about her deepest longing for a child, specifically a son.  She was in great anguish-distress, grief, heartache, and sorrow.  Hannah was heartbroken because she was in a low place spiritually and naturally-spiritually because she felt God had forgotten about her, and naturally because during that time to not be a mother was frowned upon.  So, Hannah went to the temple and sat at the feet of God, and prayed.  She poured her soul out to God in prayer.  She prayed to God in FAITH, and asked Him for not just a child, but a son who she would vow to give back to Him to be His servant.  1 Samuel 1: 11 says, “she made a vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death.  He shall not drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.”

After praying silently and crying out to God, Hannah got up, ate food with her husband Elkanah, and was no longer sad.  I’m sure that at this point, Hannah felt lighter, confident, and reassured in her spirit and in the God that she poured out to in prayer.  Sisters, she was no longer sad because she made an exchange.  She exchanged her hopelessness, sadness, shame, anger, hurt, and barrenness for FAITH!  She made a decision to leave it all at the feet of God, and let her faith rise.  She believed what she prayed for would come to pass-she would have a male child.  She was just that confident in God, thus in my mind silencing Peninnah’s voice that had been in her ear torturing her all those years.  Fertility sisters, we have to do the same.  We have to take our broken hearts and spirits, present them to God in prayer, and have faith that he’s going to bless our womb with our predestined one (baby)!  Preemie sisters, we have to go to Him in prayer about your preemie’s condition while in the NICU and beyond.  Pour out to Him your fears, worries, needs, doubts, and then let Him fill you with strength and faith like only He can give. We have to silence the Peninnah (pessimistic voice of infertility and prematurity).  Hannah prayed, (1 Samuel chapter 2), and during her prayer it was as if she was reminding herself of who her great God was, as stated in 1 Samuel 2:2- “ there is no Holy One like the Lord, no one beside you, there is no Rock like our God.”  She prayed a prayer that reminded herself of God’s nature, and who He truly is.  We have to do the same by going to Him, and praying in such a way that reminds our spirit of who God is…that reminds our spirit of what He’s already done in our lives!

Needless to say, God answered Hannah’s prayer (1 Samuel 1: 27-28).  She had a son and named him Samuel meaning “asked or heard of God.” She gave him back to God as she’d vowed.  And get THIS, not only did she have Samuel, but she went on to later have 3 more sons, and 2 daughters!  God is such a God of abundant blessings! He gave her more children; more than what she asked for, or even expected. 

So, here’s my question for us:

Infertility and prematurity of birth is our Peninnah that’s angering us, and reminding us of what we don’t have and telling us that we won’t be a mother, or that our baby won’t make it home from the NICU.  How will you silence that pessimistic voice of Penninah?  How will you silence her?

I’ll tell you: FAITH, AND PRAYER!!!

Hannah went to war and fought through prayer and had faith that her prayers were not only heard, but that God would answer.  She walked away with so much faith that she finished her praying, and went to get something to eat.  If that doesn’t show confidence in God! She was unbothered at that point!

Therefore, here is my takeaway from Hannah’s story:

1)      Don’t listen to the voice of pessimistic Peninnah (infertility/ prematurity)! It may try to provoke you, depress you, make you bitter, and angry, but DON’T listen.

2)      Do like Hannah and cry out to God! Pour out our soul (mind, will, & emotions) to Him.  Remind yourself of who God is during your prayer time.

3)      Believe and have faith that what you are praying and asking for He’ll do!

4)      After praying, no longer be sad, but be GODFIDENT (God confident)!

5)      Repeat as needed!

I love you all!

I’m praying for you!

Tiffany Finley

My Prayer of Declaration Over Infertility

Hello sisters! I felt strongly in my spirit that I needed to share my prayer of declaration with you ladies.  If you're currently following me on periscope (@TiffanyFinley go follow if your aren't already for live encouragement daily!), I shared in the month of September that I was going to write my very own personal prayer over infertility, and declare that my PREDESTINED ONE is on way. I also encouraged my sisters that were believing God for healing, and the gift of motherhood to write their prayers of declaration as well, and to read it and say it a least 2-3 times daily until it began to rest and germinate in their spirits. 

So, if the concept of a prayer of declaration is new to you let me explain what it is:

"Decrees and declarations are POWERFUL prayers to manifest heaven on earth (creationswap.com).

The word declare comes for Hebrew achvah, meaning "to make know" or "to set forth an accounting." (Charismamag.com)  

Declarations are when we use our mouths to speak what God has already spoken,and given to us, i.e healing, motherhood, salvation, and eternal life. 

"Decrees are a tool by which we cause the truths of the heavenly realm to be manifest into the natural realm, so they become reality." (Charismamag.com) 

The English definition of decree is "a statement of truth that carries the authority of a court order."  In the spiritual realm when we decree God's provision and blessings over our lives, then anything purposed against our provision and blessing can have no further say in the matter." (Charismamag.com)

Therefore, we need to decree the word of God, and declare our gift of motherhood through our prayers.  When we do this we speak scriptures that decree healing over ourselves and our preemies, and declare becoming a mother and a healthy baby.  We cause the truths of the heavenly realm to be manifest into the natural realm.  

Here's my very own declaration.  I pray that it helps you create one for yourself, so that you can begin declaring and decreeing what God has already said about your fertility, your becoming a mother, your healing, and your preemie's healing:

My Prayer of Declaration Over Infertility

God,

I thank you for being the creator and giver of life. I thank you for being a God that opens and closes my womb.  Lord, I thank you that I don’t have to worry about my fertility and becoming a mother because I can pray instead, about all things, including motherhood.  I thank you that when I pray about this situation I will experience your peace that will guard my heart and mind (Philippians 4:6-7).  You will keep me in perfect peace as I trust you, and keep my thoughts and mind fixed on you (Isaiah 26:3).  God, I thank you for leaving me the gift of peace of mind and heart.  Your peace is a gift the world cannot give me.  So, I will not be troubled or afraid (John 14:27).  Lord, I also thank you for giving every childless, barren woman a family, making her a happy mother.  So, I thank you in advance for making me fruitful, fertile, and healing my womb; giving me a family (Psalms 113:9). 

Your word says in Hebrews 11:11 that it was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old.  She believed that God would keep his promise.  So God I come putting my faith in you to conceive a child, although I’ve been diagnosed with infertility.   I believe just like Sarah that you will keep your promise.  And, just as the angel told Zechariah, “Don’t be afraid!” I will not be afraid Lord because I know you have heard my prayer just as you heard Zechariah’s prayer for his wife Elizabeth.  I thank you in advance for the great joy and gladness, and how I will rejoice at my baby girl’s birth (Luke 1:13-14)! Lord, therefore, I will not fear bad news; I will confidently trust you to care for me (Psalms 112:7).  Lord, I thank you that your word says to don’t be afraid, for you are with me. It says don’t be discouraged, for you are my God.  You will strengthen me and help me.  You will hold me up with your victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10). So, God I will not walk in fear, worry, or doubt, but I will trust you lord.  I will not be afraid!

Father God, just as Hannah stood praying to you, and asked you to give her a baby boy. You granted her request and she gave him back to you Lord, and her baby boy belonged to you his whole life (1 Samuel 1:26-28), I too am praying and asking you to give me my baby girl.  I believe that you will, and I give her back to you; even now, before she’s been conceived. 

Lord, I serve you: the One and ONLY God.  I thank you for your provision over my life, and protecting me from illness.  Your word says that there will be no miscarriages or infertility, and you will give me a long, full life (Exodus 23:25-26).  So, I speak life to come forth into my womb in Jesus name.  I bind up, and rebuke the spirit of infertility, and command it to leave my body in Jesus name!  Daddy, I thank you that I am going to be healed, fruitful, and conceive! In Jesus mighty name!

Amen!

Now, fertility sisters, go begin speaking life over your womb and healing in your body!  Preemie sisters, go begin speaking life over your preemie.  Then, watch God begins to move, heal, and manifest your predestined one!  God desires to give you the gift of motherhood, and he desires that your gift is whole, healthy, and complete.  Trust Him not to do the possible, but to do the IMPOSSIBLE in your life!

I love all of you!

I am praying for you!

Tiffany Finley