12 Days of Christmas Guest Post: When You Can’t Prayer, Remember by Aminata Coote

December 26, 2023 Leave a comment

Today, I’m starting a 12 Days of Christmas special series. For the next 12 days, I will share with you Christian authors and their Christmas books.

But, Christmas is over you say. Did you know that the 12 Days of Christmas actually runs from Christmas day until January 5th or December 26th until Epiphany on January 6th (depending on who you ask). So we’re going to keep the Christmas celebration going just a little longer this year.

Today, I’d like to welcome Ami Coote. She has a wonderful devotional for you and will tell you more about her Christmas book as well.

When You Can’t Pray, Remember by Aminata Coote

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV

Have you ever had a season where life throws you a series of blows? The kind of season where it seems as if every time you fumble to your feet, something else knocks you down?

In my experience, there are two ways we typically weather those seasons. The first one is my favorite. That’s where we lean into our relationship with God. We spend more time in prayer, reading our Bibles, or just sitting in God’s presence.

But there’s another reaction that sometimes happens when we go through a trial.

Prayer becomes impossible.

Maybe you pray, but the words don’t seem to go anywhere. Or you can’t pray because no words come. Or worse…you don’t want to pray.

If you try to explain how difficult it is for you to pray during these moments to other believers, some will encourage you to pray even though you don’t want to.

But you just…can’t.

You can’t dredge up the faith or the discipline to pray.

When the children of Israel got to the borders of the Promised Land, Moses called them together for an assembly.

The Lord had told him that because of a previous error in judgment, he would not make it to the other side.

But Moses knew his people would.

After leading them for 40 years, Moses had a pretty good idea of the condition of their faith. He knew where their pitfalls would come, and he probably foresaw some of the challenges ahead.

One of his final acts as a leader of the Israelites was to remind them of what God had done.

Moses reminded the children of Israel of everything God had done for them.

Some of the people who listened to his address would have lived through the events with him. Others would have learned it through their oral history.

To all of them, the message would have been the same: Remember what the Lord has done.

We’re good at remembering the bad things people have done to us (or what we have done to others). We’re not always good at remembering God’s faithfulness.

My friend, hard times will come. You will have seasons when it’s hard to pray. In those times, I encourage you to remember what God has done.

If you’re not sure where to start, read biblical accounts that highlight how God walked with His people.

Remember the times when He was faithful to you.

When it’s hard to pray my friend, remember.

In A Family for Christmas, Madison had experienced situations that made it difficult for her to pray. She doubted God’s faithfulness. She felt abandoned and forsaken. But when she remembered what God had done for her, she realized the truth. God had not left her to walk through her trials alone. He will not leave you to go through your difficulties alone, either.

Author Bio

Aminata Coote’s love affair with books began with an upside-down copy of Silas Marner. She’s passionate about helping women understand the truth of the Bible for themselves.

She writes stories that point to a God bigger than our failings and provides hope to others. Aminata lives in Montego Bay, Jamaica with her husband and son.

Aminata is also the author of several Bible studies and devotionals, including, Through God’s Eyes: Marriage Lessons for Women and Draw Closer: 52 Week Devotional Journal for Women.

Connect with her on her website, aminatacoote.com, or on Instagram or Facebook @aminatacoote. Learn more about her books at https://aminatacoote.com/books-by-aminata-coote/.