Prayer and The Land Between
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people. I Tim 2:1 ESV”
One of the most influential books I have ever read, other than the Bible, is The Land Between, written by Jeff Manion. The Land Between was the wilderness between Egypt and the Promised Land. A land, as Manion points out, where life is not as it once was, where the future is in question. It is the undesired space between more desired spaces. This “land” or period of time may include unemployment, organization changes/challenges, financial challenges, illness/disease, loss of loved one, family crisis, divorce, etc. “It is the place we don’t want to be. Nevertheless, it may be the best place for us and transforms us in to people of trust and people of God.”
Jennie and I have gone through the Land Between several times over the years. Some long, some short, some not too challenging, and some extremely difficult. We moved into another land between five years ago when we left Michigan to relocate next to Jennie’s parents in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. The land between was not the location, but what we were facing. We became caregivers for her mom who was struggling with Alzheimer and her dad who had other health issues. Although we had heard about caregiving from others, we were unaware of just how difficult this new land between was going to be.
In addition to the new caregiving responsibilities, Jennie and I both continued to work for the two medical mission organizations that employ us. My work required regular travels to the field. During the five years we have been in Tennessee, I have made 35 international medical mission trips and left Jennie home alone to run the ministry she works for and provide the needed care for her parents.
Anyone who has served as a caregiver understands this, but for those who have not, it is a responsibility that will take you to your limits and beyond. I attended a support group for dementia caregivers when we first relocated to Tennessee. I heard that 60% of caregivers have been diagnosed with depression. I think the other 40% were simply not examined. Probably the most emotionally difficult mission trip I have ever taken over the last 28 years was to Mosul, Iraq during the war against ISIS in March of 2017. Nevertheless, it still did not compare to the mental, emotional, and physical challenges that Jennie was facing back home. Furthermore, she often correctly felt that my trips to the mission field were vacations.
Based on the Israelite’s experience in the wilderness, Jeff Manion gives excellent insight on what to expect and how to survive. Moreover, he shows that these most difficult of times can actually be the things that teach us most about ourselves and God. Spiritual growth can be a benefit or outcome of the experience. God used a combination of the caregiving in Lawrenceburg and an experience in Iraq to reveal a significant deficiency in my life and the need to prayerfully work on improving this attitude.
Speaking of prayer, this is the primary motivation for writing this blog. Our prayers and the prayer support of many friends is how we survived and made it through this land between. Books have been written on the subject of prayer and the Bible is full of references, but Jennie and I would simply testify that had it not been for the prayers of others, we cannot imagine where we might be.
“Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints Ephesians 6:18 ESV”
Many of you have asked “what is next?” At this point in time, we have no specific plans and are not sure about what God has planned next for us. There will undoubtably be another land between in the future. Whether that land changes our physical location or just another life challenge, He only knows. We are confident, however, that He will see us through to the other side.
We appreciate and covet the encouragement and prayer support from you, our friends. “Brothers [and sisters], pray for us.” 1 Thessalonians 5:28
“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you 1 Samuel 12:23 ESV”