Simply Praying

Sunday’s Monday

This week has been one of those weeks when I can’t find enough paper to list my thanksgiving. Pat and I have a family member suffering with pneumonia and in the CCU area of the hospital, as well we have two very close friends that suffered heart issues this week and through a ton of prayer God gracefully answer by improving each of their conditions. Thank you, Lord, for your gracious and merciful action to our plea.

I decided this week through the influence of The Holy Spirit to study prayer and how to improve my prayer life. You see, I am smart enough to know that answered prayer is no fluke of this world, as well I understand completely that prayer is only possible through God’s ultimate grace. I look back on my life and see those times when my wailing and caterwauling was heard and answered even though I wasn’t and had no intentions of following Jesus. “But God” knew the plans He has for me and extended His grace and favor to me. Mind you not every (if any prayer) was answered the way I wanted, however today I see, the answers were exactly what I needed at that time to bring me to where I am right now. I find in Colossians 4:2 (NLT), Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. I have the Alert mind, as I am deliberate and intentional about entering in a conversation with Jesus and I do so with a thankful heart because I expect God to answer my request. One of my biggest stumbling blocks toward prayer has been how to I pray! I’ve heard and hear a lot of people pray and it is really confusing. Some spout King James English all over the place, some go for long periods, then there are those that try to quote the whole bible throughout their prayer. These prayers sound pretty and have validity however, this is not a requirement for prayer. Granted one can never go wrong in praying the scripture but it’s not a requirement in talking to God. Read Matthew 6:7-13 paying close attention to Matthew 6:8 (NLT), Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Once you become instilled with the truth that God is your Heavenly Father then you will understand that God’s desire to have a loving relationship with you over rides the worldly concept of right and wrong. Ever wonder why the lows in our lives are so memorable, it is during those times when earthly etiquette gets thrown out the window and the real you meet with the real God, in a one on one situation. There is no thought or fear of public view, correctness or presentation. It is just one crying out to God! It took a lot for me to become comfortable when praying in public. But one day God brought it to my attention that He has filled my life with great saints, to help me along His way in getting a full understanding of who I am in Christ. I am not created to be my pastor, or my mentor or my brother in Christ and neither were they created to be me. I am a unique, antique, a priceless possession of God and He loves nothing better than adoring me during our conversation. Hebrews 4:16 (NLT), So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. I have learned to simply talk to God through Jesus as if He was sitting next to me, just like I did my earthly father. As well I have discovered that wonderful feeling of praying with a room full of saints. Acts 1:14 (NLT), They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. Prayer is one the most powerful gifts that God has given man, when used as intended. Prayer is the greatest relationship builder ever used by man as it keeps us in tune with the will of God and each other. I read somewhere that watchful prayer makes one keenly sensitive to people and setting. 2 Corinthians 2:14 New Living Translation (NLT), 14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Pray alone, pray in crowds, pray often to the Father! Pray what is on your heart, in whatever words you have, toward being completed by and in Him! 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT), Never stop praying.

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!

COMMENTS WELCOME…pal249@hotmail.com…09/30/2018