About Prayer

[Guest mcm42]

This comes in response to a couple of things in my life. Where I feel totally sound in my Theology I am in constant battle to bring that theology from Head to Heart.

From the Knowing to the Doing. I post this because I'm sure I'm not flying solo in this area. I'm a go getter type of person, and I find that this causes me to struggle in the area of prayer.

Reading of pastors, and followers of old who were said to have worn the boards where they prayed, or who prayed every 3 hours through the night...

I fear that my convictions should be stronger in this area. Maybe you do too. the funny thing for me is that I can learn a principle, but I often struggle in applying that principle. I know I speak for more than myself in this area.

I barely spend time in prayer...I mean that! Even if you count the times at work I'm thinking about God... my prayer life is a joke in comparison to those of old. I often wonder, rather I know... that if I prayed more God would reveal Himself all around me...

Why, then does this not press me to pray? I do not know. I can tell you verse after verse, and scripture after verse yet prayer does not get applied in my life.

I suppose my fear is two fold. I've been in the position of faking my salvation... rather being decieved... and trying to be that which I was not... going through the motions for the eyes of man and not the eyes of God... and when I realized it I was ever crushed.

I guess when I think of devotions, and prayer (more so prayer) I think of the everyday works I used to do to help me believe in a salvation that I did not have. So now, when I seek to pray, I wonder, why are you doing this...is it for you or for Christ... Then, I argue with myself, back and forth, "do you pray this out of sincerity" so terrible is this situation that I soon argue myself into confusion.

I no longer know whether my prayer is true, or an act. Please refrain from such Sunday school answers as "God knows whether it's true or not" for this will only deepen the trouble. It is not my goal to discuss theology, for I dare say not a minute of my life goes by that I don't consider some doctrine or some belief or some scripture, I do not lack in this area.

What you may say I already know... I've most definatly heard it and your words will fall on a deaf ear. Don't let this keep you from extending you comments, but let it caution you not to post unless you've first really considered what you will say.

I juggle the thoughts of prayer... now as I look back on a life that is lacking. Could I only turn this drudgery of an act into the direction of Desired Passion I would be changed for life!

OH THAT I MIGHT LEARN TO SPEAK TO THE ALMIGHTY.

It is a terribly difficult thing is it not? Consulting the Almighty! For what shall I tell Him that he does not already know? Rather what will I ask that he hasn't already written in the sands of time? Ahh, but pray I must, to come into close communion with my holy father...

Maybe response is not needed... Maybe just maybe I had to preach to myself, only that I might learn from the knowledge that I have? Maybe I needed to express myself here... that I may step away from my knowledge, and look upon it with my own eyes! I do not know....

Let me know your thoughs on the whole thing

[tsth]

Let me know your thoughs on the whole thing

My thoughts were, that I was deeply impressed by your honesty and confession to yourself of what your heart condemns you of. I thought it is a good thing to be aware of this, and I pray that the Lord will draw you deeper and closer in desire for prayer. I will be praying for you this morning.

I will tell you that my prayer life completely changed after I started journaling. You might take a look at the journaling thread, under this section I believe. There was something very soothing about writing my thoughts out, as if I were writing a love letter to my Savior. It also was a blessing to go to the Psalms and use them as a place for example and expression for how I was feeling. The Lord always loves to hear His Word prayed and spoken back to Him. It is Him, and our love for Him is reflected by our love for His Word. Go to the Psalms, see what David prayed and use the Word to pray, there is something there to express anything you might be experiencing in the ways of emotion, pain, fear, anger, sorrow, disappointment, love, joy, adoration, etc.......the Psalms has prayers for every single one of those emotions and I can usually find a Word that expresses exactly how I am feeling.

I will not post my time spent in prayer, I will only say that you will be included in them this morning..........

Thank you for posting what you did, I know that prayer does not come easy, especially at the beginning. It didn't for me, it was extremely difficult as you mentioned above. I hope this will be an encouragement for others to contemplate their prayer lives as well.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[rafter]

Only to say you are definitely not alone in this. But even as I write this, I am convinced that it must change, not just for your sake alone, but others who need your prayers as well.

I know you were preaching to yourself, but you also were preaching to me and I am sure many others....... I pray that God will break this stronghold in your life as well as mine and many others......... Oh the blessings it will release.........

[traveller]

wow. You certainly cause one (me) to stop and think. I find it curious that knowing to have the right heart attitude all one has to do is go into the Word and seek God there and you will find Him. Yet, so many many times instead I go there to read. Simply put, sometimes I don't meet Him there, I go in alone. Prayer is the same way. Many times I pray out of obedience and duty. I have a certain time every day that I petition the Lord, talk to Him, be with Him. Yet, there are times when I acknowledge my desperate need for Him and then my prayers are real. At least, in my estimation.

I know what you're saying about the dedicated pastors of old wearing out the prayer boards. They communed with God because they enjoyed being with God to such a degree that they remained with Him for long periods of time. Reference Enoch who walked with God. They were so in tune with God that they were aware of His Presence in a mighty way. Imagine walking with a friend down an unfamiliar road. Without speaking you walk in step becasue of minor body movements and glimpses of direction changes and speed regulation. Imagine being so in tune with our FAther that we respond to His workings in such a way.

I apologize, I got off topic. Something about being in His Mighty Presence does that to me, even just discussing it. Do you think, mcm42, that you are intune with the Lord, even when you are not praying? Because all cliche's aside, I do believe that our walk with Him is like a continual prayer. When you say that you always have him on your mind, or His Word in your heart, are you not talking to Him in a sense?

wow brother. Your post has made my thoughts go off is so many different directions!! This will be on my mind all day. Thank you for your very thought provoking post! I apologize for my inadequecies in replying.

[cheercoach]

I talk to God all throughout every day.

It's the listening that I have a problem with.

[Guest shadow2b]

-wow brother. Your post has made my thoughts go off is so many different directions!! This will be on my mind all day. Thank you for your very thought provoking post!- I apologize for my inadequecies in replying.

-GEEEEEE--WHIZZZZZZ--TRAV-IF YUSE GOT THEM INDYQUEES THANGS--WHARr

-DO THET-LEEV PO-LILL-OLE ME--WAAAA-HAAAWWW-HAWWW-boo-hoo hooI IZs hart-brokeded-ohhh-woe is me

-woe-woe-woe is me--ALL jokin aside-sis-I am thinking TOO-very seriously

[tsth]

If I may, I'd like to add that if for no other reason, prayer is CRUCIAL right now. As I believe that there is a whole plan unfolding right before our very eyes, and if we truly believe that God is in control of this very plan and has a place for each of us to glorify Him in this monumental plan, we'd better take a look AT THIS PLAN! It is ALL within His Word, and only through prayer will we be able to be used as His instrument for the purpose He ordained for each one of us before we were born. If we do not pray, and ask to understand through prayer and His Word, we will miss something very GREAT that He is overseeing!

Please Lord do not pass me by, let me do what you have ordained for me to do in this time, for such a time as this, as you have written in Your Word! This is why I pray, I want to be used, and to be used, I must be listening and understanding what He wills for me to do, and to listen and understand, I MUST PRAY and ask for these things. Oh how I long to be in His will and favor during this time that is upon us. Seek Him Out while He can still be found!!!!

PRAY!!! PRAY!!!! PRAY!!!

Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[tsth]

The Devotion for today:

In the Garden That Night

GOING FARTHER WITH GOD

3/24/2004

He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed.

-- MARK 14:35

Some Christians are satisfied to have only a surface relationship with Christ. Others desire to share the holiest moments with Him. On the night Jesus spent in sacred prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, the people responded to Him in various ways. There were those who were so indifferent to Jesus that they were unaware He was even in the garden. Then there was Judas, who knew where Jesus was but was too busy with his own schemes to join Him. The rest of the disciples joined Jesus in the garden, but they were distracted by sleep. Jesus told them the urgency of the hour, but they did not comprehend it. There was the inner circle of disciples, Peter, James, and John. They initially prayed with Jesus, yet even they could not grasp the significance of the moment. Ultimately, Jesus prayed alone. He went farther than His disciples and prayed longer. At the greatest moment of intercession in human history, there was no one willing to go with Jesus and watch with Him. Throughout history God has looked for those willing to yield everything to Him and His desire to redeem a world. At times God has marveled that no one was willing to go with Him (Isa. 63:5; 59:16). The prophets seemed to grasp more than the common people, for while society carried on as though nothing were wrong the prophets agonized and wept over what they knew God was preparing to do. God is calling you to go deeper in your prayer life with Him. If you are willing to be the person Jesus can take with Him into the most sacred moments, you will experience things only the angels shared with Jesus in the garden that night.

[Jacqueline]

I pray or maybe you can say I talk to God throughout the day. I can't help it. Since I've given my life to Jesus talking to him seems so natural. I know that my co-workers think I'm crazy, because I'm alway thanking God for one thing or the other. How can I not give thanks when God is your father?

God Bless You

Jacqueline

[Guest mjohn]

I also prayer journal...

Just a spiral notebook with a written prayer...added to daily in a prayer time...

And, expecting God to answer these prayers and He does above and beyond anything I think, or expect...

He is able and He answers prayer...That is a Super Blessing...

And, in my notebooks over the years to see God Hand move on Your Behalf...

Beyond All Expected...Also, Praise Honor and Glory unto the Living God...

He supplies all my needs according to His riches in Glory...

Without Faith (prayer) it is impossible to please Him.......

Speak with Your Mouth...Things You hope for ...Things not seen...

Praise as You drive your car...in transport...Prayer...Shut off the radio and pray...

Seek Him while He may be found...Call upon Him while He is near...

He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him...

Blessings...and do good...MJohn