"I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2, NIV).
John Wesley said-"God does nothing but in answer to prayer.
There is an old verse my Momma used to quote to me when I was a child that said-"Satan trembles when he sees, the weakest saint upon his knees'.
Prayer is an should be an integral part of every successful Christian life, but I'm going to be honest and tell you that prayer is a mystery, There are no pat answers or formulas guaranteed to work every time, yet we are instructed to ask...Luke 11:9 NIV says "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" and God answers, so it's saying "don't give up, keep asking" and I've seen it happen many times. It is important to remember two things, the first is God's "timing" is different from ours just because you don't get an answer immediately doesn't mean you won't get one at the right time. And the second is that God knows us better than we know ourselves and the thing we are asking for might be disastrous for all involved. He often has "another" plan for the situation.
We start with the basics: What exactly is prayer? There are times when all of us wonder if anybody really hears when we pray or are we talking to the air or the ceiling? Prayer is talking with God, it's as simple as that. We pray when we open our heart to commune with our God. Luke 11:9 encourages us to seek to communicate with our Heavenly Father. In any relationship there must be communication, without it the relationship declines and we lose "touch" with the other party. So it is with prayer. Prayer works, but God is neither Santa Claus or a Genie in a bottle...he will answer in His time and in His own way but He will answer. But if you have a relationship with Him He is more likely to answer, think about it, if you ask something of a friend or family member they are more likely to comply than a rank stranger. God is an individual and with feelings and emotions, it is better if you deal with Him as such. Read His letters (the Bible), talk to Him, (Pray) and listen for His voice he will speak to you in many different ways.
Time spent in prayer is important but don't be a clock watcher, even if it's only a few minutes a day you need to establish a prayer routine. Set aside time everyday to be alone with the Lord. Find a quiet, comfortable place and form a habit. Sometimes people start out with unrealistic goals and end up abandoning their attempt at prayer. Do what you can it will get easier in time. I like to pray at night before I go to sleep, and then again in the morning (I don't always make this one depending on the cares of the day).
A prayer journal is a good thing, it helps you organize your thoughts and keep record of what you've asked and when the answers come. You will be surprised as you look back over time and see the things that the Lord has done.
Music can help set the mood and bring you into a spiritual place where prayer becomes easy. Sometimes your mind will tend to wander, and music will help you focus on the Lord. But be careful and don't let your prayer time become a "listening to music" time. Let the music take you into worship and prayer but don't let it take the place of your communication with God. If the person you love just sat around and listened to romantic "mood" music but never actually "talked" to you-would you feel like you had really spent time with your loved one? You might think "If he loves me why do I have to ask? Why doesn't he just give it to me?" Sorry, "Georgie" that's just the way it's set up, like I said God is an individual and He wants relationship, in the asking you draw closer to Him. When you make a request of anyone you draw closer enough for them to hear. And watch your manners, remember to say please and thank you.
It is important to set aside time for God. We are busier now than we ever have been. Play Christian music in your car or listen to preaching while you drive or do your work. There are many good Bible programs or Podcasts. You can listen in your car or your phone. There are apps that will read through the whole Bible for you while you drive or exercise. There are bits and pieces of time you can find throughout your day, Pray in your mind for your loved ones while you stand in line or for the people who are waiting with you there. Take advantage of red lights and whatever other opportunities that come.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to-"Pray without ceasing", that is more possible now than ever before. Pray with your kids before you send them off to school ask God's protection and help with their schoolwork. They will remember your effort and the fact that you loved them and prayed for them will be important. It is with great satisfaction that I see my daughter pray with her son every morning before he goes to school even as I prayed for her.
But try to put aside some special time, mornings are best if you can, it sets a good tone for the rest of your day. Read some Scripture and maybe listen to some Gospel music while you get dressed and spend some time prayer.
It would be impossible to list every source of the words and information that make up my blog. They are a culmination of books I've read, sermons I've heard, lessons learned from life experiences and information gleaned from the internet, a lifetime of Bible study and a stint in seminary, as well as things learned at my Mother's knee. I have done my best to teach through this medium the things I felt that God would have me to say thank you my friend for your kind attention.
Always in Christ.... -Jireh's Girl
John Wesley said-"God does nothing but in answer to prayer.
There is an old verse my Momma used to quote to me when I was a child that said-"Satan trembles when he sees, the weakest saint upon his knees'.
Prayer is an should be an integral part of every successful Christian life, but I'm going to be honest and tell you that prayer is a mystery, There are no pat answers or formulas guaranteed to work every time, yet we are instructed to ask...Luke 11:9 NIV says "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" and God answers, so it's saying "don't give up, keep asking" and I've seen it happen many times. It is important to remember two things, the first is God's "timing" is different from ours just because you don't get an answer immediately doesn't mean you won't get one at the right time. And the second is that God knows us better than we know ourselves and the thing we are asking for might be disastrous for all involved. He often has "another" plan for the situation.
We start with the basics: What exactly is prayer? There are times when all of us wonder if anybody really hears when we pray or are we talking to the air or the ceiling? Prayer is talking with God, it's as simple as that. We pray when we open our heart to commune with our God. Luke 11:9 encourages us to seek to communicate with our Heavenly Father. In any relationship there must be communication, without it the relationship declines and we lose "touch" with the other party. So it is with prayer. Prayer works, but God is neither Santa Claus or a Genie in a bottle...he will answer in His time and in His own way but He will answer. But if you have a relationship with Him He is more likely to answer, think about it, if you ask something of a friend or family member they are more likely to comply than a rank stranger. God is an individual and with feelings and emotions, it is better if you deal with Him as such. Read His letters (the Bible), talk to Him, (Pray) and listen for His voice he will speak to you in many different ways.
Time spent in prayer is important but don't be a clock watcher, even if it's only a few minutes a day you need to establish a prayer routine. Set aside time everyday to be alone with the Lord. Find a quiet, comfortable place and form a habit. Sometimes people start out with unrealistic goals and end up abandoning their attempt at prayer. Do what you can it will get easier in time. I like to pray at night before I go to sleep, and then again in the morning (I don't always make this one depending on the cares of the day).
A prayer journal is a good thing, it helps you organize your thoughts and keep record of what you've asked and when the answers come. You will be surprised as you look back over time and see the things that the Lord has done.
Music can help set the mood and bring you into a spiritual place where prayer becomes easy. Sometimes your mind will tend to wander, and music will help you focus on the Lord. But be careful and don't let your prayer time become a "listening to music" time. Let the music take you into worship and prayer but don't let it take the place of your communication with God. If the person you love just sat around and listened to romantic "mood" music but never actually "talked" to you-would you feel like you had really spent time with your loved one? You might think "If he loves me why do I have to ask? Why doesn't he just give it to me?" Sorry, "Georgie" that's just the way it's set up, like I said God is an individual and He wants relationship, in the asking you draw closer to Him. When you make a request of anyone you draw closer enough for them to hear. And watch your manners, remember to say please and thank you.
It is important to set aside time for God. We are busier now than we ever have been. Play Christian music in your car or listen to preaching while you drive or do your work. There are many good Bible programs or Podcasts. You can listen in your car or your phone. There are apps that will read through the whole Bible for you while you drive or exercise. There are bits and pieces of time you can find throughout your day, Pray in your mind for your loved ones while you stand in line or for the people who are waiting with you there. Take advantage of red lights and whatever other opportunities that come.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to-"Pray without ceasing", that is more possible now than ever before. Pray with your kids before you send them off to school ask God's protection and help with their schoolwork. They will remember your effort and the fact that you loved them and prayed for them will be important. It is with great satisfaction that I see my daughter pray with her son every morning before he goes to school even as I prayed for her.
But try to put aside some special time, mornings are best if you can, it sets a good tone for the rest of your day. Read some Scripture and maybe listen to some Gospel music while you get dressed and spend some time prayer.
It would be impossible to list every source of the words and information that make up my blog. They are a culmination of books I've read, sermons I've heard, lessons learned from life experiences and information gleaned from the internet, a lifetime of Bible study and a stint in seminary, as well as things learned at my Mother's knee. I have done my best to teach through this medium the things I felt that God would have me to say thank you my friend for your kind attention.
Always in Christ.... -Jireh's Girl
from Tennyson’s Morte D’Arthur
More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of.
Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friend?
For so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.― Alfred Lord Tennyson
More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of.
Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friend?
For so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.― Alfred Lord Tennyson