But I Don't Know What To Say

When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.

Matthew 6:7 

 

Praying is one of the most intimidating things we can do most times.  Why? Because we aren't sure what to say or how to say it or whether we are using the right words in the right order or we're just not sure how to pray.  I've received quite a number of emails asking about praying and prayer and how to do it "right".  

 

Let me be plain, if you don't pray because you don't know what words to use, pray anyway, God knows your heart, so you're not trying to impress anyone with your words.  Be honest with Him.  Answer this question: How do you talk with your best friend? And I'll bet even they don't know as much about you as God does who loves you in spite of yourself.

 

Prayer, and this has been discussed before, is a conversation.  The best description of pray I have yet found is by a monk named Francois Fenelon:

  

"Tell God all that is in your heart, as one unloads one’s heart, its pleasures and its pains, to a dear friend. 

 

Tell Him your troubles, that He may comfort you; 

tell Him your joys, that He may sober them; 

tell Him your longings, the He may purify them; 

tell Him your dislikes, that He may help you conquer them, 

talk to Him of your temptations, that He may shield you from them; 

lay bare your indifference to good, your depraved tastes for evil, you instability. 

Tell Him how self-love makes you unjust to others, how vanity tempts you to be insincere, how pride disguises you to yourself and others. 

 

If you pour out all you weaknesses, needs, and troubles there will be no lack of what to say. You will never exhaust the subject. It is continually being renewed. People who have no secrets from each other never want for subjects of conversation. They do not weigh their words, for there is nothing to be held back; neither do they seek for something to say. They talk out of the abundance of the heart, without consideration they say what they think. Blessed are they who attain to such familiar, unreserved, conversation with God."

 

 

 

We Have A Choice!

Jesus knew what the Pharisees were thinking, so he said to them, “Every kingdom that is divided against itself will be destroyed. And any city or family that is divided against itself will not continue."

Matthew 12:25 

Abraham Lincoln said "A house divided against itself will not stand" which comes from Mark 3:25.  As we approach the Inauguration of the 45th President of the United States, let me ask you...Are we truly living in the "United States"?  Are we United?

I hear and read many comments, diatribes, opinion columns, and other communications, that would indicate that we are not, and have no intention of ever being united as a nation.  Have we wandered so far from God that we forget that HE is ultimately in control and sometimes He reminds us of that by allowing those we do not necessarily agree with to be in power over us.

For those who are wishing to boycott the Inauguration because you disagree with the person becoming our President, no worries, your presence will not be missed as much as you may think.  For those who wish to disrupt the Inauguration, I have to wonder if you disagreed with your parents did you disrupt their lives to try to get your way?

The point I am hoping you will see is this: We are a nation divided.  We have been for a long time.   And instead of becoming a people who prays for those who have been placed in leadership over us, we want to become even more divisive.  Let me urge each person who truly believes in prayer to offer thanks that we live in a country where we are still permitted to pray and also pray that God will change our nation's hearts to one of unity instead of divisiveness.

The best place to begin is with the face in the mirror and then extend that out to those you see every day and then extend that out to those who see occasionally.  We don't have to agree on everything to be united.  We start by agreeing to become united as people!  

Don't Stop!

Never stop praying.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

 

Think about the people you know.  

Think of the people you meet.  

Think about the people you like.  

Think about the people you have seen but may not know yet.  

Think about the people you know that you don't particularly like.

Think about the people who have hurt you.

Think about the people you have yet to meet.

 

Did you know we are to pray for them?  We are to pray about everything and for everyone!  Praying is a conversation with God.  When we keep the conversation ongoing, we are better able to navigate through this jungle called "life."  AND this conversation with God is to be honest, natural and real.  

 

As you are going through your day's activities, talk with God. And, no, God does NOT require that we speak to Him in King James English!  He wants us to talk to Him because we rely on Him for everything.  Everytime I see someone, especially if I am familiar with them, I talk with God about them.  Every time I go about handing out Tootsie Rolls, I am praying for each and every person.  Every time a person comes to my mind that has, or is, REALLY ticking me off, God hears about it.

 

Talk to God!  Just talk with Him.  He knows more about you that even you do, so nothing will shock Him or surprise Him.  Talk with Him and you will see your life change. 

It's Time To Pray

I tell you to pray for all people, asking God for what they need and being thankful to him. Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God. 

1 Timothy 2:1-2

I have followed some of the back and forth bashings of those seeking political office and their supporters, and I openly admit that I got caught up in the bashing too for which I ask forgiveness for my participation.  Today's verse stuck out for me because of the simple command Paul gives us: PRAY FOR EVERYONE! 

Consider this: we are never told to pray only for the people we like.  We are told to pray even for those who persecute us and treat us badly and even for those who hate us.  It's pretty easy to mouth a "Thank you God for this person I like and I ask your blessings on them."  

But what about the person we don't like?  "Father, this person and I cannot seem to get along yet You have caused our lives to come together for some reason I don't know yet.  Help us to open the door for true and honest conversation.  Help us to learn to tolerate each other and perhaps even like each other.  Reveal to BOTH of us why You brought us together."

Prayer is a truly simple, powerful and amazingly astounding force!  Through prayer, we can be humbled and taught to care for the people we once hated.  Through prayer our lives can change.  Through prayer we can find peace that our soul has sought for so long.  Through prayer WE can be changed!  And when we learn to pray for others, we will begin to find healing for the wounds we have kept open.  Prayer is a powerful force!

Simple Prayer

“Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Luke 8:48

When you think of prayer, does your mind immediately go to those blustery long dust-filled speeches?  Do you remember, with fear and trepidation, when "that person" was called upon to offer the Benediction and the grabbed the pack of the pew in front of them to launch into an hour long speech?  How about the prayers where "Father God" is every other phrase used?

 

Prayer is simple.  Prayer is a conversation with the One who knows you better than you could possibly know yourself. Peter, when he walked on the water at Jesus' invitation, and when Peter got distracted and started to sink, his prayer was very simple: "HELP!"  Sometimes prayers don't even have to be spoken out loud.  Remember the woman with the bleeding issue?  Her unvoiced prayer was "If only I can just touch the hem of his robe, I can be healed."  She worked her way to Jesus, and her prayer was answered.

 

Prayer isn't about how much we say.  Prayer isn't about having perfect grammar.  Prayer isn't about saying the right magical words so God will hear you.  Prayer is not for everyone else to hear.  If we aren't careful, prayer can make us feel smug because we believe everyone is impressed with our ability to articulate for hours on end (when actually they are just grateful that the prayer FINALLY ended).

 

Prayer is letting your heart speak!  It can be a quick as "HELP!" and it can be a simple as "fill me with Your peace."  Prayer is a conversation, so talk with your Father because He hears, not only our words, but the groanings of our spirit.

When? YES, WHEN!

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

  “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!
~Matthew 6:5-8

 I was part of a discussion group a few days ago.  The topic of discussion was "What Is The Best Way To Pray?"  Well, let me just say that several of the attendees got quite talky about the "proper" way to pray.  

     *     Some felt the need to shout and yell 'so God would hear' their prayers.

     *     Some felt the only way to pray was to repeat certain key phrases such as 'Father God' as if God needs to be reminded of who He is.

     *     One person got very specific: first, one must never attempt to pray in a comfortable position. We must pray in an uncomfortable position to remind us of our unworthiness.  Second, we must pray with the holy icons to remind us that we are praying.  Third, we must make sure others SEE us praying in order to encourage them to do the same.

Let me just say, my thoughts on the who prayer topic differed from most of the group, and will probably get my invitation revoked, but here are my thoughts on Prayer:

1. Notice that Jesus uses the word "WHEN" in reference to prayer.  Jesus doesn't say 'IF you pray', He says "WHEN you pray."  Thus, prayer is expected.
2. Jesus reminds us that LOUD public prayers are not needed.  God is not hard of hearing.
3. Repetitive words and phrases are not needed. Like the constant clicking of a pen, repetitive phrases and words are a distraction.
4. Jesus tells us to go away by ourselves.  Some versions say we are to go into the closet and close the door.  I prefer to go someplace quiet where I can focus.  This requires that I get up early so the noises of everyone's day starting don't become distractions.
5. Usually, my recliner is the place I choose to pray.  If I am uncomfortable, then that will become very distracting and my prayers will be far from sincere.
6. Jesus reminds us that God already knows what you NEED before you even ask.  He knows that you need forgiveness and what you need forgiveness for.  He knows what you need to make it through the day and already has a plan.  He knows!  So don't even try to fool Him.
7. Prayer is an ongoing conversation.  It's not just something you do at specific times of each day, it is a continuous conversation with the One who knows everything about you and loves you anyway.

 

Think about that for a moment.  Maybe even tell God "Thank You" for loving you in spite of yourself.