Thursday, October 29, 2015

Pray In Secret

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6

When I started my prayer room, I wanted it to reflect my existing prayer life. Colors of God’s glorious creation. Pictures of the family. Snippets of favorite quotes. Art that inspires and motivates me. I want to feel God’s presence when I walk into the room. And I do.

The closet feels different now. It no longer is a place for my clothes and shoes. Now it contains the essence of who I am in Christ. When I go inside, even if it’s to hang up freshly laundered clothes, I stop. It’s impossible not to. And I pray more.

It’s in the early hours of morning when I usually sit in my prayer room that I lift up prayers for all those on my list who need Jesus. It might be for a healing. Fresh words of encouragement. A means to move forward. Comfort from loss. Peace for a troubled mind. Self-control for those out of control. Mercy for those who don’t think they need it. Prayers for a wayward son or daughter. Prayers for those who don’t know what to pray for. Each day I sit with those written down needs, giving them to the only provider, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Every day I do the only thing I know to do. PRAY.



You may not want or need a prayer closet, but find a place out of distractions to pray and close the door to that secret place.

The key is to set up a time and place to pray. Then prayer will become as determined as eating or having that first cup of coffee.

God bless you all!


Friday, October 16, 2015

Don't Stall On The Whys Of Life



Do you remember reciting the basic elements of information-gathering questions used in writing?

Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?

My English teacher drilled them into us. “If you want to tell a strong story, make sure you answer these questions.”

Sometimes using these words in real life is helpful. Things happen and you try to backtrack through these words to see if you can figure out a life direction. Or . . . you're trying to determine a layout of how to attack and conquer a plan. These words are beneficial. At times.

What I’ve noticed recently is how people, including myself, get stuck on the word why. In fact, we skip over the other 5 words used to reason and describe and head right to the why. We eliminate the other words that help us process and understand.

Usually we resurrect a why during intense turmoil, misunderstanding, loss, hurt, and disruptive moments.

WHY?

In the delightful story “The Elephant’s Child”, the little elephant begins a journey of finding out the answers to his questions and he meets some very interesting characters. Some even alter the way he looks, but he perseveres to understand by using all the power question words.

But when we get stuck in the why, we go into a tailspin. When we get stuck or don’t know which way to turn, we need a way out.

“CALL GHOST BUSTERS!”

Well, that’s one way, but the outcome will probably cause you more angst.

How’s about calling on God? Try to turn those whys into a what.

What, Lord?”

What do you need for me to do in this situation?”

What are you trying to teach me?”

Pray for God’s intervention. Pray for Him to also take you through the how and where. When we do this, the whys of life don’t seem so crippling. It’s just one more stone to step over to get to where we need to be: in God’s grace, trusting Him with the answers.

God bless you always!


Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Wall Ball

When my brother was a young boy, he used to go outside, throw a ball at the side of the house, and spend hours catching, throwing and running after it. Sometimes I could tell if he was upset about something because he would throw that ball with all the strength his young body could muster.

Recently I realized I’m kind of doing the same thing. Not with a ball, but with life issues: disappointments, failed goals, insecurity, and uncertainty. I stand tall and make my declaration that I am done with a particular issue. I pray over it and throw that ball of concern to God. But instead of turning around and leaving with certainty that God would take care of it, I’d run as fast as I could to retrieve the very thing that was weighing me down.

I don’t necessarily do this consciously. But it’s pretty evident when I am overwhelmed and overburdened over the same problem that I’m still holding onto it. That’s when I realize I never gave it away at all.

Why? Do I not trust God to handle the issue? Am I that much a control freak? Do I fear God won’t handle it the way I would? Do I struggle with waiting and being patient on God’s timing?

Philippians 4:6-7 states, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything through prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus.”

By retrieving the concern, I’m losing the peace God has promised me. When I walk away from the burden, the peace promised keeps my mind settled on God’s will and His timing. I begin to see the things God places in my hand, those things he wants me to manage, and I know His blessing is attached to each for success. I can feel it.

Getting rid of the stuff I can’t control has allowed God to fill up my life with grander opportunities.
Remember the song “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”?

Oh what peace we often forfeit.
Oh what needless pain we bear.
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

I think I’m going outside and throw some balls of concern to Jesus. And, I’m not picking up one of them. Not this time. This isn’t a game. It’s my declaration that I do trust God to handle the things I cannot seem to manage on my own.

Do you have a ball of concern you need to throw to Jesus? If so, don’t snatch it back just to worry over it anew. Affirm that Jesus can handle your concern. Kiss it goodbye, throw it as hard as you can. Turn around and walk away. Jesus has a large mitt and never fails to catch everything we throw His way.

God bless you always!