All in Prayer
We were hiking through a mountain forest in Colorado and we came to a flowing stream. At first, we did not see a way across without getting our shoes completely wet. We thought we would have to turn back. I quickly prayed… asking Jesus for help. We looked at the rocks again, and now could see a path of rocks that stood above the water. The rock path seemed to suddenly appear and we used those rocks to cross to the other side.
I used to think that God didn’t want me to ask Him to help me with the small things in life because I thought prayer was reserved for only the big things.
She sat in my lap admiring the stars and the moon—my three-year-old granddaughter. She claimed the moon as her moon then burst out singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star*. Little Caroline was awash with wonder, and her soul burst into song.
I wish I could have been at the showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel. The false prophets danced around the altar all day, desperately cutting themselves and begging their false god to pay attention to them.
Why be a psalmist? Are you struggling with dark thoughts and troublesome feelings? I strove this way for over forty years. I prayed but wasn’t honest with God about my feelings.
Division. It was tearing us apart again.
Are you concerned over division in your country, city, or neighborhood?
Division in the world, although sad, is more understandable.
But what about division in your own home or church?
Maybe even division in your own heart?
I quietly shut the door behind me. I needed to be alone… to pray.
My heart was hurting from a difficult conversation.
I needed to process.
What had just happened?
The school bus for elementary children didn’t stop to pick me up. I ran as fast as I could behind it, trying desperately to catch up. Nothing came out of my mouth. My arms were flailing in hopes of getting the bus driver’s attention. The worst thing? I didn’t have any clothes on! Fortunately, it was only a terrible dream. One that replayed into adulthood.
When you don’t know what to pray… because there are no words… what do you do?
I have learned…
Use God’s message to help you. That will be like a sword that God’s Spirit puts in your hand (Ephesians 6:17b Easy).
Is there a tougher learning curve than the one found in the school of prayer? Fortunately, we have a Teacher who understands His students and meets them where they are. In the case of fallen humanity, that place is their felt needs and limited human perspective.
Do you know someone who doesn’t know how to listen? I became acquainted with a kind man who worked at a grocery store I frequented. Every time he saw me, he would stop what he was doing and head my way.
In the first phrase of this verse David prays about his prayers. His desire is that his prayers would be like incense to God.
Open your Bible to the middle and there you find the hymnbook of God—those inspired songs full of praises and prayers. God inspired the psalms for many reasons, but one important reason is to enhance the worship of His people.
Ah, January—I love Januarys. Januarys beckon me to step back and consider the old year. I transpose my Canadian memories of crisp snowfalls to cover the muddy paths I’ve been over. I cry to the Lord: wash me, and I will be whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7). But then Januarys urge me on to chase the new with vigor: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).
The Holly tree in my front yard provided a favorite childhood secret place. Its tangle of branches allowed me access to a forked limb, my special sitting spot.
Do you like to share your dessert?
It can be a nice way to have a tasty treat by sharing a small amount.
But what happens when the group partaking becomes selfish… and the spoon almost seems a weapon?
Baby steps are so cute!
Little pudgy feet, wobbly, trying to move forward… step by step.
But think about spiritual steps… of the baby… of the mature.
As I think about what mine looks like, what about you?
Am I growing?
This is a good question to ask yourself.
Just like a flower growing up tall in the bright sunshine… in Jesus I grow too.
But are you?
I have sweet memories of walking through the back door of my parents’ home and finding them at the breakfast table, dishes pushed aside, Bible in front of them, and hearing their prayers for me and my family. Their boldness and fervor challenged me. Their tenderness humbled me. Their trust in the Lord gave me courage! What a precious legacy they left me! There is true comfort in knowing that someone is lifting you up in prayer to the throne of God!
