Found on BasicJokes.com: “I had been teaching my three-year old daughter, Caitlin, the Lord’s Prayer. For several evenings at bedtime, she would repeat after me the lines from the prayer. Finally, she decided to go solo. I listened with pride as she carefully enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer: “Lead us not into temptation,” she prayed, “but deliver us some E-mail. Amen.” -Author Unknown
Everywhere I look, people are skeert. I see somber folks with worry lines on their faces and a nervousness that wasn’t there before. They’re worried about jobs, money, medical bills. They have fears about what the future holds and are unnerved by the uncertainty of it all.
That’s no way to be. The battle’s already been won.
Prayer is our most powerful weapon, and I say we use it. Don’t know who to vote for? Pray on it. Don’t know how you’ll make the house payment? Pray about it. Got health problems? You know the drill. The thing is, you can’t demand what you want and expect it to arrive wrapped in silver paper topped with a big red bow. Maybe the thing that you want isn’t what God has in mind for you. Ask, and expect answers. But understand that the answer might not be as you imagined.
Pray for your family, your country and yourself. Pray for strangers and folks you don’t even like. And if you need prayers, ask others to pray for you, too. You can even do it right here, in the Comments section. If your request is too personal to share with a bunch of strangers, just leave an ‘Unspoken’ prayer request. Folks can still pray on your behalf–God knows what’s what.
Don’t be shy; I intend to ask for some prayers m’self. ;0)
————-
Now then–for the folks whose teeth I just set on edge: If you don’t believe in God as I do, that’s your prerogative. Refrain from trying to convert me, please–use your own blog for your views. But I will ask you to entertain one last thought before you go.
If you’re right, prayer won’t hurt anything–it’ll make no difference. But if I’m right, it can make all the difference in the world. Is there something you really, really need?
Prayer Request: My Aunt Wanetta has survived both breast cancer and leukemia in the past. She’s now dealing with leukemia once more, and her doctors feel there’s nothing they can really do for her at this time.
I’d appreciate prayers for healing, for comfort and acceptance of whatever God has in mind. Thank you all.
Great post! I will keep your aunt in my prayers.
As I’m a member of the same cyber home Kelly belongs to I know of her Aunt Wanetta and I have been saying prayer’s daily, and will continue. May God be w/ her and do what’s in his will<3
Also I’m not a church go’er so to speak but I still pray from time to time and sometimes I feel guilty that I don’t pray everyday. But I still pray and feel that God will listen. I’m not trying to debate just questioning whether I should be worthy of prayer where I don’t do it on a daily basis? Help a guilty woman out. Thanks!
Ok, it probably sounds like I’m talking in circles here. I don’t pray everyday on a regular basis, but I have been praying on a reg. basis for your aunt Shark.
Ok, I’m not making sense to myself in that 2nd post. That should say “I’m just questioning whether I’m worthy enough for ‘God to answer MY prayer’s’? Sorry for all the confusing.
*wishing she knew how to make that blushing smiley*
You made perfect sense, Laura. And of course you’re worthy. None of us are perfect, that’s fo’ sho’! ;0)
Thanks Shark! I’m sorry I made all those posts. I just kept thinking of more I wanted to add after each post, then of course after reading them I was like wtf? I’m gonna have some mind’s going huhhh? What planet is this girl from? LOL
I really think your blog is great today, btw!
Jeff doesn’t believe in God (or the devil, that’s what they call atheist (sp?) I guess) and it really saddens me. :’(
I don’t get into the political part of it w/ him because I don’t know enough about the bible to back my opinions up and he actually does know a fair amount but still has other views all together. ughh.
Awesome post!
I’ll remember your aunt in my prayers.
I’ve been trying something new with my prayers for the last couple of weeks and it has made a world of difference. I wake up about 30 minutes before the rest of my family. I use the time to journal and read scriptures. I begin the session with a prayer of gratitude–I don’t ask for ANYTHING in that first prayer of the day, I just thank God for the many blessings I have noticed that I have. Once the reading and journaling are over I say another prayer before I plan out my day. In the second prayer I ask for any blessings I feel I need, pray for others, and ask for guidance in planning my day and knowing what would be most important for me to focus on for that day.
This approach has made a huge difference in my life!
Noooo problem, Frenchie. You’re welcome to visit and comment as often as you like.
I’m sorry to hear Jeff is an athiest. I wasn’t aware of that. I kind of like GotQuestions.org for explaining my belief system. Maybe it can help you, too.
Kween, I’m a firm believer in gratitude. My guess is God hears a whole lot of requests, which is fine as long as they’re balanced with thanks. We have so much to be thankful for. I really like that idea of quiet time before the family gets up. I may try that. Thanks!
Great post!
Boy, do I believe in the power of prayer. I’ve been a part of a police wives forum for about six months now, and we ask each other to add our prayer requests to each other’s lists each day.
I have never felt so watched over and blessed as I have in this past six months.
I will certainly pray for your aunt as well as you. Please keep me in your thoughts as I continue to search for the job God wants me to have to live and make a difference with my talents.
Thanks for the link Kelly. I’m going to add it to my fav’s and check it out tomorrow as I should be off to bed, like 2 hours ago. lol!
Hope it helps, Hon!
I think we all question from time to time if we are “worthy,” and I think in general this is a healthy thing because it means we are humble enough to acknowledge that we have room for improvement and that we must continually strive to be better humans.
But when I start to feel this way, I imagine a child wondering if they are “worthy” of their mother’s kiss on their hurt elbow, since after all it was the child’s fault for trying such a crazy stunt on their bike…
Of course we are worthy! And our mother is happy to give us the kiss! Of course, sometimes she also has to give us iodine, or have the doctor set our broken bone, or something else painful that does not match exactly with what we asked for or thought we wanted.
That’s why it’s good practice to look for the answered prayer in everything, no matter how far off the mark it may seem to our limited viewpoint…
What a great way to explain it, Elena. Well done!
Great post and very timely, prayers are so very comforting. Shark, your Aunt is in my nightly prayers. Laura, I don’t believe God “keeps score” on how often you pray or where. I believe all prayers are heard and we are all “worthy”. Kweenmama, that sounds like a very peaceful way to start the day. I also say a prayer of gratitude each night for all that I’ve been blessed with before asking for those that need prayers.
Thanks for letting me know you tried getting up 30 minutes before your family. I really do enjoy that alone time, and the time spent in prayer is well worth it.
;0)
Thanks to all for prayers for my aunt. At this time her doctors have stated there isn’t much more medical help they can give her. We’re praying for comfort and peace for her and her family whether God chooses to heal her or take her home.
Pray for our world. The boldness of those who hate God is astounding. They’re even launching ad campaigns to say so! It’s bad enough they’re so lost, but even worse–they’re spreading their message with in-your-face ads that the weak in spirit and impressionable can see. Check it out:
http://uglyassopinion.com/2008/11/12/one-nation-under-god/
Pray for our children to have the wisdom to know right from wrong and the strength to boldly follow through. They face amazing challenges in this realm–more than we did growing up. They need our guidance and our prayers.
I just realized I haven’t followed up on my own prayer request. My aunt was called Home just before Christmas. Thank you all for the prayers for her and her family.
Also–
Southergirl has requested prayers for her mother who is having medical issues. Please add her to your prayer list.
Rob could use prayers for a quick recovery to unexpected medical complications. Thanks God, he’s on the mend.
———–
Laurie could use prayers for her son and daughter in law. They just lost a child. I don’t think much can compare to that kind of grief. My heart goes out to them.
———-
Prayers of thanks for God’s continued care. In below zero conditions we have a warm house with running water, electricity and an abundance of food. Our family is healthy and supportive of one another. I hope it is the same at your home. It really is a lot to be thankful for!
Please pray for the folks dealing with fires in Australia. The damage alone is devastating, and many people have been killed. Pray for strength for the people fighting the fire, the victims and those in harm’s way. And pray for rain!
Prayers needed for our country and those who run it, as well as the other areas of our world. As difficult as the past year has been for the U.S., it’s still a palace compared to some places people are living in. The Lord knows where His help is needed, but we need to remember to also ask.
Have you said a prayer of thanks today?
Pray for our leaders from local all the way up to international levels. They need wisdom and guidance just like we do.
How about some prayers for Baley? Baley is a sweet little guy (under a year) with terrible allergies. He rubs his skin raw from itching, and has been to specialists who can’t seem to help him. Baley sure could use prayers to overcome his allergies!