I Pray

I begin my day and end my day praying for God’s blessings in my life and in the lives of others. My family knows that I pray for them daily but many on my personal prayer list do not know that I am praying for them specifically by name and have been doing so for years. My prayer is that The Lord would bless each life and that He would make Himself known to every person that I lift up to Him in prayer. I know that He hears me. The scriptures assure me that He will honor my faith filled believing prayers. I do not have to see what God is doing in their lives. I just know that He is at work in each life.

In addition to those who I continually pray for, God asks me to pray for those who are facing times of challenge, suffering, and pain. My heart becomes burdened for hurting loved ones, friends, and acquaintances. I feel their tears as Christ feels my tears. The more one loves God, the more love and compassion we have for others. Christ has said that if a person doesn’t love his neighbor, who he can see, he does not love God, who he does not see. Also, when we help or care for any one in need, we do it as unto the Lord. The opposite is also true; when we are able to help someone and don’t, it is as if we have ignored the Lord. We are to be God’s hands, feet, ears, eyes, and voice in the lives of those we love and those whose path we cross. The Holy Spirit speaks to my spirit. He directs me and I want to be obedient. At times my prayers are what He calls me to do. Sometimes I feel so helpless and prayer is the only thing I am able to do. If I tell someone that I will be praying for them; I pray. We should not promise someone that we will be praying for them if we do not intend to carry out our promise.

Many years ago I was introduced to Jabez in the Bible. He appears in the Old Testament book of 1Chronicles, chapter 4. Bruce Wilkinson wrote about Jabez in his little book, “The Prayer of Jabez”. At that time I started praying The Prayer of Jabez for my self, my family, and everyone on my prayer list. Jabez changed the course of his own life by praying a one sentence prayer for himself to God. The Bible tells us that God heard his requests and granted them. God is no respecter of persons and will hear us too. Jabez, named for the fact he was born in pain, didn’t want distress and pain to be his destiny. He asked God to answer four requests. He prayed, “Bless me indeed, Enlarge my territory, Keep your hand upon me, and Protect me from evil or from causing pain”. I ask God to bless me, to grow my faith and use me, to always be with me, and to protect me from harm or from doing harm. He continues to bless me as He hears my prayers. He says that He will grant my requests and I believe Him. The promises in his word are true.

I believe and I pray.

Continuous Communication

It is a beautiful late summer Saturday. I am having my first cup of coffee as I sway in my swing and experience the peace of the morning. Some crickets are chirping and a gentle breeze is moving through the trees. The corn field across the road from our home is high and almost ready to be harvested. I have a view of a Church Steeple in the distance and a chipmunk near by in the grass. God is everywhere. I feel His presence as I talk to Him and quietly sing songs of praise. I sing, “In my life Lord, Be Glorified, Be Glorified, Be Glorified Today”. I also ask Him to Be Glorified in the lives of my family as I lift them up in prayer and whisper each name. He hears me and He honors my prayers. Then I sing “Father, I adore Thee, lift my life before Thee, how I love You. Jesus, I adore Thee, lift my life before Thee, how I love You. Spirit, I adore Thee, lift my life before Thee, how I love You”. God inhabits the Praise of His People! (Psalm 22:3)

As I come to Him in prayer, I ask Him to Bless me, Keep me, Fill me, Teach me, and Use me. “Live in me Lord today”.

I come to you this morning and lift up my prayer,
Bless me Oh Father, today and always,
Keep me Oh Jesus, forever in your arms,
Fill me Oh Spirit, that I might feel your power,
Teach me Oh Lord, so my faith can grow strong.
Use me Oh God, in somebody’s life today,
May someone who is searching be able to see You, in me;
I want to walk closer to You.

I Thank You Lord for hearing my prayer.
Now help me Dear Lord, to be still.
I want to hear what You have to say.
My prayer isn’t formal, it is just conversation.
I know that you care about the little things and the big things in my life.
You tell me to “pray without ceasing” (1Thessalonians 5:17).
Lord, you and I are in continuous communication;
I can always find You where I am. (Matthew 28:20)

As I love, learn, and listen to your Word,
I hide it in my heart.
This You have asked me to do (Psalm 119:11).
I hear you speak to me throughout my day.
Your Word, hidden in my heart, speaks to my mind, and You answer my prayers.
Lord, show me Your Way, so I might live as You say.