Prayer

[LisaLisa]

I was thinking about prayer this morning and I wanted to share with you guys what I was thinking about.

I"ve been praying for many many years. Mostly just the same old stuff, thanks for this and that, I need this and I need that, please do this and that, I would like for you to help me with this and that.....please and thanks.......... AMEN.

Seriously, that was about the extent of it. When you break it down to simple terms, like I did above, it's painfully obvious that these prayers were selfish, shallow, and one sided. And pretty much the only times I really PRAYED REALLY HARD was when I was in trouble and really needed help. More selfishness going on there.

Kinda like the friend that only calls when she needs or wants something from you. I was that friend, which really isn't a friend at all.

Then I hit rock bottom in my life, and really started to do some serious self evaluation, being painfully honest with myself about how I really feel about Jesus and evaluating my relationship with Him, and yes it was one sided, it was all about me and what can He do for me.

Real hard self evaluation is not easy, it's in fact quite painful when you strip it down and take a good hard look in the mirror. But, I did it, and some serious changes needed to be made.

My life was not in line with a person who really wanted to serve Him. It was time for me to step up and make some hard decisions, make some sacrifices, and clean up my life for Him. I started cleaning up my "house" and started changing the way I thought about Jesus, and started changing my thoughts, desires and eventually prayers.

My prayers evolved to become more of "what can I do for you" instead of "what can you do for me?". More of "help me to understand and do your will" instead of "help me to do my will".

That's when things really started to change, and He started working in my life, I would feel His presence and His blessings in all kinds of ways.

Of course there are still a ton of things that I need to work on improving and changing, and I do see these things and ask for help with changing them so that I can be the person HE wants me to be, not the other way around.

I feel such peace and strength now, through Him, but it didn't happen until I put HIM first above myself.

How about you?

 

[chimney55]

I was thinking about prayer this morning and I wanted to share with you guys what I was thinking about.

I"ve been praying for many many years. Mostly just the same old stuff, thanks for this and that, I need this and I need that, please do this and that, I would like for you to help me with this and that.....please and thanks.......... AMEN.

Seriously, that was about the extent of it. When you break it down to simple terms, like I did above, it's painfully obvious that these prayers were selfish, shallow, and one sided. And pretty much the only times I really PRAYED REALLY HARD was when I was in trouble and really needed help. More selfishness going on there.

Kinda like the friend that only calls when she needs or wants something from you. I was that friend, which really isn't a friend at all.

Then I hit rock bottom in my life, and really started to do some serious self evaluation, being painfully honest with myself about how I really feel about Jesus and evaluating my relationship with Him, and yes it was one sided, it was all about me and what can He do for me.

Real hard self evaluation is not easy, it's in fact quite painful when you strip it down and take a good hard look in the mirror. But, I did it, and some serious changes needed to be made.

My life was not in line with a person who really wanted to serve Him. It was time for me to step up and make some hard decisions, make some sacrifices, and clean up my life for Him. I started cleaning up my "house" and started changing the way I thought about Jesus, and started changing my thoughts, desires and eventually prayers.

For years, I was the same way with my prayers---me, me, me...And praying for the prayer requests of friends and families--but that was still asking Him for "stuff". Then I memorized the following verses: Philippians 7: 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. That's when I realized that my prayers were sadly lacking in thanks for what He had already done (and overloaded in petitions!) I also found through reading the Psalms (which were often like prayers) that many of them contained praise for the Lord, not because of what He's done for me, but for who He is and that He would even consider prayers for me. By focusing on Him that's when I found that He started changing my thoughts, desires, and prayers.

 

[blondeambition3]

I was thinking about prayer this morning and I wanted to share with you guys what I was thinking about.

I"ve been praying for many many years. Mostly just the same old stuff, thanks for this and that, I need this and I need that, please do this and that, I would like for you to help me with this and that.....please and thanks.......... AMEN.

Seriously, that was about the extent of it. When you break it down to simple terms, like I did above, it's painfully obvious that these prayers were selfish, shallow, and one sided. And pretty much the only times I really PRAYED REALLY HARD was when I was in trouble and really needed help. More selfishness going on there.

Kinda like the friend that only calls when she needs or wants something from you. I was that friend, which really isn't a friend at all.

Then I hit rock bottom in my life, and really started to do some serious self evaluation, being painfully honest with myself about how I really feel about Jesus and evaluating my relationship with Him, and yes it was one sided, it was all about me and what can He do for me.

Real hard self evaluation is not easy, it's in fact quite painful when you strip it down and take a good hard look in the mirror. But, I did it, and some serious changes needed to be made.

My life was not in line with a person who really wanted to serve Him. It was time for me to step up and make some hard decisions, make some sacrifices, and clean up my life for Him. I started cleaning up my "house" and started changing the way I thought about Jesus, and started changing my thoughts, desires and eventually prayers.

My prayers evolved to become more of "what can I do for you" instead of "what can you do for me?". More of "help me to understand and do your will" instead of "help me to do my will".

That's when things really started to change, and He started working in my life, I would feel His presence and His blessings in all kinds of ways.

Of course there are still a ton of things that I need to work on improving and changing, and I do see these things and ask for help with changing them so that I can be the person HE wants me to be, not the other way around.

I feel such peace and strength now, through Him, but it didn't happen until I put HIM first above myself.

How about you?

My experience/spiritual growth was pretty much identical. When I took the focus off 'me', He became my focus.
I must 'decrease' so He may 'increase'. Now, for His perfect will to become my walk... a work still in progress.

 

[jj2]

Here is a link to some pictures of our little football team. Take notice of the first one---it's the team praying.
The team has done this from the get go. You will notice that no school personnel is in the group, and not too many of the bystanders pray with them. It's not that those people would not like to participate, but they can't or are afraid to because someone will say something and bring it to an end.
Such a happy and sad story all at the same time.

The captain of our football team always invites other team to join in.

We are very proud of them, and they just won the quarter final playoff!!!

Dee-Mack Gets 40-39 Quarterfinal Win Over Clifton Central « The Snap - pjstar.com

 

[LisaLisa]

For years, I was the same way with my prayers---me, me, me...And praying for the prayer requests of friends and families--but that was still asking Him for "stuff". Then I memorized the following verses: Philippians 7: 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. That's when I realized that my prayers were sadly lacking in thanks for what He had already done (and overloaded in petitions!) I also found through reading the Psalms (which were often like prayers) that many of them contained praise for the Lord, not because of what He's done for me, but for who He is and that He would even consider prayers for me. By focusing on Him that's when I found that He started changing my thoughts, desires, and prayers.

That's a great scripture and great testimony! He really does change us from the inside out. I used to pray every night before I went to bed, most of the time I'd fall asleep in the middle of my prayer. I'm embarrassed to admit that alot of the time I viewed praying as a chore that needed to be done every night, along with turning off the lights, locking the doors and prepping the coffee for the morning. Then I'd lay down in bed and say my selfish prayers, and fall asleep in the middle of it to boot!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you even believe it?

Now I just pray whenever I feel like it, which is still everyday, but it could be anytime of the day. Now it's not a chore, but something that I enjoy. I still feel that my prayer life is lacking in some areas tho as I seem to say alot of the same things over and over. But sometimes I just turn up the speakers and sing out loud to God, and I believe He really enjoys this even tho I sound like a sick and dying animal...............LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[LisaLisa]

Here is a link to some pictures of our little football team. Take notice of the first one---it's the team praying.
The team has done this from the get go. You will notice that no school personnel is in the group, and not too many of the bystanders pray with them. It's not that those people would not like to participate, but they can't or are afraid to because someone will say something and bring it to an end.
Such a happy and sad story all at the same time.

The captain of our football team always invites other team to join in.

We are very proud of them, and they just won the quarter final playoff!!!

Dee-Mack Gets 40-39 Quarterfinal Win Over Clifton Central « The Snap - pjstar.com

Those are awesome pics JJ, did you take them yourself?

 

[LisaLisa]

My experience/spiritual growth was pretty much identical. When I took the focus off 'me', He became my focus.
I must 'decrease' so He may 'increase'. Now, for His perfect will to become my walk... a work still in progress.

I"m still a work in progress too, we all are.

 

[jj2]

Those are awesome pics JJ, did you take them yourself?

No I didn't. I'm a lousy picture taker---the family knows better than to let me touch a camera.

 

[chimney55]

That's a great scripture and great testimony! He really does change us from the inside out. I used to pray every night before I went to bed, most of the time I'd fall asleep in the middle of my prayer. I'm embarrassed to admit that alot of the time I viewed praying as a chore that needed to be done every night, along with turning off the lights, locking the doors and prepping the coffee for the morning. Then I'd lay down in bed and say my selfish prayers, and fall asleep in the middle of it to boot!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you even believe it?

Now I just pray whenever I feel like it, which is still everyday, but it could be anytime of the day. Now it's not a chore, but something that I enjoy. I still feel that my prayer life is lacking in some areas tho as I seem to say alot of the same things over and over. But sometimes I just turn up the speakers and sing out loud to God, and I believe He really enjoys this even tho I sound like a sick and dying animal...............LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know what you mean. I went through pretty much the same thing myself. I also do "popcorn prayers". (He hears those too! ) This is where right where you are you "shoot up" a prayer---no, thees or thous---just "Father, help!" (this person, this situation,etc. He knows what the situation is.)

 

[blondeambition3]

I know what you mean. I went through pretty much the same thing myself. I also do "popcorn prayers". (He hears those too! ) This is where right where you are you "shoot up" a prayer---no, thees or thous---just "Father, help!" (this person, this situation,etc. He knows what the situation is.)

Love this!

 

[LisaLisa]

Love this!

Me too! I do these "popcorn" prayers alot too!

 

[Saintscruiser]

I debated over posting this, but decided that the outcome is greater than how this might make me look wonderful, because I don't do this for me, but for the ones who need it the most.

When I hear a siren....doesn't matter whether it's police, fire, or ambulance.....I stop and pray for the victims not to die without knowing Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Then, I pray for strength for the loved ones to get through what lies ahead. Someone needs to pray for them, and I was impressed upon to do this many years ago. It could be the only prayers going up. You just never know.

 

[blondeambition3]

I debated over posting this, but decided that the outcome is greater than how this might make me look wonderful, because I don't do this for me, but for the ones who need it the most.

When I hear a siren....doesn't matter whether it's police, fire, or ambulance.....I stop and pray for the victims not to die without knowing Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Then, I pray for strength for the loved ones to get through what lies ahead. Someone needs to pray for them, and I was impressed upon to do this many years ago. It could be the only prayers going up. You just never know.

I didn't do this previously, but I'm going to do it now........ Thanks L.... you 'are' wonderful

 

[LisaLisa]

I debated over posting this, but decided that the outcome is greater than how this might make me look wonderful, because I don't do this for me, but for the ones who need it the most.

When I hear a siren....doesn't matter whether it's police, fire, or ambulance.....I stop and pray for the victims not to die without knowing Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Then, I pray for strength for the loved ones to get through what lies ahead. Someone needs to pray for them, and I was impressed upon to do this many years ago. It could be the only prayers going up. You just never know.

Wow! I had never thought about that before, but that is such a beautiful and loving thing to do that I"m going to do it also! I'm glad you shared that!!!!!!!

 

[chimney55]

I debated over posting this, but decided that the outcome is greater than how this might make me look wonderful, because I don't do this for me, but for the ones who need it the most.

When I hear a siren....doesn't matter whether it's police, fire, or ambulance.....I stop and pray for the victims not to die without knowing Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Then, I pray for strength for the loved ones to get through what lies ahead. Someone needs to pray for them, and I was impressed upon to do this many years ago. It could be the only prayers going up. You just never know.

This is a wonderful idea! I also pray that, if the family members/friends are not believers that the Lord use this to open their eyes.

 

[blondeambition3]

This is a wonderful idea! I also pray that, if the family members/friends are not believers that the Lord use this to open their eyes.

I'm going to be doing this now I'm telling ya! (I don't hear sirens where I live now very often.. in fact, hardly ever... but when I do now boy!)

 

[Saintscruiser]

This is a wonderful idea! I also pray that, if the family members/friends are not believers that the Lord use this to open their eyes.

Excellent point! I'll remember (I hope) to add that. There's a lot of sirens around here. Many are ambulances.

I have a funny for ya'll. Discussion with son when he was 13 and it was just he and me. I always kept a loaded .22 rifle under the bed. One day my son said:

"Mom, if someone broke in, you'd only shoot them in the arm or leg, right?"

"No. If I'm going to point a gun at someone, I'm shooting to kill. I have to keep us safe."

He pondered on that a moment. "Yeah, and I know exactly what you'd do afterwards as they bleed all over the place dying."

"What's that?"

"I can just see you walking up to whoever is there and saying, 'Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?"

I still giggle over that today!

 

[blondeambition3]

Excellent point! I'll remember (I hope) to add that. There's a lot of sirens around here. Many are ambulances.

I have a funny for ya'll. Discussion with son when he was 13 and it was just he and me. I always kept a loaded .22 rifle under the bed. One day my son said:

"Mom, if someone broke in, you'd only shoot them in the arm or leg, right?"

"No. If I'm going to point a gun at someone, I'm shooting to kill. I have to keep us safe."

He pondered on that a moment. "Yeah, and I know exactly what you'd do afterwards as they bleed all over the place dying."

"What's that?"

"I can just see you walking up to whoever is there and saying, 'Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?"

I still giggle over that today!

I'll be giggling over this for the duration of eternity! ....