A Journey Into Prayer

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Week 9

God Speaks in the Silence

This chapter brings to my mind I Kings 19:11-12: "And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. "

That is one of my favorite places in the bible. I really like that piece of scripture. God doesn't have to shout, He doesn't have to make a grand entrance, He doesn't have to do anything, a small voice from God speaks volumes and great authority. And He doesn't even have to have us being quiet for us to 'hear' Him. When God wants to make something clear, when He has something He desires to communicate with us, He doesn't need the correct 'circumstances' to enable His voice to be heard. Most certainly, the concept is true...we do need to listen more than be yapping at Him, which I am very guilty of. But when God chooses to speak/communicate, NOTHING will hinder Him, of being heard. If there was something that Hindered God...it would therefore be BIGGER than God. The few times I've had the privilege of hearing God's still small voice, it was never during my 'quiet time' when I was waiting for Him to speak. We can not 'call God up' like some magic genie in a bottle, responding to our wishes, even when they are righteous wishes. I am amazed that God can communicate with us, with a still small voice, even when we are doing something - having a conversation with a person, not even thinking of God, etc. etc. I think one of the most amazing things was when God layed on my heart to invite a friend to church, and what was I doing when the still small voice came? I was playing flute during a practice session....not really thinking about Him.
"Be still and know that I am God"..could it be for more reasons than just to help God to communicate with us, and keeping his level of frustration down to a minimum? Could there be other reasons? what does everyone else think? Sometimes there are more reasons than just the standard and the obvious.

Holy Places

I can't say that I've ever felt the presence of Christ in a particular room, especially an empty one. I have met people who seem to exude the presence of Christ! Some people just always seem to be walking close to God as they go about their daily lives! I have also felt the presence of Christ when praying with other believers!

I agree, I don't think a particular room makes me feel closer to God. It is God Himself, His presence, is what makes all the difference. Christ was certainly a perfect example of our need to get away to spend time with God alone, in private. I am certainly not advocating skipping a prayer time with other believers, howerver, I do feel there are times when it would be better to withdraw from a prayer group to be alone with God instead. Especially if I would find myself rushing off to this prayer meeting or that one and seeing how little time I had spent being still and knowing that God is indeed God by spending time with HIM!
Renee'

God Speaks in the Silence

I have really experienced this during my time of taking care of an infant. During the early morning hours, I have felt God's leading in praying for different people including family members.

The time I was in the hospital and feeling low because everyone had gone home and we were waiting for Mark to get better. I know that God brought to my mind that He was there and would love my son better and more completely than I could ever do. How great God is and how merciful and gracious He is to even communicate with us! How foolish we are to even rush through our prayers or allow our thoughts to wander. I am so guilty of this. I am forever grateful that He continues to speak to me and allow me to come to Him.
Beth

God Speaks in the Silence

Yes, silence is a lost art as the author mentions on p.43. It is sad that today everyone seems to have something plugged into their ears~ be it cell phones or ipods, etc.

Yes God can speak to us anywhere and at anytime and yet He does tell us to "be still". He often speaks to us in the stillness, but do we listen and do we respond? Or are we too tuned into other channels. Listening and paying attention is crucial to being obedient when God speaks in His still small voice.

Holy Places

There are holy places where I sense God's presence and peace in a very real way. Seems personally to me it goes along with God speaks in the Silence. Zechariah 2:13 says, "Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for He is raised up out of His holy habitation."

Linda S.

God Speaks In The Silence

I do hear from God, but not usually when I am praying. As soon as I stop talking my mind starts to wander.
But as the day goes on he finds a way to tell me what he wants me to know. I will get a feeling or a thought or an answer and then I know God got his say.
That is when I need to listen.

Holy Places

The most holy place for me is in my yard and garden. I find nature to be Gods most awesome gift to us and when I am out in his creation I always know he is there.

Linda K.

God Speaks In the Silence

Reading this chapter brought to mind Ps 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God . . ." as many of you in this study have already mentioned. What really strikes me is the way this verse comes near the end of a psalm that speaks of all kinds of troubles - mountains being carried into the midst of the sea, troubled waters, shaking mountains, the heathen raging, kingdoms moving. In the midst of this we are instructed to be still before God and acknowledge his presence and supremacy over all things. Sometimes when I come to the Lord in prayer and my mind is racing, these verses help to calm me and make me still so that I can focus on Him.

Holy Places

Like Lisa, I can't really think of any place where I have particularly felt the Lord's presence based on that place. There have been times and experiences I've been through when the Lord seemed particularly near to me, but I can't tie them to location.

Gayle

Week 10

Things you do not know

This is a pretty exciting thought..."a glimpse of God's mind"! When you think about it, it makes sense that answered prayer gives us a glimpse of the Almighty Creator of the Universe.

I am so glad that "God does not limit answering our prayers because of our inability to ask" (p. 47). There are so many times that I'm afraid to ask, or that I can't even imagine enough to formulate the question! God wants to do so much through us and with us, we just lack the faith to ask.

Priorities

Renee', this chapter is for you! I appreciate your burden for the lost. My problem is that I look at situations from a temporal point of view, rather than an eternal point of view. The terminally ill Christian, from a temporal point of view is in bad shape, but from the point of view of eternity, is on the threshold of paradise! The unsaved person, is on the brink of eternal torment!

Which person is more in the need of prayer?

In Christ, Lisa

Things You Do Not Know

It's exciting when we see God answering our prayers in unexpected ways. It is evidence of God doing "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think . . ." Eph. 3:20. It is also proof that God is God, and we do not manipulate Him with our prayers.

Priorities

CONVICTION! I had to ask myself why I don't do more praying for particular unsaved people - especially in public. I guess there are three reasons, all of which I am ashamed to admit but will do so for the sake of honesty. First, I lack conviction (probably because I don't think enough about their plight). Next, I often fear that God will tell me to do something I don't want to do. Third, I lack faith that God will save them. There are things that I have no problem praying for in faith, but the salvation of individuals is another story. Obviously, I need a lot of help in this area.

Gayle

Things You Do Not Know

"Lord, I want to recognize the way You answer my prayers. I don't want to take Your mysterious ways for granted." Winston Churchill once said that those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it. I think it must be like that in our spiritual lives as well. If we do not take the time to be thankful for answered prayer and to make a note of how God has been faithful in difficult times, to what do we have to look when times are difficult again?

Priorities

Ouch! I'm afraid I often forget to pray for lost souls. I get prayer letters from missionaries, pray for them (the missionaries) and then promptly forget to pray for their requests - often the unsaved. My husband's family is completely unsaved, yet I don't even pray for their salvation too often! Even those of us who do not have the spiritual gift of evangelism are commanded to pray for those who are not saved - and that sure is easier than handing out tracts on a busy street corner. I think my youngest daughter may have the gift of evangelism, although it could use a bit of refinement. She often prays for her unsaved relatives & other unsaved people. She is also quite bold in telling others about Christ. This is where the refinement needs to take place! A few years ago when my in-laws were visiting she said, "Nana, you need to stop smoking or else you're going to die and go to hell!" May we all be so bold, but perhaps not quite so blunt.

Bethany

Sometimes it is hard to keep up and maintain my own faith, it takes constant vigilance. Then secondly as Gayle pointed out, I don't often want to carry out what is on my heart. Then finally, I lack faith that other people can tend the garden of faith even if they start seeing the light. Sometimes stepping up to the plate takes much courage & perseverance and energy.
Janine

Things you do not know

I am so glad my God knows me better than I. He answers so much that I haven't prayed for then I think, "I should have prayer for that!"

Priorities

I really like the idea of stopping myself (cause I could go on and on) about what I think I should pray for and asking God what He wants. This a frame of mind I have to purposely change to. I will try by his Grace.

In Him,
Michele

Things You do Not Know

God never ceases to amaze me as I "Examine His answers to prayers!" p.47 And I am so thankful that "God does not limit answering our prayers because of our inability to ask" p.43 I have found it so true also as the author notes on p. 48 and yes "He keeps on answering long after I even recognize it as His response to my prayer." How wonderful that "each answer to prayer is God's opening of the door to what HE intends to accomplish next in this World."

For years I prayed for and still do pray for our 13 grandchildren in the MITI prayer groups. Tomorrow our oldest grandson Peter, who is a freshman at Liberty University, is leaving with a group of other college students going to North Africa on a mission trip. Is this not a great and mighty event? God is at work in his heart! Hallelujah!

I say a big AMEN to the author's prayer at the end of this section...
"LORD, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE WAY YOU ANSWER MY PRAYERS.
I DON'T WANT TO TAKE YOUR MYSTERIOUS WAYS FOR GRANTED."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DO PLEASE JOIN ME IN PRAYING FOR PETER IN THIS MISSION VENTURE WITH AND FOR THE LORD OVER THE SPRING AND EASTER BREAK AT COLLEGE. PRAY FOR HIS PROTECTION, FOR JOURNEYING MERCY AND FRUITFUL TIME THERE FOR THE LORD AND IN ETERNITY.
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PRIORITIES

Yes, what another wonderful prayer
(P.49) " please fill me with what's burdening You, what is Your number 1 priority for me today."

(p.50) "Please don't stop praying for your sick members but ADD all those who are dying without Christ.-lost-unreconciled" "I do pray these will be reconciled to Christ"

Perhaps I do not pray this enough. But I must share that often when I pass by people when I am shopping or out and about- I do utter a prayer in my heart that God would open their hearts to the truth of their need of a Savior and then sent a mighty witness their way.

Thank you for your prayer for Peter this week. He leaves from Liberty U. tomorrow.
Linda S.

Things You Do Not Know

I keep waiting for a fax from God to let me know what will happen, but needless to say his fax machine is not working. Does anybody know his email address ?

I know when God answers my prayers, but I rarely stop to think about all he does for me that I never spend time praying for. Like seeing, hearing, walking, breathing and hairdye.

Priorities

I can honestly say I do not pray enough for the lost. I pray for them sometimes, but not on a regular basis. It is so much easier to pray for those you know, because you think of them so often.

Once I am home and out of the unsaved world, I tend to forget they exist, because when I am with them, they drive me nutty with their pettiness.
I must put more focus on this also.

I agree with Lisa, this is Renee and God bless her for it.

Linda K.

Week 11

Note to all: Keep Kathy's dad Andy (who is also Lois' husband) in prayer. He has hip surgery tomorrow (3/18). Kathy is in Indiana this week and next with her mom and dad.

God's Perspective of Answers to Prayer

Jeremiah 33:3 'Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
I am so glad that we have a God that I cannot completely comprehend! I like the way Evelyn describes God's answers as "unhuman" (p. 51). I must admit, I don't often think about God's big picture when I pray. I'm too often focused on my own little world. I need to get better at accepting God's answer to my prayer, even if it's not what I want, and focus on His big picture.

Bear One Another's Burdens

I really appreciate the prayer e-mails that Pastor sends out. I stop what I'm doing at work and pray for the request listed in the e-mail. It helps me stay connected to the body of Christ while I'm at work. I also appreciate that I can depend on others in the church to be praying for me when I have a need.

I'll repeat Evelyn's question to us on p. 54: "Do you have someone who will pray for you and for whom you will pray?" Think about it, pray about it, and see who the Lord brings to mind.

In Christ, Lisa

God's Perspective of Answers to Prayer

This is something I've been working on "getting" the past few years. How can God not be bound by time? We govern our lives by the things we do or don't have time for. He can do it because He's God. As Evelyn says, He never makes a mistake or misses the mark, being too early or too late with His answers to our prayers. How thankful I am for that!

Bear One Another's Burdens

How great to know that others are praying for us, and what a privilege to pray for others. I'm thankful for the opportunities He has given me to pray with others, one on one, or in a group. I do love our Wednesday evening gatherings. I'm looking forward to meeting with whoever can join us on Saturday evening, April 26th, when missionary Sandra T. will also join us.

God's Perspective of Answers to Prayer

Jeremiah 33:3 'Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'

I am so glad that we have a God that I cannot completely comprehend!

A few years ago it finally got through my thick head that if I could comprehend God, then He would be no more than I am...and what kind of a God is that? However, I still find myself going back to my old ways of thinking and becoming exasperated when I see or do not see God working in such ways that seem so illogical.

I like the way Evelyn describes God's answers as "unhuman" (p. 51). I must admit, I don't often think about God's big picture when I pray. I'm too often focused on my own little world.

We Christians are guilty of throwing "Biblical Terms" out there that really aren't from scripture...we've americanized them. Perfect example is what the author speaks of the last paragraph..."God always answers, but His answers are yes, no or wait." She says she's found God not to be that simplistic. I agree totally with her and that's an example of Americanized Christianity. We've coined certain statements as if they are in the bible and they really are not, and that is a perfect example she gives. The problem is we know these Americanized Verses better than we know God's own verses! and soon we have our own gospel written American style!

"God's Perspective of Answers to Prayer"...maybe we should rethink that title this way..."Our Perspective of answers to prayer." I'll speak for myself when I say that I want a quick fix answer and if God does not deliver with a quick fix answer...I am tempted to make up my own answer FOR Him. When my mother in law died, at first I convinced myself now, looking back, that God is God and He does whatever He wants. And this is true, yet God didn't seemed to be satisfied with the answer I had made up for Him. THerefore He would not let me rest. I want answers and I want them now so I can 'move on' (Americanized Christianity??) So now, 2 months later, God is still showing me things, dealing with me to see other things far beyond my original conclusion. Some of these things are related directly but many are indirectly related to her death. But this was God's call to show me things that I had no idea of, things that sometimes are even too difficult to put in to words. And yes, things that seem rather mysterious, and confusing and yet I am beginning to see were/are necessary. Yet I see through a darkened glass...sometimes the glass seems darker than other times! The danger was that I didn't want to spend this time as God has seemed fit. I wanted answers and I wanted to move on. Not only do I agree with the following sentence from Lisa, but I see sometimes these answers or God's movements are just so beyond me, but I need to focus on verses such as Ps. 42:11..."Hope in God...for I shall YET praise Him..."

Bear One Another's Burdens

I'll repeat Evelyn's question to us on p. 54: "Do you have someone who will pray for you and for whom you will pray?" Think about it, pray about it, and see who the Lord brings to mind.

I used to say that prayer is THE ultimate activity you can do with another person...to enter the throne of grace with someone who is of kindred heart as you. I suppose I still believe this...but I am seeing how mysterious prayer is. THis should not be a surprise, since God is a mystery to us so often...the older I get the more I see that the more I know, the more I do not know. And so the same about God...the more glimpses He may give me of Himself, the more I see the darkened veil over my eyes when I try to figure Him out. ...I see how little I understand of Him. More revelation of Him ..I become more aware of how darkened my vision of Him really is.
Renee'

God's Perspective of Answers to Prayer

There were some real insightful thoughts in this section. P. 51 (We need to see prayer from God's perspective.....How we grumble when we think He has not answered, when actually we have not recognized His answer)

I say AMEN to this thought!!!

P.52 God's omniscient thought process determines His answer to the prayers His earthly children pray, as well as all things those answers initiate. His answer always includes "Keep interacting with ME, My child. I have much I want to accomplish through your prayers."

This is so awesome to me!!!

I agree with the end prayer ~
Lord teach me to see things from Your perspective.
I want to accomplish the plans You have prepared for me.
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Bear One Another's Burdens

This section also spoke loud and clear to my life. Just lately I have had opportuniuty to have deeper conversations with my daughter. I do believe that she does realize more fully that "my communication system with God is always open as stated on p. 53 first paragraph.

Lately my daughter is one person I too can share the secret problems and needs of my life. It amazes me how God brought this about. God is so amazing. He works in ways beyond our expectations.

I pray also
" Lord give me a willing heart, so that I will always be available whenever someone needs to pray."
Linda S.

God's Perspective on Answers to Prayers

I love the fact that she talks about gods answers are not as simplistic as "Yes, No and wait". He wants something more. I do to! I want more of Him which comes from being in my prayer closet and Reading His word.

Bear One Anothers Burdens

My life is characterized by these relationships. So many are praying for us, and so many are prayed for by us. We are so blessed, Gods people are amazing to walk this life with.

Because He lives,
Michele

Week 12

The Nightwatch

�If at night you can�t sleep, don�t count sheep -- talk to the Shepherd!� (p.56)

Praying in the middle of the night is something I've been doing for awhile now. I usually wake up with someone on my heart. That's who I pray for (and then for anyone else God brings to mind). I don't know about you folks, but in the quiet of the night I find it's easier to listen for that "still small voice".

Wrong Motives

I'm guilty of praying for the wrong motives at times. It's so easy to pray for something that sounds good, but is not what the Lord wants for me. This all goes back to seeking the Lord's will, then conforming our thoughts and prayers to His will.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on these sections.

In Christ, Lisa

It is funny how God brings to us what He wants us to do at just the specific time of your life. I always have a lot on my mind and will wake up frequently. Sometimes I would pray, but most of the time I would plead with God to give me sleep. Since reading this devotional about Nightwatch, I have started using the time to pray for specific people, those whom I seem to forget. Knowing that the Lord will give me the strength that I need to get through the day is very encouraging. I pray that as I get more and more involved in daily work that I will remember that. I also found that it is a great time for me to sing (in my head) the worship songs that I have heard maybe on Sunday or during the car ride to school.

Praying with wrong motives was very convicting for me. I found that the Holy Spirit tugged at my heart with the one word - "ease". I know that I have been praying for current things in my life so that my life will be easier. Motives are very hard to change and I am glad that even with this, the Lord will help me change.
Beth

The Nightwatch

I can't remember any time when I've awakened in the middle of the night feeling a particular prompting to pray for someone. There have been, however, times when I've gotten awake in the middle of the night and couldn't fall back to sleep. I often take those opportunities to pray or go through scripture I've memorized. If I'm going to be awake, I may as well do something useful. Occasionally, though, things don't go the way I'd like. Recently I awoke during the night and started going through a portion of scripture that I've been memorizing. Unfortunately, I got stuck on a verse. It felt like the rest of the night I kept waking up (at least partially) and kept getting stuck at the same verse. When I finally got up in the morning, I felt like I went through a war! It didn't feel good at the time, but, in retrospect, I guess it's better to have an occasional night like that than to miss those opportunities to pray and think on God's word.

Wrong Motives

This chapter made me think. I suppose we can even pray for someone's salvation out of wrong motives - for instance if we want them saved just because we care so much for them. That sounds like a good motive, but perhaps that is selfish. This chapter has made me ask God to purify my motives in prayer.

Gayle

The Nightwatch

I can't remember any time when I've awakened in the middle of the night feeling a particular prompting to pray for someone.

Ditto. I have never been awakened with the sense to pray for someone in particular, esp. then as the stories go, to find out later that person desperately needed prayer and actually experienced a peace while I was praying. Has never happened to me. Glad to here I am not alone on this one.

There have been, however, times when I've gotten awake in the middle of the night and couldn't fall back to sleep.

Ditto. and I have gotten up and gone downstairs to pray and I am always blessed that I did so. I have been awoken at night though and God was impressing a thought or an idea to me that I had been grappling with...actually one time, I was wakened to a solution to an art dilemna I had, the answer? ...cheese cloth! ! and should I be surprised that the cheese cloth worked and it actually looked good, using the cheese cloth!!! I'm sure everyone is now rolling there eyes, but its the truth.

I often take those opportunities to pray or go through scripture I've memorized.

that has never happened! If I would take those waking moments to go through scripture I have memorized...well, a few seconds would have passed.

If I'm going to be awake, I may as well do something useful.

The authors story of how she would be in a panic if she didn't get 8 hours of sleep...I remember reading about DLMoody and how he would become so physically exhausted that he could not preach. Sometimes he would lay down on the stage area where he was to preach, and he would sleep or rest and God would raise him up and enable him to preach! and after he was finished he would lose that particular grace and was once again be exhausted. What a story of how God will give us the strength to do what He calls us to do. The mentioning of being active in the middle of the night reminds me of a story of Hudson Taylor, missionary to China. Because he didn't want people to think he was very righteous or overly zealous, he would have his time of devotion with God at 2:00 in the morning while everyone slept. He didn't want to appear self pious, so he would light a very dim lit candle and sit by it and read God's word. What a humbling and challenging story. Would I make such an effort and huddle by candle light over God's word??

- Renee'

The Nightwatch

Frequently I have awakened and prayed in the middle of the night and yet I cannot recall a specific instance where someone related to me the result of my praying. How wonderful when God does give one this experience.

Wrong Motives

Realizing the truth of Jeremiah 17:9"The heart is more deceitful than all else. And is desperately sick; who can understand it?" my motives perhaps at times are wrong. Often when I pray I ask God's will be done and not my will.

Linda S.

The Nightwatch -

I sleep like a rock at night and it is very rare that I ever wake up till morning.
But I am trying to learn to pray more for other people.
I have started doing it wth the emails I get from the church.
I pray right away when I read them.
For me it is a place to start.

Wrong Motives -

I long ago stopped praying for more things to add to my collections, of which I have many.
And then I turned the page and saw ease, comfort, personal satisfaction etc and realized lusts are not just things and now I have another thing to work on.

This book is so interesting to me.
I really thought prayer was the words you prayed.
I never knew prayer had more to do with yourself than anything else.
I find that a real eye opener.
Now when I talk to God, I don't worry about what words I use, I just try to do what I have been learning in this book.
I wonder if God has noticed any change, or if he is still waiting for it to happen.

Week 13

To Whom We Pray

James 4:8 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you"

I'm afraid that I'm guilty of rushing into prayer. When I think about what prayer actually is, "coming boldly unto the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16), then I do better with waiting and drawing near to God. I need to meditate more on the attributes of our God, and less on my small world of needs and wants. I need to remember that prayer is a precious privilege granted to me through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Praying in Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:10-20 has to be one of my favorite passages of scripture! It's so important that our armor consists of several parts, not just one. I like Evelyn's distinction between defensive and offensive tactics. And when we get to verse 18, there's that prayer stuff again! (Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; ")

We are in a war with Satan, and we need to keep each other in prayer. This week, remember Keith W., Ken R., Ken O. and Joyce B. in prayer as they spend a week in Louisiana doing construction work for Katrina victims.

Have a great week.

In Christ, Lisa

James 4:8 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you"

I'm afraid that I'm guilty of rushing into prayer.

I read this chapter last night before falling asleep. When I got up this morning, and went to spend time with the Lord, I felt rather ill at ease, not feeling content to be doing this with Him at the time I had allotted in my schedule. Lately I have been "off course" with what "I had planned to be reading this year" because God had other ideas. So I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do this morning. Some mornings I know just what I want to be doing, but this was not the case today. As I spent time with God and after some searching or maybe I could call it active waiting on Him (in opposition to what we may consider meditating....sitting with eyes closed, trying to focus on God in what we have conjured up in our minds as an act of meditating)

I did some scripture searching, and when looking at the clock after being ministered to by the Lord, in those deep nooks and crannies that take some time for the Spirit to penetrate in to, I saw that 45 min. had passed. Although we probably rarely if ever may find ourselves in a public prayer setting that allows us to seek Him and wait for HIs presence for 45 min., this mornings time with God reiterated the theme of this chapter with some additional thoughts. Although we may have only seconds or min. to let God make His presence known to us by allowing us to draw near to Him....it is a great, great blessing when we allow whatever time God He desires, to allow us to come in to His presence. This meditating on God is no parallel to eastern religions, where we would put ourselves in a state of neutrality or in a state of meditation - mindlessness. Could it be more of being in a state of vulnerability at the throne of grace, in great desire to be invited to come in to His presence, at HIS beckoning, and not our demanding of His presence because we have a right to draw near to Him. We would certainly not even think to just rush in and demand the presence of a dignitary, would we? How much more when we think of a Holy God....just re-read everything I just said, and I guess it was just a long winded agreement to what Lisa wrote below.

call for, to allow us in to His presence, to allow us to hear from Him, to allow us to be taught by His Spirit.When I think about what prayer actually is, "coming boldly unto the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16), then I do better with waiting and drawing near to God. I need to meditate more on the attributes of our God,

When Jim and I were first married, we visited Juneau, Alaska. During our stay we were on a boat tour of local glaciers. I have never experienced anything as such a state of awe. Words can't describe what it was like. A majestic state like nothing I will probably ever experience on this earth. Everyone was speechless, and it was so silent, as you would hear a piece of the glacier fall in to the icy waters, or watch sea otters lazily swimming by, or birds gracefully flying and swooping down with little effort. Only a fool would have looked away by some little distraction. I've thought of this scene many times and likened it to my prayer life with God. Being in the very presence of God is somewhat like what I experienced (on an extreme smaller scale) when I was in the waters surrounded by glaciers. What a fool I would have been, had I, being overtaken by the sights before me, whipped out my little sketch pad and pencil, and tried to imitate on paper what I was experiencing before my eyes. And how much more a fool had I after attempting to sketch what I saw, I most arrogantly had paraded this little sketch before all the others on the boat, saying.... look, look at what I've done! Look at what I drew! and people also being fools, had turned from the majestic sight before them, and began staring at my pathetic little sketch of something much more glamorous before them. That little imaginary scene has made me think that this is what I must appear like to God. When He beckons me to come in to His presence, instead of being overtaken by His Holiness and Majesty, I am too busy running at the mouth, telling Him all that I have done for Him! It would be like showing up at the great glacier scene with a little pathetic pencil sketch of such a scene, and expecting everyone to look at my efforts instead of the beauty before their very eyes. And so as Lisa wrote, getting my eyes off of earthly things and turning them towards the things of God Himself, and HIS kingdom.

Renee'

TO WHOM DO WE PRAY

p.60"WHAT GREATER PRIVILEGE COULD THERE BE FOR A HUMAN BEING than to actually draw near to the OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCIENT GOD, high and lifted up on His throne in glory?"

To often I lose the incomprehensibility of it all.
How AWESOME!!!
How true James 4:7&8 Resist the devil and he will flee from you. DRAW NEAR TO GOD, and HE WILL draw near to you.
Why are we frequently too busy to draw near to HIM?
When we take time and do this the WORD says HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO US. Hallelujah! Glory be to our Great God!

PRAYING IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE

How vital to remember and practice especially the offensive plays in this warfare.
This is how we rescue the lost from Satan's kingdom.
I want to stand firm against the devil's schemes.
I want to be a Christian actively doing something
-counterattacking Satan with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God -and praying.

Daily I make an effort to pray on my spiritual armor
so I can defend myself against spiritual attacks
and courageously be strong in my prayer counterattack against Satan.
Praise God for this provision!
Linda S.

To Whom we pray

Oh Lord help me be silent. Blocking out all that is going on around me, oh Lord, I am so undisciplined. I desire to be close to you to hear Your voice. My actions show otherwise. Have mercy on me Lord.

Praying in Spiritual Warfare
I have thought of defending myself and others, but very rarely pray to counterattack Satan. I am glad she brought this concept to light, may I grow in this area.

Michele

To Whom We Pray

I often say "only God is awesome", yet at times forget to respect our great and mighty and awesome God. I think I can just knock on His door and march right in, without taking that time to remember Who He is. And how little I am. How I need to take that time to wait.......to draw near to Him in total awe of Him.

I really appreciated Evelyn's thoughts and reminders in this chapter. God invites us to come, yes, but we need to take time to come with the right attitude.

Praying in Spiritual Warfare

Yes, how we need to remember each other in prayer. I Peter 5:8 says "Be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour".

I'm thankful for each of you, for our caring of each other as sisters in the Lord.

Heather

I love this verse, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. God is inviting us to come close. It reminds me of when I was a young girl and I would sit down on the couch next to my dad and he would put his arm around me and pull me close to him. I often think of God in the same way. I also relate it to the verse that we must come as little children...

I like to think of myself in God's presence and in my mind thank Him for the privelege, praise Him for His holiness, marvel at His love and compassion for a sinner like me. And yet He loves me. I sometime can't help but cry. I don't know any other kind of love like that.

I struggle with understanding "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit". It is the "in the spirit" part that I am trying to understand. For some reason I just want a deeper understanding to this. I don't want to just skim by it. I feel like there is something I am missing.

Any help?
Sue

To Whom We Pray

Too often I find myself rushing into God's presence in prayer. This tends to especially happen when I pray with others or when I have a limited time to pray (such as in my morning devotions). I'm thankful that I often have opportunity to come to the Lord at a more relaxed pace later in the day. At that time I find it helpful to begin my time with the Lord by focusing on scripture that helps me think about God's greatness such as Ps. 145, 46, Isaiah 40, John 1, or others. Often the Lord will use a word or two from one scripture to send me to another scripture passage showing me more of Himself. I find that exciting. Just this morning, I was focusing on Ps. 145. Verse 16, "Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing" got me thinking of God's Hand. With the help of a concordance I ended up in Ps. 16 "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." I found myself praising God for His sufficiency to fully meet our desires through the pleasures of being in His presence. Sometimes I then find myself short on time to bring my requests to Him, but I figure He knows my needs.

Praying in Spiritual Warfare

This chapter reminded me that only in the Lord can I stand against Satan. And . . . if I can only stand against Satan by God's power, the only way I could possibly make any counterattack is by God's grace and strength. I need that armor - I need that Savior!

Gayle

To Whom We Pray

Another interesting Thought.
I never thought about being quiet when getting ready to pray, but I am going to give it a try tomorrow morning. I usually just start talking and continue till I am done.

Praying In Spiritual Warefare

I have gotten pretty good at knowing when Satan is attacking me, even though I don't always realize it right away.
Once I do the battle is over because I talk to God about it.
Once Satan knows you are on to him, he has lost that battle.

But I need to work more on praying for others.
Saved and Unsaved.
I mean to, but on a scale of 1 to 10, I am a 1.

Linda K.