Help! My Prayer Life Is Stuck!

April 2, 2017 10 Comments

Is There Trouble with Your Prayer Life?

Ever have times when your prayer life was stuck? I know that I have felt this way more often than I would like to admit. There is a dear friend of mine whose prayer life seems dry. Hence, I thought I would write some words of encouragement about this problem.

First, this is often an attack because Satan wants me to be ineffective. And the best way to do this is to keep me from praying. Prayer is vital to the health of a believer. When I stop communicating with my heavenly Father, there becomes a problem in the relationship. The same thing happens when I fail to keep in touch with my parents and/or friends.

My heavenly Father desires a love relationship with me. 1 Peter 5:6-8 clearly states that He cares for me and wants me to cast all my cares on Him. How can I cast my cares on Him if I am not praying? I need to be in communion with Him for His steadfast loves will never fail me.

Furthermore, when God feels far away, it is I who have moved. For God is constant and never-changing. His love for me is too vast to fully comprehend. In life, there have been many let downs by others or betrayals that can make it hard to accept God’s amazing love. But He is faithful and will accept me time and time again if only I turn to Him. His love is like none other.

Here’s Help to Get Unstuck!

Therefore, let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Even when we don’t feel like praying, just offer up a simple prayer. Ask a friend to pray with/for you. Iron sharpens iron. Use scripture as a basis for your plea. The Psalms are a good place for petitions. I especially like Psalm 16.

Psalm 16

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
²I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”

⁵The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
⁶The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

⁷I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
⁸I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Ever felt like your prayer life is stuck? Here’s encouragement for you.

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Prayer Is Vital

Sky Is Falling! Need Help!

May 31, 2016 No Comments

Ever Felt Like Saying, “The Sky Is Falling!”

I am sure that you probably have. Like times when you felt like what you or a friend were going through was too much! And you wanted to cry out, “Why me, Lord?” or “Help me, Lord, I don’t know what to do.” Today, I have that sky is falling feeling for several of my friends. Yet, I know that God is greater than all of this.

I have friends and family who are either facing a recent cancer diagnosis, their own illness or a spouse has taken a turn for the worst. I cannot begin to imagine how they are feeling right now. If it were me, I would definitely feel like things were falling apart. My heart is heavy for my friends.

Personally, I am well and for that I am thankful. Yet, I found myself at loss for words when I went to pray for them. I know that my God is able to do more than I can possibly ask, so I cried out, “Help them, Jesus.” The Bible tells me that Jesus said that there would be trouble in this world but to take heart for He has overcome the world (John 16:33). Jesus is my rock in this storm of life and He knows what is going on in the lives of my friends.

I am called to be the one who stands in the gap for my friends, in prayer, trusting that God will supply all their needs (Philippians 4:19). The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. After all, there is nothing my God cannot do.

However, should you feel stuck check out Help, My Prayer Life is Stuck.

A Call for Help!

My prayer for my friends: Dear Merciful Father, hear my prayer. You know the friends that I care about and You love them with an everlasting love. Surround them with Your reassuring presence and increase their strength. Fill their loved ones with Your peace that passes all understanding. May they trust Your all-sufficient grace. I pray that You would supply all their needs according to Your steadfast love. In the name of Jesus.

Having the feeling that the world is caving in? Prayer is vital to sustain you.

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Coin Flip to the Other Side

February 16, 2016 No Comments

Want to be Ineffective?

That’s Easy

Don’t Pray.

Ever given much thought to the other side of the coin. Meaning what if one did not pray?

What if the persistent widow in Luke chapter 18 did not persist in her request for justice? She would not have been heard and justice would not have been met.

What if Elijah had not prayed as mentioned in James 5:16-18? The drought would not have been lifted and crops would not have grown.

What if Hannah had not prayed for a son in 1 Samuel 1:10-11, 19-20? Samuel would not have become the great servant of God that he was.

Had I not prayed to receive Christ and for Him to control my life, I would not be where I am today. God has made all that I have possible. I can honestly say that I have the desires of my heart and I know that God will do so much more because He is more than able to do all that I ask and more. The other side of the coin is a scary place.

The Apostle Paul encourages me to pray without ceasing and with thanksgiving 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. He also encourages me to rejoice always. I imagine it like a conversation with a close friend. I don’t always get it right but if I were to put my best effort into it. I would pray upon rising giving thanks for a good night’s rest and for the safety He provided. I would talk to Him as I go about my day with thanksgiving for safety in traffic. At night, I would ask forgiveness for the sins that I am guilty of and ask for the strength to do better the next day. So with this in mind I will seek to do this in my comings and goings.

So let me ask you, do you want to be ineffective or effective as a believer in Christ?

My Prayer: Dear Lord God, help me to be continually in prayer with You and giving thanks in all circumstances. Forgive me when I fall short and do not make a point of talking with You especially first thing in the day. Amen.

Prayer Is Vital

Spiritual Power Tool: Prayer

February 12, 2016 No Comments

Want to See Lives Changed

Miracles to Happen;

Then Pray!

James 5:13-16;

¹³Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. ¹⁴Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. ¹⁶Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

I feel like a spoiled Daddy’s girl by my heavenly Father. I have been praying for miracles in people lives that I know for two reasons. One so that they may know that God is real and two so that they know that God loves them. He has answered my prayers for a friend living in another state struggling with kidney troubles. I can tell He has answered my prayer from her Facebook posts. I prayed with a dear family member before surgery and asked others to pray for her also. She let me know that the surgery went well. Yeah God! They may not have fully comprehended God’s love but I did. I am not the miracle worker I just pray to the One who is. I pray believing and knowing that He will answer.

There is a lot here in the passage above.

In trouble Pray

Happy Sing songs of praise

Sick Call the elders of the church to pray…in the name of the Lord.

Prayer offered in faith will make the sick well.

If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.

Confess your sins to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

The prayers of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

A righteous person is one who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and because of what Christ has done has been made right before God. As believers our prayers are powerful and effective.

So are you using your power tool of prayer?

My Prayer: Dear Lord God, I sing praise to Your Holy Name for You are a good, good Father. You are worthy of all power, wealth, wisdom, might, glory, honor, and blessing. Thank You for answers to my prayers. Continue to show Your love to my friends and family. Amen.

Prayer Is Vital

Morning & Evening Prayers

January 6, 2016 No Comments

In Reflection of the

Just Be Postings

I composed the following morning and evening prayers in reflection of the post of “Just Be.” I do hope that you may also find them to be of value to your prayers. God alone has the power to help me be forgiving, compassionate, kind, and loving. I have to choose to commit all my life and will into His care and control. I truly desire to be all that God has created me to be.

Morning Prayer

Dear Father in heaven, hear my prayer.

I ask that You would make me in new in my attitudes that I would be kind and compassionate to those I come in contact with as well as those I love. Cause me to be an imitator of You. Help me to walk in love and to make the most of every opportunity. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, direct me away from all foolish talk and give me the right words to respond. May all I say and do count and encourage others to do the same. All glory and honor be Yours. Amen.

Evening Prayer

Dear Father in heaven,

Search my heart and show me where I failed to be peaceable with my neighbor. Reveal to me any bitterness that I might confess it and replace it with forgiveness, grace, and mercy. If I were quarrelsome today, forgive me and help me to be kind to everyone especially those on the road with me. Restore to me the desire to seek righteousness, love and peace. All these I ask that I might bring You glory and point others to You. I need to forgive as You have first forgiven me in Christ. Amen.

[Be Holy] Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
1 Peter 1:13 NIV

Prayer Is Vital

Prayer for The New Year!

January 2, 2016 No Comments

Make It Count!

It is a new year which beacons a new start or beginning. I recently read Bronwyn Lea’s blog (see link above) and she helped me to change the way I pray as well. In her blog, she said that one word changed the way she prayed. Therefore, I want to model my prayers in the same manner. Instead of make it better, make it count! What a new way of looking at the way I pray. I do want to make it count for His glory and not mine. Here is my prayer for the new year.

Dear Lord,

Make this year count in all that I say and do. Whatever, trials may come my way make it count in some way to cause me to grow and/or point others to You. Your word tells me that You are not slow in keeping Your promises and that You are patient with people not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. Use me, God in new ways to bring glory to Your name and show mercy to those around me. I desire to always be humble before You though I know that I am prone to seek approval of others. You, alone, are worthy to receive all glory and honor.

I give You thanks and praise for all that I have been through in 2015 and I look forward to what You have in store for me in 2016.

Amen, come Lord Jesus!

May you, too, be encouraged to ask God to make your life count for Him.

John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less.

Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Philippians 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Prayer Is Vital

My Prayer for You and For My Family

July 27, 2015 No Comments

Taken From Ephesians 3:14-21

As Found in the Amplified

¹⁴For this reason [^[a]seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁵For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name].

¹⁶May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].

¹⁷May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,

¹⁸That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];

¹⁹[That you may really come] to know [practically, ^[b]through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses ^[c]mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] ^[d]unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and ^[e]become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!

²⁰Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do super-abundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—

²¹To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

Footnotes:

Ephesians 3:14 Many manuscripts consider that Paul here resumes the thread of verse 1.
Ephesians 3:19 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
Ephesians 3:19 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
Ephesians 3:19 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
Ephesians 3:19 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.

Prayer Is Vital

Acronym on Prayer

April 18, 2015 No Comments

P.U.S.H.

Luke 18:1 (2-8)

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

Pray

Until

Something

Happens

Being persistent in prayer is what Jesus is encouraging His disciples in the parable in Luke. We are to pray and keep praying until something happens. God’s timing is not like ours and He wants us to seek Him in earnest prayer for ourselves as well as for those we love. How often do you give up when you are praying for someone? I know that I have not always been persistent in prayer but I do desire to change that. Matthew 7:7-8 tells me to ask, seek and knock. In the Greek, it actually translates to ask and keep asking, seek and keep seeking, and knock and keep knocking therefore I am to be persistent much like a child does when he/she wants something from his/her parent. it is not that God holds things back to be mean spirited but because He knows our hearts and He knows best when the time is right. Persistent pray also builds a dependent relationship on our heavenly Father. This is what He wants the most for us is to fully depend on Him.

So friends, be persistent in prayer believing that God will answer in His time and that He knows best.

My prayer: Dear Father in heaven help me to be persistent in prayer trusting that Your timing is best and that You will answer. You know my heart and forgive me when I fall short. In Jesus Name, I pray Amen.

Prayer Is Vital

Back to Prayer

April 17, 2015 No Comments

Thanksgiving & Prayer for Love to

Abound in Knowledge & Depth of Insight

Philippians 1:3-6, 9-11

On Monday April 14th, I wrote about the Apostle Paul’s prayer for the believers in Ephesus. He prayed for their spiritual strength to comprehend God’s love for them. This is one of the ways that I am to pray for fellow believers. In today’s blog, I am looking at the Paul’s prayers for believers in Philippi.

What I notice, first, is that Paul gives thanks for them (vs. 3) with joy because they partnered with him in the gospel. Paul is confident that God who began a good work in them will be faithful to complete it (vs. 6). For me, I am to give thanks other believers like my pastor, those who teach and preach the gospel, and my friends. I am to trust God to finish what He began.

Second, Paul prayed that their love would abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight (vs.9) so that they would be able to discern the best and be blameless until the day of Christ (vs. 10). He desired for them to be filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Christ (Vs. 11). Paul had a heart for believers to grow in the knowledge of Christ so much so that it was reflected in their love for one another. I especially like how it reads in the Amplified version (see link above).

In conclusion, I have gathered from what I have studied so far is that my attitude toward prayer needs to be of a humble spirit. I am to pray for the spiritual strength of fellow believers and friends in Christ. I am also to give thanks for them and pray that their love would abound more and more from a knowledge of Christ to overflowing and to be filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes from Christ. With this knowledge, I can no longer say that I do not know what to pray for or how to pray. There is power in prayer just read James 5:16. From this verse we are encouraged to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another.

I hope that this knowledge helps you also to know how to pray for fellow believers in Christ.

My Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, I give thanks to You for the many friends that I am blessed to know and for those who read my blog. Father, may they grow in knowledge of You so that they are blameless til Jesus’ return. Increase their spiritual strength to be able to fully comprehend You amazing love for them. Amen.

Prayer Is Vital

Prayer for Spiritual Strength

April 13, 2015 No Comments

The Apostle Paul’s Prayer for the Believers in Ephesus

Ephesians 3:14-21,

¹⁴For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

²⁰Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The Apostle Paul was a man of prayer. For I find his prayers for fellow believers in a number of place in the new testament. Today I will focus on the prayer in Ephesians. I fall very short of being like Paul when it comes to praying for others. Yet, I desire to be a woman of prayer.

From this example, I see Paul’s attitude toward prayer in the fact that he bows his knees before God. He humbles himself before God. Paul is specific in his prayers too. He prays for believers to be strengthened with the power of God’s Spirit so that, they, being rooted and grounded in love, may have the strength to comprehend what is the breadth and length height and depth, and to know that love of Christ that surpasses knowledge and to be filled with all the fulness of God. For God is more than able to do abundantly more than all we can ask for or think. He acknowledges that God is at work and the glory is His.

What does this mean to me? I am to humble myself before God Almighty, first. Then I need to be specific in my prayers, praying for my friends in Christ to be strengthened by God’s power so that they may know the surpassing greatness of the love of Christ. I am to pray according to their specific needs trusting that God will do more than I can ask or think.

May you also be encouraged to become a prayer warrior for your family and friends.

My Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, hear my prayer. I desire to become Your woman of prayer. Place on my heart those I need to pray for and bring me to my knees so that I can bring them before You.To You be all the glory and honor. Amen.

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