Saturday, May 12, 2007

Thoughts on Keeping a Journal

Taking time, on a regular basis, to write out thoughts and prayers is more than just going through the motions. There is something about writing that helps to crystallize our thoughts and help us to remember all that the Lord has done, plus those things we would like to see happen.

Writing in a journal also allows a means to get ones thoughts out from inside so they can be expressed and not just held in. Some hesitate to do this because some of what they would write would be complaints and the expression of negative thoughts towards people and/or circumstances. Well, if you think this is wrong because it is negative, then you should avoid reading many of the Psalms written by David. In so many of his writings he is full of complaints, and even lashes out at God, yet before he is done he gets things reconciled. The same thing can happen with us, the writing gives us an opportunity to get our thoughts out and be able to "unload" which can be a very liberating experience. Many find this a good way to keep negative thoughts from piling up inside, where they become very heavy to carry, and even depressing at times. Prayer and crying out to God can do the same thing, yet I have found more ongoing help as I have been able to write things out. I don't know whay it works that way, but it seems to for lots of people.

A friend of mine writes out things that he prays for, including the date, the person/event, and a short description. Periodically, he then goes back through the journal and takes time to write in how and when the Lord answered prayers. This is somewhat like a spiritual checkbook, where one reconciles answers to prayers instead of checks that have cleared. Even though this sounds simple it is a powerful tool that demonstrates the fact that God answers prayer, and does so on a very regular basis.

I like to write out verses from scripture and what they mean to me, or what way I can apply them. There is something powerful about writing out the scriptures, it's like there is some connection to my mind (spirit) that happens as I write that doesn't when I just read or hear the verses. I also find that as I write out the verses that I wind up remembering them very well. I don't go out of my way to try and memorize, but I find that memorization is a side benefit of writing the verses out.

One last thing (at least for now), is that when I write verses out I also will write down the meaning of the words, mostly from the Strong's Concordance (for both the Hebrew and the Greek), but I also use the dictionary and other study aids, or even commentaries. This helps me to get the word into my life, to not just read the words, but to gain more understanding as I see how I can apply it in my life. There are times the Word excites me and gets me into praising the Lord, there are other times that I see promises or keys to pray for (in my life, for others, or in certain situations), and sometimes I get convicted by the Holy Spirit as I see short comings and sins in my life, which will then give me an opportunity to confess and receive forgiveness. This is putting John 1:9 into action - why don't you write that one out and see what the Lord shows you.

Journaling is a practice that I recommend.

Unlimited Resources

Praying for others is a wonderful opportunity to serve them and help them in all sorts of situations. When we pray for people in need we are not just thinking good thoughts for them, but we are tapping into the resources of heaven. This is not a "hope so" exercise where we have tried every thing else to help so now we pray. Rather, this is going beyond any earthly help or wisdom and going to God Himself, who has all power, who knows all, and is able to do far above and beyond what we ask and think because He has no limits.

As great as needs are in peoples' lives, God is so much greater. He has the means to do anything, so when we pray we can have absolute confidence that He is able to move in any and all situations. He sees more than we see, He knows how to move in a situation, and will do what is best, even though we may not understand it all. The point is that we can have faith in the resources and abilities of God, and in His wisdom.

We have all seen, or heard about, miraculous answers to prayer. God just plain does awesome things. In addition, God does more than to move in just the immediate situation. There are times that it may seem like God does not bring an answer, mostly because it looks like nothing happened. Yet, as time goes by we can see that He really did move in the situation and so much great than we realized.

God is awesome, and His power in beyond comprehension. As we pray, these unlimited resources are released, so be encouraged this day in the greatness of the Lord.

God bless you all.

Choose the Good Part

One of the most wonderful things about prayer is that it is so varied, and there are so many ways to pray. Prayer is so much more than we realize and as we understand this we can experience so much as we pray.

In Luke 10 we read of the story of Mary and Martha. Where Martha is busy serving the Lord and doing things for Him, but her sister Mary does nothing except to just be with Him – and we find out that is okay with Jesus. To understand that just being with Jesus is okay can be so liberating. I know that I can too easily get into the frame of mind that my prayer life must have a purpose and that I need to work at it.

Take a moment right now as you read this, pause, and just be with the Lord. It is so good for us to simply be with Jesus and enjoy His presence, so refreshing and so renewing.

In Luke 10:42 Jesus tells Martha (and all of us) that Mary was not wasting time, in fact He says that she has chosen the good part and it will not be taken away from her.

Let's follow this example and chose that good part which will not be take from us.

God bless you all.

Different is Okay

Let's face it, we are all different, and we do things differently. And being different is okay, even in how we pray.

There are some who are really good about praying with a list. They are gifted with an organized and ordered personality and as a result are able to be faithful and diligent in their praying. This is great and many intercessors are tremendous in their regularity and discipline in their prayer lives. If you are not like this, don't worry. Appreciate their strengths, and learn what you can from them.

Others do better when praying for an event, or during a crisis. These are the people who can wake up in the middle of the night and pray for someone across the world. They are the ones who will pray almost continually when a person is sick and in the hospital or has some kind of personal crisis, or is in need of salvation. They are the ones who bathe a special event in prayer as it is in the planning stage. These folks may not as regular or consistent on a daily basis as those in the first group (above), but they play a vital part in God's kingdom. These people have a dogged determination and will not let go of a burden until they pray it through.

There are also others who pray based on relationships, as we shared on a previous note. They are the ones that will pray for their Pastor or other leaders, and carry them in their hearts. These are the types of intercessors who are extremely loyal and grow close to those they pray for. At times these people are trusted with confidential matters because of their close relationship, fidelity, and loyalty.

In addition to these three types of praying there are many other kinds. Whether it is praying the prayers of the Bible, or it is praying short prayers all through the day, or it is experiencing personal intimacy with the Lord, or it is laying hands on the sick and praying for healing, or it is praying with people to become saved – all of these types of prayers are okay.

Most of us are not in any one group, and find there can be a lot of variety in our prayer lives. The exciting thing is that all of this is a part of the big picture, it all pleases God, and it all works.

I hope this has been an encouragement to you. God bless you as you grow in your prayer life, and in your relationship with Jesus.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Summer Prayer Walking

With the warmer weather, earlier sun rises and later sun sets (at least for those of us in the northern hemisphere) there are more opportunities to take our praying to different places. This also gets us out of our routines and into something new.

Prayer walking is intercession and others focused. As you are out walking in your neighborhood or other places around your community you look to the Lord for what to pray. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide as you quietly intercede for your neighbors, for the local businesses, for the local government and services, for those around the parks, and other places around your area.

Your prayers can help in so many ways, most that you will never know about. You may pray blessing for your neighbors, or success for some local business. Or you may find yourself praying for peoples' salvation, or you may be moved upon to pray for healing from sickness or injury. Many find that this type of praying helps them grow in how they pray. There are times that you may be general in your praying, and other times find a very specific item that you have a urgency to cover in prayer. It is not uncommon to get burdens for people and things as you go prayer walking. You may feel that this is crazy, or what am I thinking as you walk and pray, but give it a chance and simply be open to what the Lord will lead you into. This can be like going on a short term missions trip in your local area.

Prayer walking is great, it is refreshing, and it can be very powerful in touching lives. Why not give it a try this weekend?

God bless you all.

Monday, May 7, 2007

Don't give up on your dreams

As we pray, we know that patience and trust are needed, because not everything we pray for is answered right away. Often we need to wait and keep on praying until we see an answer come. Some times this goes well and other times not so well, and we might find ourselves praying something like, Lord, give me patience and give it to me NOW.

This applies to the dreams and the promises God gives to us, often they take a long time to come to pass. Sometimes the wait is because God is working in our lives or in others lives and this process can not be rushed. But hang in there, it is worth the wait.

In Genesis there are a couple examples of those who waited. It was a 25 year process for Abraham to see a son born. Joseph had dreams at the age of 17, but had to wait till he was 30 to see them come to pass. I may be reading between the lines, but both Abraham and Joseph were people like us, so I am sure there were times that they were ready to give up. Yet, God was faithful and the dreams were realized.

You may have a dream of being a missionary, or of having your own business that can also be a ministry. Our dreams can also be for others, to see them saved, to see the Lord bring them into a particular situation or ministry, or to see something happen in our community or country. Many parents have faithfully prayed for children for years before a dream or promise come to pass.

God shows us things so that we can pray for them and see them happen – so don't give up. There may be some of you who have laid some dreams and hopes aside or have almost forgotten about them because it has been so long since the Lord first put them in your heart. Be encouraged to stir up those dreams and to start believing again for the promise He has showed you. It may take a long time for some things to come to pass, yet when they do, it can make an eternal difference for many.

God bless you all.

Abiding in Christ - Key to Answered Prayer

Our relationship with Christ is vita, and so is our relationship with His word. Here is a verse that addresses both being in Christ and His word being in us.

John 15:7If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. (NKJV)

The word "abide" here means to dwell and to be at home with, it speaks of an ongoing and developed relationship, not a quick or casual one. As we are in love with Jesus and keep in close relationship with Him, and as His word dwells in us, we are told that our prayers will be answered. Being in sync with Him and His word helps to keep our focus and perspective right.

One more thing about this verse; His "word" is the Greek word rhema (Strongs #4487) which is the living and inspired word. This is the fresh word or today's manna, that is a wonderful benefit of a close personal relationship with the Lord.

Here is this verse in three other translations;

But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. (Message)

If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. (Amplified)

But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! (NLT)

May the truth of this verse be an inspiration to us all and help us become closer to and deeper in relationship with Jesus Christ. And may answered prayer flow as never before.

God bless you all – be enriched in Him.