HOW DO YOU APPROACH GOD IN PRAYER?

[Lambano]

Hi Nancy,
For many many years writing became my voice because I just didn’t know how to really communicate my feelings and thoughts. My journal became my meeting place with the Lord, I would just share things on paper , ask questions, weigh things up. The Lord always answered those questions. I have always loved writing
, especially with an ink pen. It’s just a natural part of who I am. However a pastor once told me that it was the wrong way to communicate, and in part he was right with certain things. Sorting out problems with others , well it’s better to talk with them. In my insecurity I took it that it was wrong for all kinds of communication, so felt I was failing in some way. At the time he was a spiritual authority in my life and I was not mature enough to work it out.
I now know that not everyone can journal, can just write or like doing either, so I count it as a valued gift and ability that I have been given. However a remnant of that wrong thinking has obviously remained with regards to prayer. Xx
Rita

I took up journaling about 20 years ago when my spiritual life started breaking down. I found it helpful to order the chaotic thoughts I was having at the time. I haven't needed it in some time, but I recently restarted. I don't know why or what it means.

 

[Taken]

Oh so many things will distract us...like my 3 mini schnauzers when ANYONE walks past the house, or kids playing out front...phone, texts, sirens galore here, people shouting, cursing and fighting. Oh Lord, I hope it is surely your will that I may move from the city! A park setting is (for myself) the BEST place for prayer...and then the lake...

We are 12 miles outside of Town with population just over 5,000. Rolling acreage, woods, trails, gardens, fresh air, spend a lot of time outdoors. Agree, has a Best advantage for a comfort with God.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

If you are like me, many times daily, people pop into my mind to pray for. I could be doing dishes, feeding the dogs, showering, and yes, even using the "facilities" when this happens.
Lately it seems as though this is somewhat irreverent as, shouldn't we always have an attitude of reverence, thanksgiving and worship while praying?

I don’t get on my knees that often either, and I ‘ chat’ like a few have mentioned, but I also journal and write prayers and have conversations that way…..BUT I have always felt that there was something wrong in this way of communicating, that somehow ‘ it’s the wrong way ‘ …….that I should be doing something else, but it just doesn’t come natural , so I constantly feel I am failing !!!
So it’s interesting to read what others do……….and helpful.

I have just connected very, very deeply with you! I used to think I must be a very bad and ugly prayer. I don’t pray anything like the prayers others pray out loud. I can’t stress enough how totally unlike those prayers mine are. Mine are…very few words, sometimes even just…sighs with no words. I might say…Lord have mercy on me! , or…oh Lord, that man needs your help! Sometimes it might be…thank you for showing me that Lord!
And I cannot say, I’m going to sit down with the intent of praying. It never works for me. If I sit down with great intent, I always sit there remembering that I do not know how to pray. But let me be in some extreme weariness from the world and I can’t save it for a “prayer time” but will just immediately tell Him how weary and near fainting I am.
And I almost never pray for someone else what they have specifically asked me to pray. I do pray for them sometimes but what comes out is different from what they asked.

More recently, I came to think, well…love, real love, has turned out to be different than what I always supposed it to be so…maybe true prayer is the same, not what I supposed it to be…

And what you’ve said about journaling works the same way for me.

 

[Nancy]

I have just connected very, very deeply with you! I used to think I must be a very bad and ugly prayer. I don’t pray anything like the prayers others pray out loud. I can’t stress enough how totally unlike those prayers mine are. Mine are…very few words, sometimes even just…sighs with no words. I might say…Lord have mercy on me! , or…oh Lord, that man needs your help! Sometimes it might be…thank you for showing me that Lord!
And I cannot say, I’m going to sit down with the intent of praying. It never works for me. If I sit down with great intent, I always sit there remembering that I do not know how to pray. But let me be in some extreme weariness from the world and I can’t save it for a “prayer time” but will just immediately tell Him how weary and near fainting I am.
And I almost never pray for someone else what they have specifically asked me to pray. I do pray for them sometimes but what comes out is different from what they asked.

More recently, I came to think, well…love, real love, has turned out to be different than what I always supposed it to be so…maybe true prayer is the same, not what I supposed it to be…

And what you’ve said about journaling works the same way for me.

Yeah Jen, we are much alike here...same with not always praying for what anyone asks for as, if it's not in His will and I know it, the prayer request WILL change for them.

Can't set aside an exact time either as, it will turn into "law" cause if I miss it one day, two days...I will be convicting myself for not being faithful in what I said I would do so that is out. Also have a prayer box, that was used for awhile but also fell by the wayside, it was kind of like journaling and it was "rote". so...prayer is when prayer is called for in our hearts I suppose.

 

[Taken]

It let me quote this time, thank you , I will give what you have relayed some thought. The difference between mind and heart is just so relevant, for its through the renewing of the mind that our hearts are changed……..they are inter connected. I had not considered the connection and effect in different ways x
Rita

Some times it was comical. Taking her for a walk...down the hall. She’d remark ooh a cold breeze (fan blowing), I’d say well let’s run. Grasp her arm, arms moving quicker, feet still in a shuffle! Laughing. Or I would turn on music of like 40’s music and say let’s dance. Wrap my arms around her, kiss her cheek, and sway, rather than foot movement. Sometimes she would say, I don’t know your name, but I think you have always been a favorite of mine. I say of course, and you are my favorite mom...Mother.
* And one thing to note, elderly people almost always remember some the words to Old time Hymns and Patriotic Songs they grew up with, and will sing along if they hear them.
These kinds of things, as mentioned I encouraged, primarily because, personally I feel they feel they have nothing to contribute, say, tell, do interesting to others.

Glory to God,
Taken

 

[Nancy]

We are 12 miles outside of Town with population just over 5,000. Rolling acreage, woods, trails, gardens, fresh air, spend a lot of time outdoors. Agree, has a Best advantage for a comfort with God.

Oh happy for you! I had that for a good 5 years but, bought a house where I could afford. Am in the process of looking to move further out again. Just have so many repairs and nobody to help with. They are really gouging people anymore with these prices!

Gods will be done... REALLY hope He will bless me with peace, quiet and His beauty.

 

[GTW27]

Blessings in Christ Jesus Nancy! In case no one ever noticed, this is a greeting. And what does this greeting mean. There are those that are in Christ Jesus, and unfortunately there are those that are about Christ Jesus. The Lord knows those that are His. Those that are truly in Christ Jesus have both The Father, and The Son, in the form of The Holy Spirit within them. This, Jesus promised before He went away(ascended). And this promise He has kept. He has kept that promise to me, and He has kept that promise to you. Another promise that He made, for those that believe, is that we would speak in new tongues. When we pray, it is the same as when Jesus knelt down and prayed to The Father. The Father was with Him(for they are One) but He still knelt down to His Father in heaven in prayer. When I pray (and I am not a prayer warrior) to my Father(abba) in heaven, He is right there with me as I bow my head.(for we are One). This is also true for you, and all who are truly in Christ Jesus. The new tongues operate apart from my own mind and yet we are One. The control to speak in the new tongues The Lord left with us. It is by faith. Perhaps, this is why it is called a gift. Every good gift comes down from above from The Father of Lights. The higher gifts that we are to pursue, do not operate in the same way, but operate as The Lord sees fit. It is He that works through us according to His will and His Good pleasure. All of these gifts are Him in us, as we are in Christ Jesus. It is The Spirit that intercedes for us(in prayer) when we know not what to pray. When I received the gift of tongues, I received what I already had, and did not know I had. It took faith to believe(and they shall speak in new tongues) and His will for me to have this gift(which I already had all along). A simple "Thank you Father for this gift" was all that was needed. A simple act of Faith when asking. And this(having faith) pleases The Lord. For those that are truly in Christ Jesus, The Lord truly desires(His will)to give Good things to His Children,(sons and daughters) and the greatest of these, Jesus, He has already given. Let us receive with thankfulness, all that The Lord has given us, even unto eternal life. Amen.

 

[Rita]

Some times it was comical. Taking her for a walk...down the hall. She’d remark ooh a cold breeze (fan blowing), I’d say well let’s run. Grasp her arm, arms moving quicker, feet still in a shuffle! Laughing. Or I would turn on music of like 40’s music and say let’s dance. Wrap my arms around her, kiss her cheek, and sway, rather than foot movement. Sometimes she would say, I don’t know your name, but I think you have always been a favorite of mine. I say of course, and you are my favorite mom...Mother.
* And one thing to note, elderly people almost always remember some the words to Old time Hymns and Patriotic Songs they grew up with, and will sing along if they hear them.
These kinds of things, as mentioned I encouraged, primarily because, personally I feel they feel they have nothing to contribute, say, tell, do interesting to others.

Glory to God,
Taken

I work in a care home, and my favourite floor is the dementia one, we have music on all day and interact with the residents all the time. We endeavour to give them purpose xx
We play music from the 50,60 and 70’s, we all love them and sing along with one another.
Thanks for sharing about your mum- sounds like you had a lovely way of caring for her. X

 

[amadeus]

@Nancy

Yes I have had people who have said ‘ just relax, do this , this and this, and it will just happen……’
What they seem to forget is that the gift in the first place, and in their case , was governed by the Holy Spirit not by them. I think I have indirectly felt envious, but that was at a time when I considered that they must be better christians than me, so it just added to my own insecurities when I felt there was a pecking order……and I felt definitely at the bottom !!!
You know if I started talking in tongues in my home my family would have had me sectioned !! Lol

When you have doubts like what you mentioned, just remember that if anyone really is "better" then God expects more from them.

If you, without "tongues", make a 100% effort, but some tongue talker only works at 50%, will God not see that and judge fairly and accordingly?

"Much is given... much is required!"

What are we doing with whatever God has given us? That is the right question... rather than what has God given us such as a gift of tongues or even salvation!

 

[Nancy]

Some times it was comical. Taking her for a walk...down the hall. She’d remark ooh a cold breeze (fan blowing), I’d say well let’s run. Grasp her arm, arms moving quicker, feet still in a shuffle! Laughing. Or I would turn on music of like 40’s music and say let’s dance. Wrap my arms around her, kiss her cheek, and sway, rather than foot movement. Sometimes she would say, I don’t know your name, but I think you have always been a favorite of mine. I say of course, and you are my favorite mom...Mother.
* And one thing to note, elderly people almost always remember some the words to Old time Hymns and Patriotic Songs they grew up with, and will sing along if they hear them.
These kinds of things, as mentioned I encouraged, primarily because, personally I feel they feel they have nothing to contribute, say, tell, do interesting to others.

Glory to God,
Taken

You have all, or at least some of you have seen this video. It touches me deeply every time so, I will share it again!!

 

[Taken]

Oh happy for you! I had that for a good 5 years but, bought a house where I could afford. Am in the process of looking to move further out again. Just have so many repairs and nobody to help with. They are really gouging people anymore with these prices!

Gods will be done... REALLY hope He will bless me with peace, quiet and His beauty.

Seriously, think about Turing the “needed repairs” into a “Feature” of a potential buyer. All day long people buy homes for very specific reasons, (location, a pool, a basement, whatever) and immediately want to “change” what is not to their liking. Just saying, for example; “I reserved not doing this or that” (repair), because people are so diverse in what they like, and wanted the new homeowner to do choosing their own likes, brands, flare.

Highlight their likes already existing of specifics and highlight needed repairs to their likes, ideas, talents. It removes you from the equation of spending on what you will not be living there to enjoy the effort.
As far as “agents”, do your homework. Not so much about what an agent can do for you, but search tips for DIY, (what an agent will not tell you), that keeps more $ in your pocket. And BTW, more people search the internet for potential homes, than real estate offices.

 

[amadeus]

You have all, or at least some of you have seen this video. It touches me deeply every time so, I will share it again!!

It was really very good, dear sister. I had not seen it before. What a mighty God we serve!

 

[Taken]

You have all, or at least some of you have seen this video. It touches me deeply every time so, I will share it again!!

Have never seen that before, Thank you for sharing....Oh, how beautiful!!
Choking up in tears of joy. Love it!

 

[Rita]

You have all, or at least some of you have seen this video. It touches me deeply every time so, I will share it again!!

It’s one of those videos that you can watch time and time again and still be moved by it ( it’s used in our training sessions at work each year ) sometimes it makes me sad though as many people simply don’t get dementia and wouldn’t have the patience to persevere or see that lady’s need x

 

[Rita]

@Taken - that’s how it impacted me the first time I saw it x

 

[Rita]

I have just connected very, very deeply with you! I used to think I must be a very bad and ugly prayer. I don’t pray anything like the prayers others pray out loud. I can’t stress enough how totally unlike those prayers mine are. Mine are…very few words, sometimes even just…sighs with no words. I might say…Lord have mercy on me! , or…oh Lord, that man needs your help! Sometimes it might be…thank you for showing me that Lord!
And I cannot say, I’m going to sit down with the intent of praying. It never works for me. If I sit down with great intent, I always sit there remembering that I do not know how to pray. But let me be in some extreme weariness from the world and I can’t save it for a “prayer time” but will just immediately tell Him how weary and near fainting I am.
And I almost never pray for someone else what they have specifically asked me to pray. I do pray for them sometimes but what comes out is different from what they asked.

More recently, I came to think, well…love, real love, has turned out to be different than what I always supposed it to be so…maybe true prayer is the same, not what I supposed it to be…

And what you’ve said about journaling works the same way for me.

This is where these kind of threads are so refreshing, you find similarities that you didn’t know were there xx

 

[amadeus]

@Nancy I just finished reading through all of this thread and was really blessed by people's thoughts and experiences. I will probably come by at a later time with some of my thoughts.

 

[Nancy]

It’s one of those videos that you can watch time and time again and still be moved by it ( it’s used in our training sessions at work each year ) sometimes it makes me sad though as many people simply don’t get dementia and wouldn’t have the patience to persevere or see that lady’s need x

Oh so true Rita, I had asked a worker several years back when Elaine was here, if he knew anything about dementia and his answer was simply "no". I'm floored as, I know so many who went down that road sadly, yet to be fair, I was working with many, many patients in the Hospital and saw so many go down, little by little. I think it has got to be one of if not THE worst disease out there, especially for the families of their loved one affected. Very scary for them also as the onset can throw them and scare them cause they still have most of theiur memories at that point.
Rita, you deal with them daily and I give you such kudos for that, VERY draining, for sure. God bless your sweet heart sister.

And, I do remember you telling me that you use this video in the training so, I know you saw it...just squeezes my heart every time I see it.
xx

 

[Nancy]

@Nancy I just finished reading through all of this thread and was really blessed by people's thoughts and experiences. I will probably come by at a later time with some of my thoughts.

Thank you John,
I am glad I shared it as , it is really giving me options and more understanding. Finally got a thread off the ground with more than only one page of reply's

Was hoping to hear from @Angelina as, I KNOW she is very strong in prayer.
The tongues, wish I had them, have prayed deeply for years and to no adieu so...not all speak in tongues anyhow, and cannot seem to separate the "tongues and the "prayer language". I mean, tongues is NOT an angelic language as, all the angels spoke in the same language of the people they brought messages to.
Sorry to all who do have this gift, you have to understand that not ALL have it and if they do not, many here say they are not saved! That would be a "works" salvation and I know quite a few who fake the whole thing...I did at one time. Why so much on the tongue gift anyhow...what of the rest of those verses...get bitten by a poisonous snake lately? Drink any poison lately? Nah, didn't think so. So please, stop judging those who do not have this. It is NOT a matter of faith as I had such strong faith in this back in the early 1990's and still...nothing. Then once reading that not all have this gift, it settled my mind and heart...fast forward a couple decades and I'm seeing and hearing Christians telling those who do NOT do tongues...unsaved. That is horrible as, you could have someone believe they are not saved, and they could be pushed even further away from Christ. God is Judge of all things and, He judges rightly.
Sorry John, went a bit off on a tangent there, lol.
Much love and prayers brother.

 

[Nancy]

Have never seen that before, Thank you for sharing....Oh, how beautiful!!
Choking up in tears of joy. Love it!

Yes, I know! It never fails to bring me tears!