When God first drew me to Bible study curriculum, I had no thought of ever having an office or even a “ministry.” I fell in love with Scripture at my old dining room table in my late twenties after taking a Bible doctrine class. Over the course of weeks, months and then years, that table was bow-legged and piled halfway to the ceiling with resources, pages, colored pens. It hardly ever had an actual meal set on it. If folks needed to eat, I reasoned, they could eat at the breakfast table. My man got so weary of book-tyranny that he practically did a cartwheel in his cowboy boots when I found a tiny office space at a nearby building that we could (barely) afford.
Over the years and one wonderful person at a time, God built a true team and led us from that office building to our own (house-like) ministry building. (Only about 14 of us work in-office, in case you’re trying to picture the size.) One of my very favorite parts about working here amid these fine women of God is lunch conversation. We have staff prayer time on Mondays at noon so, between the other four workdays a week and my travel schedule, I usually average about 2-3 lunches a week with these dear sisters, ranging in age, in background and denomination. But those times are highlights for me and we talk a hundred miles an hour and, many times, laugh a creak in our necks. Occasionally at lunch I throw a topic out on the table and hold a mental bucket wide open to catch what tumbles out of my coworkers mouths. If Curtis happens to be at lunch that day, it’s even better. He is man enough and opinionated enough to provide a welcome shore for this sea of estrogen. Today there were only 6 of us girls so, late in the lunch, I said to them, “OK, I have a question for the table.”
I told them about one of my LPL praise team members showing me some writings that his new wife had done (with her permission, of course). They were psalms, really. Gorgeous outpourings of love and need and wrestling and waiting that she’d written to God over the course of what I’d suppose was a decade. The book was compiled from portions of her prayer journal and, as I read them, I marveled at the beauty and almost blushed at the intimacy. One thing was certain: Jesus was and is the uncontested love of her life. And, from her husband’s point of view, he was twice as loved and blessed because he was second to God (and God alone).
Reading her journal stirred up a fresh longing in me. I know a woman who poured out pages and pages and pages like that. No, not as beautifully most of the time, but often as intimately. Jesus has been life to me. Redemption from wreckage. I know He has been the same to many of you. But here is the conflict her journal whipped up in me. In many of those extended periods of time when I’ve poured out my heart like that days-upon-end, I was going through extreme crisis and marrow-deep healing. (One season was as recently as nine months ago so, certainly, not all of these are in the past.) In my normal practice when I’m not in complete crisis mode, my sweetest and dearest relationship in life is still with Jesus. Even in all my frailty and fallenness, He is how I start my day. I always make confession of sin toward the beginning, get into His Word then pray for myself for several minutes right at the end but, in between, Girlfriend, I HAVE A LIST! I mean, mature believers are meant to have healthy intercessory lives, right? The New Testament summons us over and over to pray for one another. I keep a prayer journal of intercession with multiple people on it everyday. And, then, all these natural disasters! We have to be on our faces, don’t we? And, what about the spiritual condition of this country?? It needs prayer, doesn’t it? “If My people who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face…”
Yes and yes and yes and yes and yes, yes, yes, yes, YES. BUT, we will miss out on the new wine of life if we do not also spend time in the presence of Jesus just simply being present with Jesus. Most things don’t fix on their own. We don’t automatically forgive on our own. Or heal on our own. Or put others first on our own. Or discern between good and evil on our own. Or comprehend the Scriptures on our own. We are the children of God and our hearts need tending and mending that only He can bring. And, in our intercessory roles, we’re also wise to come to grips with the fact that we’re not in control and our whole worlds won’t fall apart if we don’t get through our lists today.
SO, here’s the question! How do we balance both kinds of prayer: for others and for ourselves?? How do you grapple with this dilemma? Most of the time, I let crisis be my guide and when I need more personal tending, I spend more personal time with God on matters concerning my own heart. I think that’s a good plan and it’s worked fairly well for a long time. But, then, I read something like that young woman’s journal and I long for that level of personal intimacy with Christ every single day. Anybody else?? I know there’s no getting this thing down pat but I think I need some shifting and sifting in my prayer life.
We had the richest conversation over it at lunch time and now I’d love to hear your take on it. So far from our conversation, I think I’ve decided that I’m going to stay with my usual early morning prayer-practice with the primary emphasis on intercession for most days a week, but, at least for a little while, I’m going to take two mornings back a week, primarily just for Him and me. Times just to bring my own needy heart before Him with concentration and complete transparency for fresh intimacy and revival. More than the few minutes I spend on other days. Needless to say, this is all subject to the daily leadership of the Holy Spirit and He can turn the whole thing upside down any time He wants but I think I’m about to get that pen back out and write some new love letters to the dearest Love of my life.
Anybody else struggling with how to pray? I’m not talking about formulas here nor doing the same thing the same way every day. I’m just talking about some basic balance. Anybody found some?? Let’s hear it! (Not too long, ladies! Think succinct!) Scripture tells us to encourage one another and stimulate one another’s hearts and minds toward the Lord Jesus. That’s what Siestaville is all about. Don’t freak out if it’s morning before we post many of your comments. Keith just called me and wants me to go somewhere with him this evening so I won’t be able to bring in comments much tonight. I’ll bring in a few this afternoon then K-Mac and I will get the rest of them posted as we can. You are dear to us around here! I missed you at the lunch table today.
P.S. Make me a promise that nobody falls into condemnation here. I am well aware that some of you moms of young children (and some of you caring for elderly parents) are doing well to get ten minutes alone with the Lord. He meets us where we are. Let’s stay healthy here. Let’s also encourage one another to grow in our intimacy with Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I love how very clear the Word is on prayer here…we’re to pray without ceasing! This brings so much comfort to my heart because it tells me that God wants to hear from me all day and all night long….this goes along with listening to Him speak to my heart. I find myself having continual fellowship with Him all throughout my day and everyday. I love you Beth and thank God for you and your team!
Thank you for this Laura. You are absolutely correct – the Word is very clear on prayer. I believe prayer time is different for everyone but the results are mostly the same – cleansing, revival and peace. I love prayer time and I do not doubt that God will make me better at it the closer I come to Him. The thought of continual fellowship is definitely comforting!
Knowing that time alone is very essential and important above anything else, I pray for others and then empty my “pockets” before God in a special chair located in my front livingroom with a large window…..I sit sort of unlady like because it is just me, the window, the beautiful blue or (cloudy) sky and God! For example, if I am home for the day, I take time to sit down for a break, lay back, put my left leg over the left arm rest, look out the window, and pray for specific people or situations that I may have heard about that day….then I pray for any certain needs…I try to “seek ye first and then all these things will be added onto you”…not that I am looking for materialistic items, or a new non wrinkled face, or “stuff” but wisdom on how to live. EVERYBODY needs to have this chair in one the their rooms…even if it is the toilet!!!
LOVE to you all, Sue
Linda, Burnsville, MN.
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 NIV
Beth,
This is what I just love about you. You share your own questions and you bring me along. I don’t think I balance it very good at all. It so much easier to pray for others and not look within. I think it maybe a pride issue or an insecurity thing. It is harder to get intimate with or stay intimate with God when I don’t ever share anything personal with him. Struggling here. Need to get back on track.
Jan
Beth,
I have a place I like to pray. I think of it the way you have described your backyard, only I walk on a path in a vineyard close to my home. I have come to somewhat the same conclusion this year about spending time in His presence and letting it be just about He and I. I have a “list” as well, family, a wayward son, friends, the lost and sick and burdened. But there have been more and more times lately that I feel Him beckoning me to “come away” with Him. The way a groom longs for His bride. I felt almost guilty at first to focus on myself with Him instead of the needs of so many others, but He has shown me more and more the “alone time” with Him is what I need. It’s in His Word and my “alone time” with Him that I fall more in love with Him. If I am always bringing my “list” and even praying for myself, I miss out on that sweet time in the uncrowded presence of my King. I have struggled with that and desperately long to “come away” with just Him. Thank you for opening that desire up and reminding me to say “YES, take me away!”
p.s. I slipped your security man the bright pink sticky note at Livingproof Live in Fresno, hope you got it 🙂
I SO believe that it is imperative that I do NOT come to the LORD with my ‘shopping list’ of prayer needs. I am trying to relay that message to my 15 y.o. son as well. We read the Psalms together, and then pray the Psalms together; focusing on the character of God.
As for my personal intimacy with the Lord, that really happens for me during worship, and nothing takes me there like the older Hillsong CD’s.
I wholeheartedly agree with you on feeling closer to God as I sing out with an older Hillsong CD!
My favorite book in the world is Listening Prayer: keeping a spiritual journal by LeAnne Payne. She’s a little known source who focuses her prayer life/journaling life on the Lord’s Prayer and teaches us how to organize our prayer life using it. Her theology is amazingly intimate and yet filled with the miracles of God and focuses on prayer throughout the day ([practicing the presence of God) and intercession is just a piece. Her theology is incredibly meaty and I find myself reading a portion of a page and chewing on it all day.
With the birth of my third child everything has gotten harder. I miss the hours I would spend with Jesus. I used to spend most of my morning prayer time with the Lord in intimacy, learning from scripture and journaling and then carry on intercession throughout the day with lists and praying through worship songs…one of my favorite ways to pray for people! Mighty God by Laura Story is a fantastic worship song for this. Then, at night, I felt called back to intimacy. No more hard work, just being replenished by the Lord.
Now, I can only catch moments with Jesus and stay hungry constantly. so hungry. But, the good news is, He is so faithful to show me when and how and fill me in my poverty.
This is just one of my prayer methods, but I love it. I do some of my exercising on an indoor track, where 10 laps = one mile. I have a couple sets of cards – one with verses and one with pieces of advice – that I pray over my someday husband. It helps me count my laps and get prayer in for my Mr. Missing!
When my kids (we have 5) were babies I would pray as I nursed and rocked them – lots of 2 am prayin’!! Fast forward to my oldest being 20 and the youngest turning 9 in a few weeks – I now teach piano lessons 4 days a week as a travelling teacher (I go to the student’s home or other locations). This has been my best praying time (I do keep my eyes open!!) Some days it is a short drive, other days 20 minutes or so. It is a refreshing time for me and gets my focus on Him.
june lst… Who is the king of glory, the lord strong and mighthy the lord mighty in battle Ps. 24:8
Last night I felt so broken that I couldn’t sleep or pray. Not the first or last time. So I sang hymns while lying in bed. I love the beautiful old hymns of the church; if I had my way we would sing “A Mighty Fortress” and “How Firm a Foundation” every Sunday. Music is a form of prayer and praise. One of the many nice things about living alone is that no one is disturbed by my nocturnal warbling. (Except for the cats; they laid their ears back and ran off!)
I tend to stray off topic while praying, and also to drag up old bitterness and anger. “God, why didn’t You save my job during the budget cuts? Are You listening?” Of course He is listening. This issue is over and done with. There are plenty of new ones to pray about.
My favorite form of prayer is ACTS. I know it as Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.
One of the most Godly women I’ve ever known, a little farmers wife, who happened to be my husband’s Aunt, was a prayer warrior. After she passed away this past September, her prayer journal was placed on the table with other personal belongings at her memorial. I’ve always wondered how she could pray for so many and then I discovered she prayed for different people on different days. Our family was Wednesday:). That way, she would still have time to be with Jesus. I am following in her footsteps and found it works beautifully:). Thank you Beth
The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps mr, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7. (NLT)
I’ve already commented on this post, but couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share these quotes that seem to apply to the subject and hand.
From Ron Dunn,
“The will of God, the name of Jesus, and the glory of God are qualifiers of all prayers.”
From G. Campbell Morgan,
“The prayer life does not consist of the perpetual repitition of petitions. The prayer life consists of a life that is always upward and onward and Godward.”
From Oswald Chambers,
“Prayer is the vital breath of the Christian, not the thing that makes him alive, but the evidence that he is alive.”
From E.M. Bounds,
“The stream of praying cannot rise higher than the fountain of loving.”
Have a blessed day, everyone,
Patti Hayes
I know this response comes very late but just wanted to put in my two sense. The Lord has beenteaching me how to walk in His Presence daily. Through the awesome book Jesus Calling. I have been pretty personal and selfish with my prayers but I am seeing some totally awesome things happening. The Lord is beginning to work a miracle in my mother’s and my life, changing my heart toward hers. It started last Spring when I read So Long, Insecurity and now I am seeing the effects. I took one of Jennifer Kennedy Deen’s Bible Studies last year on LIving a Praying Life and that really helped with the condemnation you feel when you don’t pray for others. I felt she had a good point and not simply justifying forgetfulness. I have rested in the fact that God will bring to my mind whoever I am supposed to pray for at the perfect time. I do not have any prayer list 🙁
Beth, our lives are a relationship with God, spent always with him sometimes more directly visible or aware of than others and it cannot be measured in our human terms. I trust him, that he will guide my heart to what he has for me to glorify him. My part…to keep my eyes on him and he will show me what is important for me to focus on that moment. The season of my life right now does not allow for as much study and ministry in areas as I would like, but he is developing a love and a craving for him like I’ve not known when I have had more time for “spiritual things”. The path my life has taken would not have been my choice, but it is defined by experinces with God and others that have shaped me in ways I would not change now. God has used his work in my life to affect people that I haven’t even know about until later. As far as who to pray for, I ask the question of who is my neighbor…the one that has come across my path at this moment. I leave you with one of my favorite hymns: Moment by moment I’m kept in his love. Moment by moment I’ve life from above. Looking to Jesus ’til glory doth shine. Moment by moment, oh Lord, I am thine.
I must say, that I’ve almost always struggled with this one in the past. Struggled in the sense, that I know how I ought to pray, but find myself so tangled in the web of my tiny little world that I forget to do it differently. Lately, (this entire past year since last May) I’ve been feeling the push of bigger faith and a more intimate relationship via crisis and life turning out completely different than I’d pictured it last May. I find myself clinging to God in our moments together, believing that He is all that He says He is, and I think that might be the beginning of a new balance for me. Does that make sense? I’m not sure I said it quite right…
Can I just say that I have learned to ask.
“Lord what do You want me to pray about today?”
“Lord is someone needing a little extra love/prayer from me?”
Sounds simplistic and probably not what you had in mind, but this is working for me now. I do look for the Holy Spirit to indwell in my time and bring names, situations and my own needs to Him.
Oh my goodnes…the Lord is speaking to me through you, through my pastor, through the radio! Jesus, please give me ears to hear!! My prayer life definitly needs some work. I struggle with consistency however, I find that most of my day is spent in constant “prayer” as I share all of my thoughts with God and look for Him wherever I am. It seems to help set my heart and mind on Him when I praise Him for the sunrise, clouds, blue sky, sweet praises of song birds, loving friends and family, the curiosity of cats, and my clumsy dog. I find as I have learned from you, Beth that praying God’s Word is profoundly effective.
I have a list that God gave me, a pretty big list. One day as I was going to pray for that list I went into a little temper, “God I don’t want to pray from this list, I just want you.” I had to learn that I need time with God…just Him and me, no list. I am so blessed to have time during the day. My kids are a little older and can entertain themselves. My prayer time in the morning is mostly just spending time with God and very few requests. Later on I’ll bring out my list. I have also been blessed to have been called by God to prayer as my thing in life.
I have this bad habit of saying the same prayer over and over and over every morning. I know it has to wear the Lord out. However some of my closest friends have this really neat way of praying. On Mondays they pray for the military Tuesdays for the president and government Wed for the church family Thursday for their children’s mate Friday = friends I cant remember sat and Sunday they pray for their families. They also have a basket with lots of peoples names and pictures in it. They draw a name out every morning and prayer for that person. Is that not the greatest idea. You’d think Id followed this great example. I am teachable I believe I’ll make me a list now. Im ready to change up my prayer life!!! This is cool.
I would have to say that this issue is probably the most frustrating for me. I am the mother of three with the youngest one a little shy of 2 years of age. I am busy and I have my hands full. Plus I am involved in woman ministry in which I have lots of prayer request that come my way. It’s almost overwhelming at time the amount of need that is out there not just in my circle of family and friends. When I had just 2 kids and they were little and I was not involved in womans ministry, I was very good at getting my quite time early in the morning. Sometimes those mornings were just about me and my “Abba” hanging out together. But things have changed for me since #3 came along, plus a serious health issue that almost killed me. These days I vote for sleep over getting up at 6:00 a.m. and then try to fight for some “God Time” during the day or at night were I can shut myself away so I feel like I give enough attention to all those prayer requests and just to get a little time with Him!!
So no, I don’t feel condemed, just frusted with the season of life that I am in right now. I know it won’t be this way forever, but I really do miss my Abba time when I don’t get it.
I also want to mention that I just saw you live in Eden Prairie, Minnesota and I really felt the Holy Spirit speaking through you to my specific situation.
So here is to becoming untangled and staying that way.
Thank you so much Mama!!!
Love your beloved Daughter in Wisconsin!!!
The Immanuel Approach.
http://www.lifemodel.com
I’m not advertising or marketing I promise. This just completely changed my life. Jesus really is with me–personally. All the time. It changes everything but especially my prayer life.
Yes, I struggle with the balance between praying for myself and praying a list. And the kind of intimacy that you described is something that I long for but do not often feel.
I keep being drawn back to an practice with ancient roots that I had to learn about because I did not grow up with it. Praying the Office, or Divine Office. I learned about it via Robert Benson’s Daily Prayer (http://dailyprayerlife.com/)and Phyllis Tickle’s The Divine Hours books.
That kind of prayer is really praise and worship.
And it was never meant to be all the prayer there is.
So I try to combine it with a “praying about everything” attitude. (Except when I don’t. Usually because of my sin.)
I also pray specific prayers, sometimes from your book, Praying God’s Word, sometimes from Stormie Omartian’s books (Power of a Praying___), sometimes from other sources.
Sometimes I keep a journal and pray for the same thing over and over. Sometimes I don’t.
I have used YWAM’s Personal Prayer Dairy and Daily Planner in the past and like its focus on unsaved people groups.
I NEVER feel competent about prayer. So much to learn, so much to pray for and about.
I have spent literal HOURS in my dear pastor’s office asking him to help me pray. The poor patient man helped me write a liturgy with pictures to go with the different sections. When I am having a mental / spiritual block, I turn to my liturgy and read it. Yes – it feels impersonal, but a few days of doing this helps me reconnect. And it keeps me praying – eve when I don’t feel like it.
Beth, this is the first time I’ve logged into your blog. I am that “journal lady”. I’m 48 years old and have been journaling since I first married in 1982. When my heart is stirred, or in a crisis or just a difficult time, I can so freely pour out my heart to God on paper. All the frantic mind racing seems to make more sense when written down. It enables my spirit to calm, but then the writings of my heart usually turn to prayer. It’s amazing the insight and healing that has taken place over the years through what God has allowed to flow through my pen. Occasionally, I share it with my husband or my closest female “sisters”, if I sense God calling me to do that. Usually God will wake me around 3:00am, and I might as well get up and answer, because sleep simply will not happen until things are poured out and He speaks to me through His Word and through what comes out on paper. It has been some of the sweetest times of my life, though not always easy.
Dear Beth,
I have been away for Memorial Day weekend, but took thoughts of this post with me and pondered. I picture God smiling at his list-making daughter (Beth) talking to him from her notebook and dutifully praying about all that needs to be prayed about. She is dutiful, so what other kind of daughter would she be in her prayer time?
Are not each of us designed by him, known by him, created differently for different purposes? A list-making lady was needed to produce those Bible Studies and grow Living Proof. Is it not okay that each of us has a different relationship with him than any other, just like our own relationships differ? Beth, your prayer life is an extension of who you are and who you are to him. All is well.
Now, there has been a question raised…a prick in your soul…so that must be addressed and answered. After all, isn’t that how we grow? This may be a time to tweak things and make them better.
Being a list-maker myself, the same tweak occurred in me. It was settled in the following way…for me, maybe not for you.
I now start out free flow….God and me. Sometimes a whole bunch pours out…Haiti gets prayed for without reminder…my heart and sin, my kids and family. On some days, when the free-flow is finished, I know it has been enough and I never crack open the prayer binder. Other times, I finish the free flow but I am not finished. I crack open the prayer lists and fill in gaps.
Still there are other times I am dry. Little or no free flow. On those days, I start with the prayer lists. I consider them like push-ups and sit-ups…the routine and necessary fitness exercises that fill in the gaps between the more creative “exercises.” And they are okay. After all, I am a soldier, aren’t I?
In short, those lists are “me,” God understands them, I am using them differently now, but when I look over them after time has gone by, it has all been brought to the throne…every country, every family member…not every day, but over time. How cool is that?
One “strategy” that was life-changing for me was to list things down a page, numbered. On the “country” page, I don’t pray for them all after the free-flow…but just the line that corresponds to the date. It makes things more personal for me. I can take my time with the country.
Freedom to be ourselves with our Father…addressing the changes we start to feel we must make…all individuals. Our Father knows.
Praise!
Beth,
I do take time every morning, whether it is 5 minutes or an hour to seek the Lord and pray. I have a list that I meditate on and update according to what is going on in the lives of those I carry in prayer. Sometimes I pray through individually, other times I offer the whole list to the Lord. (He can read) 🙂 I think my personal time with him is the most important time of my day and I don’t even want my prayer list to come between me and Him. I love your questions!!
Be blessed!
Ann
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:1-6
Great post and I especially liked your P.S. I have a Mom in a Nursing Home and I am the one she relies on. I have a husband who is very ill (has been for 2 years). I have a Mom-in-love who has just lost her hubby. I work full-time.
Why do I start with that? Because prayer is so necessary in my life. I don’t know how I would make it through a day without our LORD by my side. I am so thankful for His Spirit who lives within me.
Most of the time my prayer life is on the fly. But it is continuous. I really understand it when Scripture tells us to pray continuously. I have really learned how to do that.
But, I truly love it when I just wake in the morning (or even in the middle of the night) and just talk with my LORD. As I’ve been memorizing Scripture He brings some of it to my mind to direct me, comfort me, love me.
I love driving in my car and singing to Him from the music on the radio or talking with Him about people who come to my mind.
My favorite time is when I am just sitting and reading His Word. On my blog I have Psalm Sunday and I am so enjoying each Psalm I read and pray over. It’s so neat to hear God speaking to me through each Psalm.
Well, a little wordy, but that my life.
Came across this quote yesterday “Prayer does not interrupt life because you are to live life as if it were a prayer.” Mother Teresa
Some days I am so overwhelmed with issues, both personal and global, that I can only whisper….Help.
All I can say is God is so amazing. This is exactly where I have been lately. I spend time in His Word every morning and have my list of prayers but have not found that key time for intimacy. It has been over a year since I have done much journaling and I recently felt called to begin again. Your post has encouraged me to dust off those covers and follow the Spirits leading.
I’m going to try continuing to use my morning time for being in God’s Word and praying as directed in preparation for the day and finding additional time in the evening before bed to meet with God intimately.
Amazing! Just returned from out-of-town and read the post about prayer life. Wait till you see my Scripture for tomorrow–I had already picked out 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18(NKJV) before reading the post! I have no doubt God is up to something since prayer life has been on my mind also!!!
I came across Beth’s post this morning, and thought I would share a note that I recently sent out to our church family regarding prayer. We just lost my mother-in-law 2 weeks ago, and will most likely lose our sister-in-law very soon from my husband’s family as well. Prayer has taken on a different focus for us at the moment.
“I wanted to thank everyone who has prayed for us and my brother-in-law’s family over the past three plus weeks. This past Sunday someone mentioned to me that I was probably praying a lot right now. I thought about it and had to honestly answer that I was praying, but that my prayers were quick and short, and that most of the time I was too tired to pray. I know that God is in control and that He has plans and all that good stuff. The reality is that I lift up prayers when I think of it, but most of the time I don’t know what to pray and am too numb, just walking through each day with the challenges that each one has brought. As I continued to reflect upon these things, the Lord reminded me of an example in the Bible that was a great encouragement to me, and hopefully will be to you all as well.
There was a battle between the Israelites and the Amalekites. Moses said that he would go to the top of the hill, and as long as he held up his hands with the staff, the Israelites would win. After a time though, his arms became too tired, and he could no longer hold them up. Aaron and Hur came alongside Moses, gave him a place to sit and rest, then each one held up Moses’ arms. You, our church family, are Aaron and Hur to us right now. Thank you from our hearts. Sometimes we take for granted or never really think about the prayers of the body being anything more than words, yet in this time of our lives, what a clear example to us of the support and strength prayer offers to all. So here we are, so thankful for your support and prayers for us. I know that we will one day again be in the place of being able to support you all in prayer, just as you are for us right now.”
Balance…I strive so hard for balance. Before my feet hit the floor each morning I love to pray Isaiah 52:12…Do not go in haste or by flight…for the Lord will go before you and the God of Israel will be your rear guard. When days or weeks get busy with children’s school schedule, caring for family, or traveling I enjoy sitting with Sarah Young’s daily devo book JESUS CALLING. Journaling helps me surrender and move thru all thoughts and feelings WITH God. I enjoy truly studying God’ Word, so much that I have contemplated going to take college courses on such. I long to be used in Kingdom Building ministry. I pray God can and will use me, even me. I like Beth’s idea of intercessory and personal days being laid out. Often balance gets off kilter. self discipling and self control is key. Love to you all, Sisters
http://www.silverlining-ltrenasty.blogspot.com
mama beth-
Something else that I realized in struggling with prayer is sometimes it is hard when you don’t get what God is doing. So its hard to pray to Him. I think I finally broke free of grieving the entire last year to now. It’s just about trusting Him, and sometimes we are going to struggle with prayer in the same way we struggle with trusting Him.
love you so.
angie
Sometimes the thing I struggle with is prayerlessness. It’s not that I don’t want to or am afraid to go to the Father but I will get busy, distracted and think I will get to Him later and then I miss the oppprtunity to be with Him. I also know that prayerlessness is a tool of the enemy…in that moment I will have to stop, especially in my mind, and take that time to pray. I strive for balance…but have to really remember that it is all about a relationship with Him…to take that time with Him, not to let it slip away…to pray for me, to pray for others, etc…and even the situations on my prayer list. I know that we all so need, love, and appreciate when others pray hard for us and I want to do that others as well…the ones I love and even the ones I don’t like, and people I will never meet but are so loved by God. Also to take the time to listen to Him, even more important. Just like Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I AM God.” To live a life of prayer. I think of Phil.4 where Paul writes, “The Lord is near.” before he says to pray about everything in V.6. Just take the time to spend with Him in prayer, just take it. Thanks for all you do with Living Proof “) Debbie
Dear Siesta Sisters,
Talk about prayers! We live near Minot ND and right now with rivers over banks for alot of ND due to unprecidented snow totals and spring rain totals, the heart of the the 40,000 city of Minot must evacuate immediately by tomorrow eve. My macho guys are fueling up pickups and large livestock trailers to head in and help move people and animals to higher ground. We are not near river where we live but every one is sandbagging, helping people move, or praying. PLEASE PRAY! Betty M
I have to say that since doing the Revelation Study prayer for me has never been the same! I have one girlfriend that when I ask text her for prayer she texts back “Headed to the Throne Room” and it gives me chills everytime! Right now I’m loving my prayer life, it seems I have been in a really long season of need/desperation not just for myself, but for friends and family as well. I feel so close to Him that I find myself asking Him to remind me when it’s time to be on the mountian again how much I have treasured this time (does that make sense?). When I am interceding for something I almost always bring it back around to Him and I, thanking Him and telling Him that I trust Him no matter what, how much I love Him. At times I feel a little selfish cause of it, but He is my everything so I think He’s ok with it (smile)!
Hey, sweet Beth! With two young girls at home … and homeschooling … this is what really helps me. My intercession is mostly done with my whole family. Before the girls head to bed, we pray together as a family and do our best, between the four of us, to remember everyone that needs our prayer. And my main time with Jesus is when I take a hot bath most evenings and when I hit the pillow … my husband usually stays up later than I do … so it’s just me, and that is when I talk to the Lord the very most. Girls are in bed … it’s so quiet all around me. And I drift off to sleep with the Lord on my mind. (He kisses me goodnight and tucks me into bed) And that is truly when He speaks the most to me … I’m a writer, so I keep a spiral with pen by the bed!
I love you. shelli
I’ve found that as a stay-at-home mom it’s hard to get morning quiet time in. It seems simple, but I pray every morning in the shower. Sometimes it’s a long time with God and sometimes it’s shorter, but at least try to get a “Help me today, Lord!” in there. 🙂 Then, during nap time, I get time to study God’s Word and focus on our relationship. Both times are a mixture of intercession and worship and pouring out my heart.
I realize this post was last week and all, but I thought I’d still comment! With my daughter’s current schedule (she’ll be 10 mos Friday!) I was just praising God that I get to wake up to her, spend time as a family before hubby goes to work then put her down for a nap and have my quiet time. I usually take what I’ve learned/God lays on my heart with me to wash dishes or shower. The only other people I pray for daily for sure are hubby and daughter with other ‘ritual times’, but quite honestly, I pray for others when I’m asked, sometimes as I go to my phone, text, etc or as God lays others on my heart. So I am not consistent and do struggle sometimes with praying for others/not myself then vise versa. I look forward to reading other’s posts and see what I can take away from this.
I have a binder with tabs labeled A-Z. The letters don’t mean anything, just a way to divide. After each tab I have several sheets of blank paper. When I feel that there is something I should pray regularly about I write it down on the paper in a “section”. For example, work, marriage, school system, Alabama…etc. If I find a particular scripture that speaks to a certain topic I write it in the appropriate section. You get the idea. Some topics stay in there forever and some I take out when I no longer feel led to pray for it. Then, I have a sticky note. When I have time to pray I start at the front of the binder and pray for as long as I have time turning through each section. When I run out of time I put in the sticky note so that I know where to begin next time I have a moment to pray. When I get to the end I start over. This has helped SO MUCH with my feelings of being overwhelmed with so much to pray about!
When Beth described the young girl and her prayer journal she could have been describing me. I started prayer journaling after the man i was supposed to marry succumbed to his addiction to alcohol. After only a few short months I am at over 500 pages and God is pressing me to write a book. I have no idea where to start.
Hi Siestas! I have a daily gratitude journal that I’ve been keeping for a year. In it, I write 3-5 things I’m thankful for daily (almost) and then add any prayer requests of friends in it. It helps me keep the focus on Him and not on myself.
I have a “prayer journal” that I have given each day a section and I spent that day praying for that specific section. For instance, Monday is my husband and Tuesdayis myself; wednesday is specific requests, Thursday is friends and family; Friday is the USA, military, president, etc… and Saturday is for world affairs. This helps me a GREAT deal. I can look back on my notes and REALLy see God working. Its so easy to forget small things that God answers
I have found that I have times of more”traditional prayer time” and then I have developed over the years more talking to God through out my day as a way of prayer. Taking the time to ask help at many moments through my day, finding parking, moments of panics, not finding my phone,keys. Avoiding wreaks, mishaps, give God praise where praise is due. I have become more comfortable with this over the last few years as I have grown closer to God.
Honestly, I’m one of those that hasn’t made it a priority to pray for others in list form like I should. I pray for others, but it’s not structured. It’s when I think about them mostly (just being honest). I think about certain people more than others when they are going through a personal tragedy or something that they request prayer for, or I feel like they would appreciate prayer for them…I’ve spent a great deal of my first around 14 years now as a Christian focused on my own issues with Him, but I want to start praying on a regular basis for my husband, my child, my family, and for my church family, others like missionaries I’ve committed to pray for in the past. I’ve tried a list before, but figured out that I couldn’t pray for it all in one sitting once a week, that would take two hours or more? Maybe spread it out over the week, praying for certain people on certain days? I can see though, where it could be hard to balance that. I have much room to grow in my prayer life.
Thank you for this post, Beth.
I have been praying for others, yet feel God calling me away for more personal time with Him just this past week or so. I am 33 and still single, and I felt that He was telling me to begin now setting aside time on Friday nights for a “date” with Him. My relationship with Him has become more intimate lately, and I know that I’ve got to spend time just being still, listening to Him. No relationship is more important. He is the only constant, totally trustworthy Person in my life.
The question about balance has me thinking. I have been praying for others; I now realize I need to be praying for myself as well daily. I will keep thinking on this. Great question!!