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I had a conversation with a very disturbed, very misguided group of youngsters recently. That and several comments from my husband about prayer spurred me to give some thought to what I know and believe on the subject.

One of those kids made it a point to tell me that my prayers for anyone else didn't matter; that I couldn't make a difference in someone else's life. Well, that's partially true. Only the Lord can make the difference that matters! But my Savior told me when I was a very new Christian that anything I asked for, in His name, would be done that my joy might be full. I accepted that immediately and I've never stopped believing it.

Of course, I've prayed for some pretty silly things over the years. Who hasn't? It took me years to learn what's really important. On the prayer boards I visit I'm very likely to respond to a request for financial prosperity by asking the Lord to show that person that all they have to do is seek Him FIRST and then expect Him to add all the rest. In fact I respond to most requests for prayer in the same way. Because that's the basis for everything in our relationship with the Lord.

Seek Him first and all the rest will be added. He didn't say MAY be added or MIGHT be added. He said WILL be added.

Maybe the way I pray would seem silly to most. But I remember going through a lengthy period of upheaval in my life that left me as close to real despair as I'd ever been. I sat down (literally) on the curb outside my apartment and poured my heart out to Him. I cried uncontrollably for a time and told Him how hurt I was. To which he simply said "But I'll never hurt you." It was so quiet and yet so profound. I think that was probably the first time I had ever heard Him in quite that way; the first time He really seemed like a friend and a companion - someone who would be there regardless of the time or the situation.

We've had many conversations since then. My prayers are more like conversations, you see. When I ask the Lord to wrap His loving arms around someone, I really picture Him doing that. I'm a great believer in the "I see" prayer. "Lord I SEE you sitting her with me, listening and ready to act on my faith." "Lord I see this person, wrapped in your loving embrace. I SEE you ministering your love, your forgiveness and your comfort to this person."

I don't pray for the same thing, over and over. Because, by faith, once I pray for something in the name of Jesus, it's done. If I prayed as He taught me; if I believe that He is who He says He is - that He does what His Word says He does - then there's no reason to pray it again. From then on, it's time to Praise Him and thank Him for answering. It's time to stand on His Word and His promise and EXPECT Him to deliver. It's nothing I do or say. It's simple believing that He is Lord of All and that He is true to His promises and His Word.

If I'm continuously bothered by a problem or difficulty in my life, it's not God's fault. I've given only lip service to Him regarding the problem and I continue harrassing myself because I haven't truly taken it to Him in prayer and left it at the Cross for Him to deal with. I do that often too. I allow myself to get so wrapped up in the problem that I can't step back and see it for what it really is. The enemy loves that because that's one less victory Marilyn has the sense to claim and expect in her life. It's a neat trick too. The more I stay wrapped up in what I see as the problem, the less likely I am to see what God's purpose is in the situation. What can I say? I can be pretty dense sometimes. :)

So that's what I know to be true about prayer. It's very simple. He is Everything - our Life, our Light, our Love, our Peace, our Joy, our Comfort, our Healer, our Abundance and our Salvation. And nothing is impossible for Him to accomplish.


Some Other Things The Lord Has Blessed to My Heart...

About Praise** About Waiting** About Forgiveness** About Tribulations


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