learning what prayer is....

There are a whole lot of things in this universe that only God can touch. Relationships are that way. You think you can make a relationship? No way! God brings peace. God brings joy. God brings communication. God brings warmth of heart. God brings a clarity of vision and understanding. God is the only one that can make even simple things like that work. So, we had better be talking to Him, because nothing can “work” apart from God’s interaction and intervention.

Sometimes we can be so foolish as to think we are going to waltz our way through life and be “successful” by doing things the right way, knowing the right things, acting the right way, saying the right things, hanging around the right people—if we are so foolish to think that all of these “right things” are going to accomplish anything, we WILL end up very miserable and fruitless for the rest of our lives. Life must be built out of GOD HIMSELF, not things about God. That’s just chaff to be blown away by the next little breeze that comes along. It won’t even take a big wind—a little breeze and poof!! Everything you ever built for yourself, or you thought you were building, will be gone.

These things have to do with God and God alone. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord. I’m begging you. Be men and women that pray desperately. “Prayer” is NOT one more little thing that you do, like your little trinkets that you line up: lucky rabbit’s foot of holiness, lucky rabbit’s foot of prayer, lucky rabbit’s foot of the right way to have church, lucky rabbit’s foot of being a good husband or wife, lucky rabbit’s foot of child-rearing principles… “My, aren’t we good at all these wonderful things?” So, THAT’s the “good Christian life” and all is well? I’m not talking about a lucky rabbit’s foot of prayer added on to all of our other things. I’m simply saying that everything you would ever think of in your wildest dreams, including the next time your heart beats, is totally wrapped up in God.

The phrase, “Say a little prayer for me” made me sick to my stomach long before I was a Christian, except back then I didn’t know why. “Say a little prayer for me.” That is so pathetic! What does that mean? That is so much of a fallen world—superstition and sentiment, rather than Christianity as Jesus birthed it and modeled it. We don’t teach our children to “pray,” we teach our children to commune with the Godhead. That is very different. We don’t teach them to say “little prayers.” We teach them that this world means nothing. We teach them that this world is an illusion. And we teach them to speak to the author of the unseen realm and the Conqueror of everything that is in the seen world. This little papier-mâché world that you can stick your hand right through is so meaningless, so trivial. We must go past that. We must see past that and talk to the God who created all of this illusion, this cardboard world that we live in. We must talk to, communicate with, and present requests before the One who made all of this—the One who lives in the unseen realm. We don’t say our “prayers.” We look past the seen world—and THAT is what this thing called “prayer” is!

What you are feeling right now, your emotions, your health, the work of your hands—EVERYTHING belongs to God. God Himself brings judgment to your heart, or brings peace to your heart. God Himself brings joy to your heart, or He brings misery and anguish to your heart. He determines how many hours you sleep at night. He determines whether or not you can digest your food. He determines whether or not your arms and legs and eyes work from one minute to the next. He determines whether or not a person likes you or hates you. He determines whether or not you have a child, or it’s stillborn, or whether your child lives to his or her tenth birthday. All of these things are totally wrapped up in God’s Sovereign knowledge and power and love and mercy and instruction and discipline. All of these things are from God. How can the pot say to the potter, “Well, what about this? Why did you make me this way? Well, what about that? Could you explain yourself on that one?” And, “Well, I think I’ll do it my way and you’ll just have to bless me because that’s the way it is?” Man, what fools we would be to approach life that way. God is God. God is a much bigger word than you have ever imagined. So, do you want to know what “PRAYER” is? Just view GOD properly, view your life properly, and you’ll KNOW to speak with Him deeply, and from the heart, and OFTEN.

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As I was reading through this I must admit I felt very convicted. At times my attitude has been prayer is such a chore...how deceived I have been. Prayer is a privilege to come before a mighty and awesome GOD and to speak with HIM!
I wanted to pass this along here for some few who might be blessed as well. As I learn and grow in HIM I see now more then ever what a vital and important thing it is to be able to pray, to call out to HIM and know HE is listening!

God bless
maryjane

Well said, MaryJane.

Thank you dear MaryJane, this is very true and convicting. May we be men and women of eternity. Please pray for me to be a man of prayer.

What you are feeling right now, your emotions, your health, the work of your hands—EVERYTHING belongs to God. God Himself brings judgment to your heart, or brings peace to your heart. God Himself brings joy to your heart, or He brings misery and anguish to your heart. He determines how many hours you sleep at night. He determines whether or not you can digest your food. He determines whether or not your arms and legs and eyes work from one minute to the next. He determines whether or not a person likes you or hates you.

My wife recently had double lumbar fusion after suffering from back pain for 3 years and seeing a number of doctors and those in the medical profession. Did God ordain this?

When a person has a medical issue that becomes a mystery and is really affecting a quality of life does God ordain those circumstances?

John

John wrote:When a person has a medical issue that becomes a mystery and is really affecting a quality of life does God ordain those circumstances?

John

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I think the brother sharing this was speaking to more then just medical issues, as you read you can see other things were mentioned :)

I can only share with you what the LORD is showing me in this. As I read over what I shared I considered this question, what part of my life does God not have control over? What part does HE not care about or as the writer shared determine? I believe GOD does care and involve HIMSELF in all of my life, every portion of it and I believe it all belongs to HIM. For me that was the point to what was shared, everything that I am, that I do, that goes on in my life is HIS, it all belongs to HIM! What part of a surrendered life do I get to hold on to or hold back from HIM? For me the answer is none...

God bless you John as you seek HIM in these things :)
mj

I can only share with you what the LORD is showing me in this. As I read over what I shared I considered this question, what part of my life does God not have control over? What part does HE not care about or as the writer shared determine? I believe GOD does care and involve HIMSELF in all of my life, every portion of it and I believe it all belongs to HIM. For me that was the point to what was shared, everything that I am, that I do, that goes on in my life is HIS, it all belongs to HIM! What part of a surrendered life do I get to hold on to or hold back from HIM? For me the answer is none...

I suppose an even better question is what does that look like then if God is involved in every area of our life?
It is very easy to say such a thing but in practical terms what does that look like?

I suppose an even better question is what does that look like then if God is involved in every area of our life?
It is very easy to say such a thing but in practical terms what does that look like?
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Wonderful question John!! I often consider this myself, I have even used those words when asking HIM, "what does this look like LORD in a real and practical daily living kind of way?" I often find HE directs me back to HIS SON JESUS and to examples in the BIBLE, Paul, Peter, John...These men lived daily moment by moment for CHRIST, submitting to HIM. So that kind of life is clearly possible for me to live as well, after all I have been given the same HOLY SPIRIT they were given, I have the same JESUS living in me that they did so I lack for nothing. Only my flesh, only self can get in the way of living unto the LORD through rebellion and sin on my part. So I have no excuse, my life is HIS and everything I have and am belongs to HIM.

For myself, I am seeking to walk and submit to HIM in all things and I am learning that the starting point is in realizing "its no longer I that live but CHRIST who lives in me" For me that is the key seeing that my life is no longer my own, I have surrendered it to HIM. That means that I have no rights, I have no control, I don't get to call the shots. Daily I must seek HIM, I must be in fellowship and relationship with HIM so closely that I will know HIS voice and understanding HIS leading and then as a desire to show HIM my love and devotion I will follow as HE bid me go :)

Your right of course unless daily I seek HIM unless daily I submit and surrender this life to HIM and seek to live unto HIM in "all" things then these are just words and have no value... In the end it is really all about HIM!!

Thank you for sharing with me.
God bless
maryjane

MaryJane
You really haven't answered the question. You just gave a little devotional about submitting to Him but it doesn't touch on when a person has an accident of some kind or maybe their genetics causes them to have some kind of disease and eventually it kills them. Your words are more devotion oriented and not 'God causes.... ' type of thing.

by DEADn on 2013/7/10 5:03:54

MaryJane
You really haven't answered the question. You just gave a little devotional about submitting to Him but it doesn't touch on when a person has an accident of some kind or maybe their genetics causes them to have some kind of disease and eventually it kills them. Your words are more devotion oriented and not 'God causes.... ' type of thing.
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Forgive me John. I did not realize you were looking for examples on a personal level. If its ok I will share one with you from my own life.

Three years ago my husband got a call and was told that he was being transferred from where we were living three thousand miles east to where we now are. For some this may seem like no big deal, the company moved us and my husband did have a job to go to. So whats so difficult in that, but for me, it was huge, it was my red sea moment! I have struggled my whole life with fear, fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of "what if" now here I was being asked to move from a place I have lived for more then three fourths of my life, surrounded by family and friends to go to a place I knew no one, where everything was different. Different for me is like panic time, so what was I going to do? I can tell you what I did I fell on my knees and prayed cause if my husband turned down the job there was a very good possibility he would be fired and if he took the job well I would have to cross the red sea :) So I prayed and I asked GOD what would HE have me do in this, what was HIS will for my life, my family, and HE said go. I was stunned, I was like really go, LORD you know how hard this will be for me, you know how I can't handle change, and new things, and HE said yes I know. So I prayed again and HE said go. So I put my trust in HIM realizing that my life isn't my own and I went. Things have been difficult at times since moving here, I have had some real struggles and dark storms to go through but I have grown in my faith and my walk with JESUS. You maybe wondering "how is that a GOD thing though, people get moved and promoted all the time?" Well my husband was not trying for this job, did not ask to be considered for it and there were others significantly more qualified with college degrees to do the job that were passed over so I know GOD'S hand was in it :)

There are many more examples of HIS faithfulness to me in all areas of my life, health, dangerous storms, financial, emotional, big huge events all the way down to little things that would only ever matter to me. The point is as I walk with HIM and learn to submit and live unto HIM, HE gives me all that I need to do so. Knowing I am HIS is comforting to me. I can live that life because HE gives me all that I need to do so, I can surrender and submit in all things because HE calls me to do so. I am HIS that's what I am learning and HE is capable!!

You may see my words as a devotional and that's ok cause I hope my life in some small ways reflects my devotion to HIM. It's does not change the fact that GOD is involved in every part of my life and that HE cares about every part of my life. I do know of others who suffer diseases and accidents, who have died confessing JESUS as LORD and even giving thanks for the infirmities of their bodies because it caused them to seek JESUS all the more. In the end John you may walk away not agreeing with me or the original teaching shared and that's ok. I know GOD has what HE has for each of us in the place we are right now :) I know what HE has for me and I know you feel the same way to :)

Thank you for sharing with me. Actually sharing with you today has been really good, I believe GOD has used your responses to help me today in many ways with my heart, my attitudes and just as a reminder that I am HIS and HE is mighty and awesome!! Fully capable of full ownership over my life!! Amen!!

God bless
maryjane

So then you moved and then what happened? Is your case a case in which God just gave you the peace to move and managed to get you out of your comfort zone?

With my comments I am referring to more critical situations as the original post touches on.

God controls your sleeping so what if you only manage to get 5 hours sleep a night and you are so tired that you fall asleep at the wheel? Even while trying to pray? Is it the will of God that an accident is going to occur? Probably not. At some point time we must take a responsibility.

Just as my wife, she just recently had a double lumbar fusion for an issue 3 years in the making. We did some praying and even had a few people in the church prayer for healing. She saw a number of medical people who gave her various things to do to no avail. We finally saw an Ortho surgeon and a neurosurgeon to get opinions. After a year of that she got surgery. God did not speak to our hearts to lead us in the the direction we went. We went out of frustration before we ended up doing surgery. It is possible that God ordered our steps but how do you prove that happened? It is too easy to say it was Faith- how does a situation like that grow a persons faith in God?

How does the driving situation grow ones faith in God if God controls your sleep and you don't get enough sleep and are at risk of a car accident?

These are what I am probing from the original question. It is example of why some don't believe in God or just simply think Christians are a hamburger short of a happy meal.

John

John wrote: So then you moved and then what happened? Is your case a case in which God just gave you the peace to move and managed to get you out of your comfort zone?

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HE did take me out of my comfort zone yes :) Have you ever dealt with panic attacks, or fear that becomes paralyzing, I mean to the point that you have trouble functioning? IF so then you will probably understand how much difficulty it was for me to move across country but yet I knew I had to obey HIM and go. I can't say I felt HIS peace and comfort during the entire process there were certainly dark days and difficult times that I spent much time in prayer during but then there were times to when I knew with out a doubt that HE was right there with me. Many things have happened since moving here, I have had some health issues come up that have been difficult for me being in a new place, new doctor, new expenses but GOD is bringing me through and I am learning each day to trust. Its funny you should mention sleeping as I get very little since moving to this part of the country. I often wake up in intense pain in my left hip but I am learning to trust in HIM and even use these times to spend with HIM!

John you shared:God controls your sleeping so what if you only manage to get 5 hours sleep a night and you are so tired that you fall asleep at the wheel? Even while trying to pray? Is it the will of God that an accident is going to occur? Probably not. At some point time we must take a responsibility.
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I am not sure how to respond to this. I don't think I understand what your trying to share here? Yes we are responsible for our choices and actions, I guess I would say to you if you only got five hours of sleep and feel you are a danger behind the wheel, don't drive. GOD does not desire bad things for us but there are times when bad things happen...I think the question is can you still love HIM, submit to HIM, and obey HIM regardless of what happens in this life? I may not always understand the reasons but I know GOD is in control and I trust in that.

John:How does the driving situation grow ones faith in God if God controls your sleep and you don't get enough sleep and are at risk of a car accident?
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As I read this portion GOD quickened this verse to my heart, Matthew 7:9-11

"Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him.

At first glance you may not think this applies to what you asked but for me it does. GOD does want good things for us, HE loves us and cares for every aspect of our lives and that means HE cares that I get enough sleep to drive if I need to and if I don't get enough sleep then HE gives me the wisdom to know not to get behind the will.

John you wrote:These are what I am probing from the original question. It is example of why some don't believe in God or just simply think Christians are a hamburger short of a happy meal.
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I am glad your seeking HIM on these things for yourself John. I know HE will show you what HE has for you in all of this :) As for what others who don't believe in GOD might think or those who might consider me "short a hamburger" for believing as I do that's their choice and right to do so. It has no effect on me, I don't worry about what men say or think of me. I look to GOD HE is the ONE I will stand before after all so I better be thinking about what HE thinks :)

John you shared:Just as my wife, she just recently had a double lumbar fusion for an issue 3 years in the making. We did some praying and even had a few people in the church prayer for healing. She saw a number of medical people who gave her various things to do to no avail. We finally saw an Ortho surgeon and a neurosurgeon to get opinions. After a year of that she got surgery. God did not speak to our hearts to lead us in the the direction we went. We went out of frustration before we ended up doing surgery. It is possible that God ordered our steps but how do you prove that happened? It is too easy to say it was Faith- how does a situation like that grow a persons faith in God?

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John I can't prove to you anything about GOD'S hand in the situation you shared with me about your wife and its really no my place to anyway. I can only share with you how GOD has used so many situations in my life to grow my faith and tell you how there were times in the darkest of night when HE showed me HIS will for my life and I knew that I knew it was HIM. I guess that is what faith is at least for me. Its believing and knowing HE cares about my life even when I can not see all the details. I was sorry to hear that your wife went through that ordeal though and I do hope she is doing better now. Perhaps you might seek GOD and ask HIM why HE brought the two of your through that trail. I don't know what the answer is but HE does and perhaps HE is waiting for you ask?? Just a thought.

It has been good hearing from you.

God bless
maryjane

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