From Daughterhood by Design~ By Carly Bair~
Prayer—it is a staple in my life now, but was a faraway concept not so long ago. The change began when I read the book A Young Woman After God’s Own Heart, by Elizabeth George. The first four chapters are devoted to prayer and things related to it. I had never made prayer a priority in my life before, but now God moved my heart to begin. So I did.
First, I wrote out a commitment to pray and read the Bible every day, whether I wanted to or not. Each day I read my Bible, studying as I go along. Reading Scripture consistently helps me in many ways; I have memorized many verses without even trying I then pray from my list of people and things to pray for. It is quite long, as there are more people than I can count that need prayer—including me! Praying for myself has repeatedly reminded me that yes, I have my faults, plenty of them, and I need to be prayed for just as much as everyone else. Praying for others helps me to focus on others, not merely myself. I usually look forward to my prayer time. However, if I neglect praying even for a day or two, I quickly forget the peace and joy it leaves with me. Being diligent about praying and reading the Bible has helped me immensely.
I’m not strict about it; I don’t set a timer or have a certain amount of time that I pray. Really, it is amazing how a little amount of time with God can entirely change your day. For example, one day I woke up and just felt exasperated. Have you ever had a day where everything seems to go wrong, when you are in a bad mood and are feeling sorry for yourself? That is just how I felt. Then I asked one simple question – do you want to be like this all day? I didn’t, of course, and prayed for strength to change my mood. God answered my prayer and the rest of that day was wonderful!
Now, if you are thinking, I’ve tried praying, but God never answers my prayers, let me share some things I have discovered. First of all, maybe He has answered your prayers, but you have forgotten. Try keeping a record of answered prayers, and thank God for them. Secondly, I believe God only answers prayers if they come from the heart. Oh, you can prayer whatever! You can pray, God, help me to forgive my brother, and please help me to speak kindly to him, while still fuming about an argument you had with him. If what you really want is to get back at your brother, or to simply fume about it all day, I don’t believe God will answer your prayer.
A man who is a wonderful friend of my family (he led my parents to Christ) once told my father, “God doesn’t hear half-hearted prayer.” That is so true. God hears all prayer, yes, but which prayers does He listen to? The prayers that come from the heart.
Of course, just because you pray doesn’t necessarily mean God will give you exactly what you ask for (it may not be best for you). But always pray expecting an answer. Never pray something unless you want it to happen, for that is not treating prayer like the holy, sacred thing that it is. Just think—you are talking to God!
I don’t think any rules should be applied to prayer. Prayer can be aloud or silent. You can do it while getting dressed, driving a car, showering, folding laundry, or whenever. You don’t have to be on your knees, with folded hands, or with closed eyes (although that may be helpful in keeping yourself from becoming distracted). Never think of your prayer time as something to cross off your list for the day. Instead, cherish it and draw strength from it.
Ask, and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find, knock, and it will be opened to you.
And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.
Pray without ceasing.
(Matthew 7:7, Matthew 21:22, & I Thessalonians 5:17, NASB*)
Carly Bair, her parents, and her three younger brothers live in western Washington. Carly loves to play the piano, sew, and write. She also enjoys working in the kitchen, particularly baking.
*Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, Used by Permission (www.Lockman.org). Visit Daughterhood by Design. org in the links section!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
From Daughterhood by Design~ By Carly Bair~
Prayer—it is a staple in my life now, but was a faraway concept not so long ago. The change began when I read the book A Young Woman After God’s Own Heart, by Elizabeth George. The first four chapters are devoted to prayer and things related to it. I had never made prayer a priority in my life before, but now God moved my heart to begin. So I did.
First, I wrote out a commitment to pray and read the Bible every day, whether I wanted to or not. Each day I read my Bible, studying as I go along. Reading Scripture consistently helps me in many ways; I have memorized many verses without even trying I then pray from my list of people and things to pray for. It is quite long, as there are more people than I can count that need prayer—including me! Praying for myself has repeatedly reminded me that yes, I have my faults, plenty of them, and I need to be prayed for just as much as everyone else. Praying for others helps me to focus on others, not merely myself. I usually look forward to my prayer time. However, if I neglect praying even for a day or two, I quickly forget the peace and joy it leaves with me. Being diligent about praying and reading the Bible has helped me immensely.
I’m not strict about it; I don’t set a timer or have a certain amount of time that I pray. Really, it is amazing how a little amount of time with God can entirely change your day. For example, one day I woke up and just felt exasperated. Have you ever had a day where everything seems to go wrong, when you are in a bad mood and are feeling sorry for yourself? That is just how I felt. Then I asked one simple question – do you want to be like this all day? I didn’t, of course, and prayed for strength to change my mood. God answered my prayer and the rest of that day was wonderful!
Now, if you are thinking, I’ve tried praying, but God never answers my prayers, let me share some things I have discovered. First of all, maybe He has answered your prayers, but you have forgotten. Try keeping a record of answered prayers, and thank God for them. Secondly, I believe God only answers prayers if they come from the heart. Oh, you can prayer whatever! You can pray, God, help me to forgive my brother, and please help me to speak kindly to him, while still fuming about an argument you had with him. If what you really want is to get back at your brother, or to simply fume about it all day, I don’t believe God will answer your prayer.
A man who is a wonderful friend of my family (he led my parents to Christ) once told my father, “God doesn’t hear half-hearted prayer.” That is so true. God hears all prayer, yes, but which prayers does He listen to? The prayers that come from the heart.
Of course, just because you pray doesn’t necessarily mean God will give you exactly what you ask for (it may not be best for you). But always pray expecting an answer. Never pray something unless you want it to happen, for that is not treating prayer like the holy, sacred thing that it is. Just think—you are talking to God!
I don’t think any rules should be applied to prayer. Prayer can be aloud or silent. You can do it while getting dressed, driving a car, showering, folding laundry, or whenever. You don’t have to be on your knees, with folded hands, or with closed eyes (although that may be helpful in keeping yourself from becoming distracted). Never think of your prayer time as something to cross off your list for the day. Instead, cherish it and draw strength from it.
Ask, and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find, knock, and it will be opened to you.
And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.
Pray without ceasing.
(Matthew 7:7, Matthew 21:22, & I Thessalonians 5:17, NASB*)
Carly Bair, her parents, and her three younger brothers live in western Washington. Carly loves to play the piano, sew, and write. She also enjoys working in the kitchen, particularly baking.
*Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, Used by Permission (www.Lockman.org). Visit Daughterhood by Design. org in the links section!
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