When I committed my life to the Lord a little over 15 years ago, I had no idea I had been praying wrong. My prayers were all about what I wanted and needed. I thought this was the correct way since things had been going well. We all have some bumps in the road, but my life has been relatively smooth overall.
I was single, in college, and working part-time. I can still see the speaker box in my mind and where I had written the scripture Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." I asked to be able to complete school, and God granted my wish. He was like Houdini or a magic trick to me. Back then, I didn't realize God's grace was covering me. Thank God, he only holds us accountable for what we know.
As a child, I had learned the Lord's prayer. So, I could say it from memory, but it had no real value to me. I knew to pray when someone was sick or in trouble, but since I didn't have a relationship with Christ, it wasn't significant to me.
Now, my prayer life has changed. I now know prayer is communication between me and the Father. He has the right to say yes, no, or wait. I'm no longer that little child just trying to satisfy my own desires, but I've grown to wait and be able to listen for and to God's voice. One method of learning this was through the acronym A.C.T.S. = adoration (praise and worship of who God is), confession (acknowledging what we have done and agreeing with Him that it's sin), thanksgiving (gratitude and praise to God, thanking Him for all he has done for us), and supplication (humbly petitioning God to grant us what we need). Do you take time out to sincerely pray? Have you taken the time to learn to hear God's voice? Are you spending time in His word?
Take some time and get to know him. He's worth it!
Always pray. "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Ask accoring to His will. "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us." 1 John 5:14
When praying His will, believe and you will receive. "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11:24
By reading and practicing the above scriptures…over time, I’ve been learning how to incorporate Christ into every area of my life.
Below are two books that God has inspired me to write. "The Flip Side" and "Blinded By Sight: The Heart Matters" both available now.
So… what’s this book about?
“The Flip Side” depicts the possible feelings and emotions of lesser-known Biblical characters as they navigated their lives in the shadows of the more popular characters in the Bible. While the Bible gives us snippets of their stories, we are usually left in the dark about their true motives, desires, and thoughts concerning the situations they are in. However, one certainty is that despite how little we know about these characters, they were often the catalysts to pivotal moments in the main characters’ lives.
So… what’s this book about?
Join me on a journey of self-discovery. “Blinded by Sight - The Heart Matters” is a compilation of short biblical devotions. These stories are not conclusive. They are depictions of how God is revealing my heart to me.
My prayer is, Lord, make it real for me, show me your heart, show me my heart, and give me the wisdom to change what hinders my relationship with you. I am learning that my perception is my biggest obstacle it affects my mind, what I think, and how I process my experiences. What I have experienced in my mind is expressed through my feelings and these experiences dictate my choices either consciously or subconsciously.
This devotional will allow you to explore and evaluate your past and present situations that have hindered you from seeing the heart of the matter. Simply put, look at the heart – it does matter. Your future depends on it!
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalms 34:4
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