HOW DO YOU PRAY
95DO YOU PRAY WITH AN OPEN MIND AND HEART AND WITH A CLEAR AND CLEAN CONSCIENCE
A RIGHT WAY AND A WRONG WAY OF PRAYING
When you begin to pray, what frame of mind are you in?
Are you angry, because some incident in your life has caused you what you believe to be unwarranted grief?
Are you feeling persecuted by other, rightly or wrongly, and want God to step up on your behalf?
Are you upset because things didn't go your way? Maybe you were driving along, not paying attention to your driving, chatting on your cell, or, fixing your makeup, or, being distracted by the children in the back seat and you got a speeding ticket for the 100th time and are about to lose your licence?
Maybe you had an accident, where someone was injured but you didn't stop, so you need God to fix it by hiding it so ou don't get found out?
Are you frustrated because God has answered your prayer but not in the fashion that you desired it to be answered, or in the time frame you thought it should be?
Myabe God's answer was "NO" Not at this time, or, not in this way, and of course you wish to disagree, and try and change His mind.
Maybe you have prayed and prayed over something important, and still God has not answered your prayer to your satisfaction.
What you are praying about is just as important as how you pray about it.
As a student, are you praying for straight "A's" without doing the necessary studying?
Are you wanting that promotion at work, regardless of whether you warrant it, or who you may have to step over to get it?
Has maybe someone hurt you or offended you, and you're asking God to punish them, maybe to cause them to fall injuring themselves, or, causing them such grief, that they might never recover from it?
Is what you are praying for, something that God should and would answer "Yes" to? Is it scripturally approved?
Have you given any consideration as to how having your prayer answered, might or might not effect others, and if it does, what might be the consequences?
When you pray does it matter whether you are sitting or standing, or on your knees. When Jesus taught the Lord's Prayer to the people He stood, yet when His prayer was deep and solemn, like in the Garden befor being taken to be crucified he knelt. The answer to this question though, is it doesn't really matter, although out of respect and reverance to my God I will kneel. He deserves it.
Many will say that it is wrong as mere finite humans to question an omnipotetent, omniscient God, about his requests or His decisions, but if you do not question God, how are you to learn and understand His Ways?
Have you ever gone for a drive, or to a prayer meeting, or for a walk in the park and invited God to join you, and had a simple conversation with Him about the beauty of the day, or the beauty of the scenery as you drive and simply thank Him.
When in a prayer meeting have you ever really sensed His awesome presence, and known that He is amongst you praying too?
Have you ever exclaimed in marvel at the flowers or wild animals in the park as you walk, and maybe have Him show you something you have neglected to see, even though you'd passed it a thousand times before?
Have you ever gone to bed after a choir practice but you can't sleep because the music is still playing over and over in your mind, like you can't turn it off?
God hears all our prayers. God answers all our prayers. Sometimes if our prayers are for the wrong reasons or we haven't asked in a proper way God's answer is not how we want or like it to be, and sometimes His answer has to be "NO". God answers prayer and answers them in His perfect timing and in His perfect way, so that we will end up with His very best answers and solutions.
Do not pray out of anger or malice, or greed, or lust, or covetousness. Always pray from your heart taking into consideration how it might effect you as well as others. "What you sow, so shall ye reap."
God will not and cannot go against Himself in order to grant us wrongful prayers.
In summary, God hears and answers all prayer, but your prayer must be inline with God as He will not do that which is not according to His will and His will is in harmony with ev erything.
CommentsLoading...
Unchained Grace my brother you are right on the mark with James 4:2-3 and I believe I covered it with my last paragraph. maybe I should have quoted the scripture but I was trying to avoid Quotes in this Hub.
You are also right to say that if we ask in the name of Jesus we shall receive what we ask for but this does not mean that if it is wrong to begin with, we should still be granted it.
Praying is not just to ask God for things or to fix things, it is also to be able to commune with our Creator and have a simple everyday conversation with Him. These sort of prayers are heard too, and sometimes you would be surprizes with what God has to say or show you.
An inspiring meditative hub DM,
As Unchained indicated, we cannot exploit God, but we can submit ourselves to Him and let God use us. We diminish the integrity of our prayers when we foolishly attempt to use God as a means of straightening out the mess we, ourselves, have created. Getting ourself in debt and begging God to get us out from under is not praying. Mumbling words to Him when our back is against the wall is not praying.
Our prayers, which is first and primarily worship, to a HOLY God are not for changing Him or to beg Him to do what we want Him to do. Rather, it is to be changed by God and to be empowered to do His divine will. Praying means going to God on His terms, not ours.
When we pray we seek His will for our lives. We petition Him for guidance, help, power, strength, mercy, forgiveness, and intercession for others. Authentic prayer emanates from a deep spiritual need and we understand where to go to get the need met.
Your statement: "When you pray does it matter whether you are sitting or standing, or on your knees. When Jesus taught the Lord's Prayer to the people He stood, yet when His prayer was deep and solemn, like in the Garden before being taken to be crucified he knelt. The answer to this question though, is it doesn't really matter, although out of respect and reverence to my God I will kneel. He deserves it." AMEN. For those that can, it expresses our humility before Almighty God. We understand that there are many who cannot physically, but bow in the spirit.
We must not forget that God, through the blood of Jesus, has us covered even in prayer for the Holy Spirit always INTERPRETS our prayers (saints), in accordance to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27, 1 Cor. 2:10-13.
Thank you for this spiritually edifying message.
Forever His,
I hope that others read this Hub too, to get the right idea as to how to pray and what to pray for or not to pray for. Our prayers must always be in accordance with God and His Word. We cannot just wildly pray for that which we do not deserve.
RevLady I fully agree with you that we should out of respect kneel to our God and Creator. One point I am not sure you caught though is that if we are simply communing with God taking a walk or going for a drive with God in our presence, and simply having a wonderful conversation with Him, not only do I think He expects us to not kneel, I think He simply enjoys the drive or the walk and the good conversation without being asked to do anything as God, except to enjoy Himself with us.
This is interesting, and as an answer to the question in the title of your hub, I pray anywhere and everywhere. I need help with something I pray, I'm thankful for something I pray, I'm happy, I'm sad. I'm always praying. Sometimes it's a bit more formal and I sit down and clasp my hands, other times I simply close my eyes and whisper a word of thanks.
nochance, That is how it should be. God loves hearing from us no matter what the situation. Like any father He is curious as to what is going on in our lives, and wants us to share it all with Him, not just the bad and difficulties but the good and fun too.
Thank you for your sharing, you are a loving Daughter of God I'm sure.
Sincerely,
Brother Dave.
I hear you dear brother. I do it all the time so I can relate. Sometimes, I am just giving praise and being worshipful in song and prayer. In fact, the key word you mentioned was relationship. God loves being in relationship with us and He never tires of hearing from us. Blessings!
Forever His,
AMEN RevLady, my worship comes in song and prayer and through my Hub writings. My relationship with My Father God is of a personal nature,and we share so many personal moments together just chatting and really getting to know each other in a special way. The closer we become with each other, the more freely we are to reveal our innermost selves, even though My Father God knows me inside and out, I can still I think surprise him with some little things.
God is Our Father as well as our best friend so we must always seek to keep him as close as possible and not just pray to him when we are in need of something.
Hi Dave!
What a great Hub and I was just telling someone of one of the ways I pray-I actually dance and pray to Christian music-turn up the volume in my apartment and go to it!!! It is probably one of the best feelings that I have during my day! I also pray on my knees, in my car, at work, actually everywhere now that I think about it. It has become engraved in me--people at work often hear me singing or talking to myself--and I don't realize that I sometimes am praying outloud. he he he. I don't really care! ;)
When I pray for others-I think the only prayer that I say specifically is when someone is being attacked by what I call 'assaults' by Satan. Other than that...I never pray for this or that-for me or for others. I just ask God to do his will for them--only God knows what we need right?
Years ago, I used to pray for specific things, of course for myself and others, it doesn't fit into my spiritual life anymore. It only makes sense that God ALREADY knows what I need-so why pray for something that may not be what I really need? I trust God-I know that when I am struggling-or even when I am happy-God already knows what it is! I belive truly that God is teaching me something...I pay attention in a different way now. If that makes sense to you?
Really good hub. I am sitting here thinking very deeply on your words. I will share something personal with you. I prayed for so long, years and years for a good husband...I still have not found him-nor has he found me. Do I think God is saying NO? Absolutely NOT. I think that God has his blueprints for me (as well as everyone else) and God knows exactly when this will happen--God is all knowing.
With that understanding...I am patient now because through all of my struggles-tradgedy-pain-sorrow-dissapointment in many potential men-none and I mean NONE-would be with me right now, in the spiritual state that I have gotten to. They would be unhappy with me-and I them. It would not be a match because I would be expected to leave God behind to be arm candy and skip down a path of darkness. That being said...
I feel I am being 'designed' just the way God wants me..and until he is done with his work-major work in me-then he may bring to me--the man who I will adore and marry and love forever. I am okay with this. I understand. If I would have gotten the things that I had "prayed" for..I would be so very unhappy now. I didn't know it at the time.
There is a reason for everything down here. I don't know what the reason is but I am assured that God does! That's all I need to know and I am comforted by this!
Great hub! Sorry I just wrote a hub.:)
Dave, I read this hub and feel I would be remiss if I didn't let you know. It's a topic I have given little thought to. I pray when I feel the urge and there are certain things that dictate the physical form I use, like when I am driving I don't bow my head and close my eyes, but I still pray. You see where I'm going with this. As for my mental state I don't think I pray out of anger, but I do pray to turn my will to his and that re-leaves me of my anger. I look back at the many times I prayed for the wrong reasons and He, God, has been quite lenient in fixing my problems of how I pray. We have talks as well as prayer, we share things that puzzle me and he seems to fix the issue in my mind. All I can add is a song that comes to mind "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" his phone is never busy and he always answers the call and listens but his reply is not always immediate or what we wish, but that is the point of a question isn't it? To find the answer, if I wanted my answer then there would be no purpose to asking. Thanks for a Good hub.
Good job, Dave. Thought-provoking.
I was thinking about the naked honesty of some of David's prayers. We ought to learn to pray with his kind of gut-honesty. Psalm 13 comes to mind.
Dear Ghost Wisper 77, Hello from chilly Canada.
I wouldn't normally take someones comments point by point and attempt to answer or comment on each part of what they are relating to me, BUT, as I was reading through your comments, I felt The Holy Spirit tugging on my heart as He whispered ever so softly in the back of my mind, that He needed me to do so, so I read through your comments a second time to let Him reveal to me what He wanted me to say.
First off, I think it totally marvellous that you would choose to incorporate prayer and dance. There are so very many ways that we can openly and freely and lovingly express ourselves to God, and your dancing is just one of them. Never Stop!
I personally have 3 forms. My most powerful,passionate, and loving one, is through music, since I have sung for God, and to God, and about God for 47 fantastic years with various church choirs. It is an automatic thing for me to be singing, day or night, at work or at home. I have music running through my veins, my heart, and my mind, day and night. I even awaken every morning with a different song or hymn playing in my head. There have actually been times,when I'd be lost in song and my boss at work or my wife or a friend would wonder if I was Okay, and I would respond that I was simply singing for God. The other two ways I have are my cooking skills, I love to cook foods from many different nationalities and I cook with a passion to experiment in different tastes and textures,and my last one is my writing skills,something that I've had since public school, but only recently, due to my lack of employment, been able to find time to put to use and cultivate.
Your ways of praying general prayers for yourself or for others, is marvellous, but I see no reason not to mention to Our Father, that if it is "His Will", that you wouldn't mind if he gave some special attention to this particular matter or that matter,just to sort of emphasize the need as we see it for extra attention, although God already knows.
Ghost wisper 77 thank you for sharing that little bit about yourself and your searching prayer for a "Soul Mate". I wonder though if you are not pre-judging mens' spirituality against your own just a little harshly. Granted you are a beautiful woman,especially your outward appearance may be dazzling to men, and this is usually noticed through a first encounter, but you may be harshly judging all men thinking that they are only seeking the asthetic beauty of a woman and seek not the true deeper inner spiritual and intillectual beauty that is beneath the surface. You are a daughter of God himself, created outwardly as well as inwardly in His image. Incase no man enters your life, keep in mind that you are a "Bride" for Christ Himself.
As I was writing this part, I was reminded of a Jamaican song from back in the 60's I'm not sure who wrote or sang it, but I think it was Bob Marley. Please do not take it the wrong way though. It goes like this.
"If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, get an ugly girl to be your wife, from my personal point of view, get an ugly girl to marry you." The point of the song is to let others know, to not be focused on the exterior trappings of outward beauty, but see the whole woman. I am not saying though that a woman should be ugly, nor should you want this for yourself to attract a man.
Lastly, Ghost wisper 77, I see what you are saying and fully agree with you about your praying for the things in life that we "Need" as opposed to the things that we "Want", and God being all knowing and extremely wise will discern for us and give to us the very best of what we truly "Need" to see us down our long road to return to Him in His perfect timing back to heaven. This should be our ultimate goal that we remain focused upon at all cost.
You already know this Ghost Wisper 77, but maybe it bears repeating just to be re-inforced. God Loves you deeply as His Daughter, and as your brother in Christ, I love you too.
Sincerely,
Brother Dave.
My brother 50 Caliber it is good to read from you again, your wisdom and insightfulness, as always comes in good timing just like God's does. Your points are well received, and your right as usual if we bowed our head in prayer and closed our eyes as we are driving, who knows what might happen.
Dear Brother Ken I know what you are saying about The Psalms and prayers of David. The one that comes to mind for me which is also one of my most favourite, because it has been put to music, is Psalm 23 "The Lord Is My Shepard" As a choir singer for 47 years, I can feel the lyrics and music coarsing through me even now as I write you. God it makes me feel good!
Sincerely,
Brother Dave.
You said "I wonder though if you are not pre-judging mens' spirituality against your own just a little harshly." Wowzi!??
Nope. I pre-judged spiritually on what path they would take me down-the dark path-or the path of light--it was not harsh but the truth. Those who appreciate the fine art of 'swinger lifestyles'but want to proclaim their love for me? It is not pre-judging to not want to take the hand of Satan and skip down the dark path. I can't go there. :)
"Marry an ugly girl if you wan't to be happy for the rest of your life?" Nope. I think the man that marries me will get the most loyal-faithful-caring loving friend they could ever imagine! That blows that theroy or song now don't it? hehehe
Met so many men who never get past outside superficial stuff-have greed and get really angry when I care and give to others and of course the swinger stuff..It would be a bigger issue now-and it was back then,sad but true-I would not be happy and I am glad God knew when I didn't.
Ghost Wisper 77 I'm sorry I was trying I think to read between the lines, and not paying attention th the lines themselves. I fully see what you are meaning now forgive me please?
Hi Dave!! Forgive you for what? ;) Typing and trying to convey my words. (I know what you are apologizing for-no problem-I have lived for a long time...we cool :)
You don't know how difficult it is as a woman,to love someone with your whole heart, adore them, admire them and love God at the same time-especially when I watch men who are making the wrong choices to walk that dark path-and you love them so deeply but you are trying to stay on the good path-it becomes such a struggle-almost as if they are making you choose between GOD or them-because they don't see how 'dark' the path is. I was so full of anger over these things! Satan getting his wedge in between us-always- NOT ONCE would they stop and look at the 'light.' They were enticed by 'darkness'and wanted to reside there. How do you love God and love a man and choose a man over God? I can't. If just once, one of them would have stopped and understood 'who' was enticing them...and got closer to God, I would still be with them and loving them even more for seeing the "light" and turning away! Sad really-don't ya think?
My dear Ghost Whisper 77 It is not only women who love as deeply as you describe, men are just as capable of such love too. The unfortunate truth is though,most men are thinking with the wrong head and not involving their hearts.
Me and my first "True love", WOW! yes she was beautiful, the only thing that could be more beautiful would be an angel from heaven, but we shared a passion together for music and singing that transcended everything else. We would sing in church together,rehearse together, simply enjoy playing music and singing, anytime night or day. A short walk down that garden path never once entered either of our minds. Our plan was to finish our schooling, and then marry.
And then along came Satan to mess things up.
During the summer, while I was away with my family for a weeks vacation she was raped, which ended up with her becoming pregnant,I tried to stay by her but her parents couldn't live with the shame,and her parents sent her away to relatives in Germany,so we never got to live out our dreams for our future.
I know what you are saying though about a short trip down the garden path, rather than a life-long trip together down life's highway with your "Soul Mate". A person's true "Soul Mate" is very difficult to find, yet sometimes you are as close as two ships in a dense fog at night, and you pass each other without even knowing. This is why it is always a good thing to leave the window ajar just a little, so a slight glimmer of God's light can make its way in. There will be that one special man, who will see past the "eye candy" and seek both you and the Truth and desire both in a godly way.
Sincerely,
Dave.
My window is ajar more than a little! he he he..It's open ALL THE WAY!;)
Pray in full submission...
Great hub.
You've all been misled.
Imagination is how one prays to God because God is within.
"Pray as if you have already received that for which you pray" the story goes. Sounds like a definition of imagination doesn't it?
Thank you for this inspiring hub on prayers! He never fails to answer prayer, we just need to pray not in a vengeful way out of anger etc. Happy V day and a blesssing hub as usual, Maita
Dear Ghost Whisper 77 The man who finally wins you heart and soul will receive one of the rarest of "Gems" more valuable than the largest and most brilliant of Diamonds, for he will receive the truest measure of YOUR LOVE.
Keep that window open,so that Our father in His perfect timing,can hand deliver to you the man of your prayers,chosen by Him. Your heart will know just who that man is.
Sincerely,
Brother Dave.
prettydarkhorse, Maita, Happy V'Day to you, and thank you for your heartfelt comment. I find tremendous pleasure when I am simply communing with God, rather than turning to Him in a time of need. I love sharing with Him quiet private little moments simply drawing His attention to the sound of a bird or the beauty of the skies, or a babbling brook with duck or geese swimming by. These moments are more precious for me than any other.
Sincerely,
KUYA Dave.
pkj_artist, on the contrary I fully understand what you are saying, but as I point out; Why do we only approach God when we need something or are upset or hurt, or feel the whole world is coming down around us?? What is wrong with simply communing with Him, sharing what we are seeing and observing as beauty in our everyday lives. God is not just there to help us in our times of need, He is Our Father and wishes to be able to share in every aspect of our lives here on earth.
Sincerely,
Brother Dave Mathews
It was enjoyable reading your hub and the comments and the many different ways people pray and rejoice in spirit. I myself pray in my mind and spirit a lot. When young I knelt down to pray always. It is amazing that I don't think God cares how we pray, just so we do it and if it feels good to us...We should not approach Him only when in need...no..but with thanksgiving also..I heard once that the reason we are sometimes lacking, we have not stopped to thank Him for what we already have. For instance, we got up this morning...someone else, somewhere might not have.
Great reading. Thanks to all
Ictodd1947, I fully agree with you my dear sister in Christ. I didn't mention Thanksgiving prayer because usually when something good or nice happens, we are eternally thankful and Praise The Lord. Something else we rarely than God for is as we are suffering through hard times, how often do we than God for strengthen us with His challenges as He teaches us how not to do something again.
I am 62 years old and unemployed it's in Gods hands. I never even thought to ask why I'm unemployed and can't find work, instead I asked God how can I serve Him, so he put me to work writing for Him.
Sincerely,
Brother Dave Mathews.
Brother Dave, a truly thought provoking Hub. I believe you would have gotten along well with Brother Andrew who gave us the writing, "Practicing the Presence of God." And Paul, who instructed us to "pray unceasingly" It is not irreverent to just "hang out" with God. Sometimes my best conversations with Him are when I am not formally praying but just laying out my heart whether it's in request, praise or thanksgiving. In fact when I speak love words to my Father and/or Savior it seems they just can't help but respond back. Thanks for the hub and your heart.
Blessings
Ulrike Grace
While here on earth as mere humans we pray through words, written,spoken or sung. Our spirits pray at the throne of God that no man can understand.
God Bless you for your comment, and be with you always.
Sincerely,
Brother Dave Mathews.
Hello Everyone! I have truely reading your posts, blessed to know that the wisdom of God is being shared with the world. I'd like to share a poem with you that I believe is a tool to help not only myself, but others to get a better understanding of prayer.
On Bended Knees
When I feel the need to pray
I often need a hand
For I pray for what I want
Not asking what God has planned
On Bended knees I go to question
Or to simply say, "my life's in need of a touch from you
For nothing has gone my way
In patience He listens to his wayward child
He waits for me to understand
On bended knees so meek and mild
Only then will He reveal his plan
My ways are not your ways
Your ways are not mine
But together in patience, faith and love
I'll mold you into something fine
So each day I've learned to trust
That my life is in His hands
Through prayer and faith I know I must
Give in to the Master's plan
And each day I go to that Holy Place
So my cup my overflow
With the goodness and majesty of God's grace
A joy this world doesn't know
Now humbly and in reverence
On bended knees I go
Not to question or to ask
But to praise my Father so
I can stand in the gap
For my brother who has a need
And for my sister who is lost
To plant a loving seed
And everytime I bow to Him
To ask for another's grace
His love and favor abounds in me
To strengthen me for the race
And as I pray I find great peace
For is mercy is the source
For the everlasting precious hope
That drives us to His course
Of renewed faith, love and joy
For each and every man
For in His wisdom He's give us the heart
To consummate His perfect plan...
Pray Without Ceasing - 1st Thess 5:17
For in His wisdom He's given us the heart
To consummate His perfect plan -
Pray Without Ceasing!
Dear Linda my God loving (ATE)sister, thank you for such a lovely poem that fits in so well with my Hub. God bless you Linda and be with you always.
Sincerely,
Kuya/Brother Dave Mathews.
May God Bless you for the work you do Brother Dave, your prayer posts are very thought provoking.
Hi Dave Great Job bro. Prayer is a huge topic to cover. I believe the Father smiles on you for sharing the 'Good News' in his Glorious Name. I pray each person that needs to hear is led to this page. Thank you for the loving reminder. Prayer is a beautiful gift. Much love In 'his'name' Hugs+ + + +
skye2day prayer is a very easy topic to touch on just do it from your heart and believe with your heart.
Sincerely,
Brother Dave
Wow, what a nice hub. Thanx for sharing.
nikki1 you are more than welcome, and thank you for your comment too.
I think every religion has the own way to pray to the god. But we have the same goal. nice topic my friend.
What an inspiring Hub as well as comments. I think we must always keep in mind not to pray "unreasonable" prayers as someone has said already. We cannot pray for help in something we have willfully neglected and now we want God to save us from the resultant problems. It's true,yet I think most of us do it from day to day!
Hendrika no prayer is ignored by God even those we might think unreasonable bu us as humans those prayers god still heas and answers no matter what.
Sincerely,
Brother Dave Mathews
Praseito 30 God loves every person on earth and desires the opportunity to know every person personally. He will not impose Himself on anyone but asks that they choose to know Him and to love Him and pray to Him.
Sincerely,
Brother Dave Mathews.
hi dave my prolific friend you have so many followers they are all interested to your hub. well its an inspiring hub. Reading it put me in a reflection moment, it s a reminder to all of us. the most important in prayer regardless of sorrounding or circumstances is to in tune yourself to HIM. it means your heart and mind alone to HIM. By the way regarding JUDAS, where in the bible that says he is the biological brother of JESUS?
Hopmoney wizard, I agree that we need to be fully in tune with God as we pray, more importantly our prayer needs to be inline with His Way.
Sincerely,
KUYA Dave.
Nice insight and advice. Thank You.
You're welcome.
I say the two best prayers are..
1. Father God, HELP me, I'm a sinner...
2. Father God, I ask for Your Joy and Happiness...(God knows the best route on how to get you happy and what it will take for you to be able to carry what He has given you...no use for me to ask God for things that He KNOWS that I won't be able to handle yet...ex..like a good husband...the question is not if God can supply me with a good husband...the question rather is...am I ready, healed, spiritually and emotionally able to accept such a valuable gift from God without messing it up with past hurts, or disappointments, or..or....I let God decide for me what I need and when...that also takes a whole lot of decision worries off of me...many blessings... :)
Marliza Gunter, so very nice to have you visit this Hub. Thank you for coming Here. You are perfectly right. These are two beautiful ways to approach God in prayer, and God Bless you for suggesting them. Feel free to read my other hubs too if you wish.
Sincerely with the Love of God,
Brother Dave.
i like 2 go a while & let things build up b4 actually saying anything 2 God about what's underneath. this is actually when i c results on those things. i actually write God a letter in my pc & leave it there 4 the worst of things happening inside. if something really bothers me enough, it goes in that letter. it's never long B4 i get answers.
another thing that helps my prayer life is if i wait 4 God 2 say something, like it can b about my next car. He revealed what my next car'll b. i'm seeking a '99 ford taurus. the inside is a tan color, & it'll b in excellent cond. & NO scratches. the car i lost when the motor went out was in ex. cond. her name was miracle. God revealed that car & i got it. now she's gone, but not 4-gotten. my next car'll b named goldie. the color (when sun hits it) looks just like a new gold dollar. when the sun's NOT on it, it looks kinda like a new penny. ALL features WILL work, & ALL pwr seat features WILL work. the car'll b safe. God will need 2 help me get this car due 2 limited funds. God works miracles, & i know He has 1 in store 4 me
SpaceAge As long as it works for you this is great. Just make certain to keep God in the loop.
Hello Dave Wow lots of comments. What a hub. I used to pray in desperation and out of fear. I think many were heard. Because of the wonderous mercy and grace of our Lord. Today prayer is a most precious act and benefit for me. Praying for others is asked of us. Prayer can move mountains. Every thing Chirst gave us was to help us in Life. Praise God we are not alone, we have a Savior to turn to. Great writing Dave. Your words flow in sweet harmony. Hugs Bro + + +
skye2day my sister, thank you for stopping by the Hub, and God bless you for your comment. My prayers are daily unceasing, from the moment I awaken, until I awaken the next day, as I pray in my heart and mind even as I sleep. Sometimes prayer request, sometimes prayers of thanksgiving, sometimes prayers of admiration, sometimes simple everyday conversation about a beautiful scene, or some marvellous music I wish to share with God, or just idle chit chat throughout the day. One can walk and talk with God as much as one desires.
Brother Dave.
Hi Dave, I'm just getting around to reading more hubs and I just wanted to say good job. I like this one.
Sky321, thanks for checking out this hub. I hope it will bring you into a special closeness with Our Father and Our Lord. a simple everyday conversation with a close brother like Jesus can bring us to many new doors to open and explore.
Brother Dave.
Hi Dave, fantastic hub. I do pray anywhere, anytime. Like yourself music is my passion and to give praise to our King. This is a joyous prayer. When i have a solemn prayer i go out into His creations such as trees, flowers, birds & sky. I am closer to Him in this environment than anywhere else on earth. I hear Him in the quietness as He directs me. May God richly bless your faithfulness my brother in Christ
Loves to read, thank you for dropping bye. I've been singing for the Lord now for ongoing 48 years, and loving every second of it. It seems the more joy I give God with my singing, the more joy he gives me with his love. What a blessing to serve such a loving God.
Brother Dave.
I used to prepare for prayer, sort of like having my notes ready for a meeting. But I found the more unprepared I am, the less focused on what I wanted to say, the open I am to receive. Great hub!
Joni Douglas, I think you discovered that praying is not like having a Bible Study or as you put it an office meeting, where you need notes. Prayer should come from the heart, and should be rendered freely as The Holy Spirit, flows through us. Although God is supreme, it is not like He's the chairman of the board, requiring preciseness, simply something from the heart.
Brother Dave.
Hi Brother Dave, your hub made me recall how as a little girl I would talk to God and tell him all the things in my mind and heart. I'm past 30 now and I still do those things. LOL :) Thanks for this hub!
ripplemaker, I'm so pleased to read from you that you still open up your heart to God. God loves hearing from you and from me and others. Simply inviting Him to share our day and no matter what that day might bring is a joy for God. What loving Father does not wish to be able to spend as much time as possible with His child.
God Bless you my Sister in Christ.
Brother Dave.
Lately I try to upload love instead of download what i need from GOD. HE has given me enough, I AM HAPPY and content and try to love HIM. Honestly, I feel like I have taken enough of His time with wining. I try to just do what, to me, is the hardest thing in the world to do.. NOTHING. BEING STILL, to me, is the hardest thing. To feel LOVE for GOD and BE still KNOWING HE is GOD as I do this. I take bike rides to the middle of a field and just STOP and BREATHE and not THINK. TO FEEL thanks to CHRIST without thinking. That is my latest trend, to FEEL things towards HIM to make HIM feel GOOD.. not to make myself FEEL good using HIM.. I have done enough of that personally using GOD when I need something. It's okay only if you are thanking HIM when things are good or even when its not good, if we thank HIM He will make it GOOD. I see no need in asking for anything because HE knows what I need. All I need to get better at is LOVING GOD with ALL MY MIND, HEART and SOUL. Amen, once again, great post.. gets me thinking and improving myself! You sure have the Spirit, take care.
We become so wrapped up at times in what we need or want, and ask frantically for these things from our creator. Yes we remember to thank him but it is the quiet times, letting Him just visit with us and share with us what's going on in our lives, He loves the best. Yes God loves being needed, he loves that we acknowledge his generosity in our lives, but he loves most, if and when we invite hime to share in the enjoyment too.
Brother Dave.
Good hub lots of good comments as well. Keep praying, God is working! Thanks
PrayerWarrior101, thanks for dropping by for a read and a comment. Yes God is working He never ceases to do so.
Brother Dave.
Useful and Good. I give this hub a thumbs up. Please do check out my hub on prayer. Hope it will be a blessing to you as you have been a blessing to me.
What a powerful message! I am speechless but do believe that a person will reap what they sow. With that said we should always sow great seeds. :)
AEvans; my Holy Bible teaches me that we will not only reap what we sow but 10 times more than we so.
God is not stingy and wants His children to have an abundance of everything that they need in their lives.
Brother Dave.
Hello Dave. I really enjoyed that and it really brings out some good points. God bless you.
John thank you for droppong by. Everyone is always welcome at my hubs.
Very good Dave! I truly enjoyed this and and the points you brought out. Even as Christ himself taught.
Matthew 6:5-8 (King James Version)
5. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
So often if we're not careful we can just go off rambling and just as Christ put it think because of our much speaking we accomplished much when we weren't even asking for the right thing to begin with.
Thank goodness for his Grace and mercy towards us through Christ.
Thank you for sharing this Dave and God be with always!
Robertbloggert: thank you for dropping by this Hub, and thank you also for adding some scripture to your comments. They will add to it immensely.
Brother Dave.
For the longest part of my life, I just prayed my "shopping list" the things that I wished that God would do for me and the others that I prayed for. With a forced confinement period (think jail and your would be right) I learned to pray in His will. I strive to know what He wants for my life. I have learned to spend a lot of my prayer time, just listening. Have I ever heard
God's voice, you might ask? No, not as a vocal sound, but Yes as His still small voice speaking to my inner soul. I am, and have been and hope to continue to be blessed through my relationship with God, paid for by the sacrifice of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In His service,
Obiously the shopping list didn't work. It seldom does, but being in forced confinement, I can understand, simply seeking pleasures. Been there done that. Listening to that quiet whispering voice though, that is God speaking, and as long as you trust that little voice and continue to listen, maybe one day, that shopping list will become fulfilled without asking.
Trust in Jesus Always. He'll never mislead you.
Brother Dave.
AMEN my freind! ...Not all people realize the power of prayer...
"And again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in Heaven." (Matthew 18:18)
But equally as important, the RIGHT WAY to Pray!
Rev. Ted
Beautiful! Enjoyed it very much. I do say things to God like 'Thankyou for this, What a beautiful day,etc.'
Schoolgirlforreal: Our Father enjoys and loves everysecond that we choose to talk with him no matter if it is to say thanks, or to ask His help or just to invite him to join in on a walk in the garden to show him the flowers and wildlife. Our conversation with Our Father can be as simple as smelling a rose, and asking The Father if He enjoys the aroma as much as we do.
Brother Dave.
Praying to Our heavenly Father, I wake up early in the morning giving him thanks for the new day and I give a big thank you to Jesus, for dying on the cross for me, I ask for his forgiveness, I want more love, more power, more of you in my life. I ask him what do you want me to do on this day. I ask him what is your will to be done in my life, I pray for my family, our finances, to forgive others who sins against me. My church, my pastor and his wife his family, our leaders, our nation, that God will lead our nation and restore it. That people will come to know Jesus. My husband and I do this together, a family that prays together will stay together.
God said to pray like this, "Or Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,...
When we pray this prayer as we are commanded to, we are asking that this Earth reflect what heaven is. There is no question. Whether there is a rapture matters none to me. That's God's business. But God said to pray like this. To me this means that we should not abandon hope for Earth. We should not pollute the Earth. We should be the keepers of the garden. This may appear to be an umbrella prayer - it is not. In praying this prayer we are praying for the necessities and the extras that will bless us.
The Golden Rule replaces "Thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not kill, etc." If you love your wife - you don't hurt your wife. If you truly love your brother - you don't kill him. I'll pray as Jesus told me to. The Lord's Prayer is a great prayer for every religion. God bless!
MickeyDee: I fully agree with what you have said. This does not though in any way preclude any other prayers one might speak to God with.
Brother Dave.
I just keep Micky Dee on a short leash.
your hub pleases the soul of reader..
Thank you and welcome as a new reader. I'm happy you enjoyed it.
Beautiful and thought provoking article. I still learn new things every day about prayer.
I pray at any time. Apart from home and church, it could be when I am out walking or if a family member or person comes to mind, I could pray for them..(very short)... not always out loud.
I am learning to take time to listen as prayer is a 2 way communication. I used to ramble on to God, say Amen and get on with other things. God must have been saying "Errh, could I get a word in please". lol.
I know for a certainty that Our Father is extremely patient and doesn't mind waiting for us to finish praying no matter how long it takes. AMEN!
Dave Matthews, thank you so much for this ... so encouraging and edifying to my soul. The LORD is so good, and does so love to answer our prayers, but we (I) must take the time with him ... to walk with him, and begin to know his mind ... beautiful hub and prayers.
God will take you by the hand and walk with you step by step through any situation and when you can't see the end of the journey because of confusion God will turn on the lights brighter so that the solution is more clear.
Beautifully written Dave. So many don't realize that His ways are not ours and that His thinking is not our thinking. We should always be thankful that, by His grace, we are ALLOWED to come to Him in prayer. He is a great and Merciful God and we should always come to Him giving thanks first and foremost! Then we should ask that if it be HIS will that we should have our prayer answered then so be it. The Lord has our best interest at heart always, it is all in HIS time not ours. If it is meant to be then it will be and nothing can interfere, this is where we need to be able to have faith in our father and trust that He Can and Will because He is able! God is great and He is Greatly to be praised, when praises go up the blessings come down! Be blessed my brother
kimbrewaa: God be with you dear sister for building up my message from God to the people.
Excellente Hub Dave
Yes too often we pray with a closed heart and not leaving room for the wind to blow.
God's answers sometimes isn't ours and that's why we should not pray and hope he says yes because we want a yes. That's the wrong way.
He answers in His timing and not ours so we must learn to wait and not murmur. Sometimes No over a yes we expected is just a blessing in a disguise that we only see further down the road
Thanks
ladyjojo: I couldn't have said it better.
ummm hmmm
you said it too well
~~~Cheers~~~
Dave,this is the first time that I have read one of your hubs and the reason why I selected this particular one is prayer is a very important part of my life. In fact, it underpins my life. And when I pray, I never do ask The Lord for anything. I merely express my gratitude for all that He has done, and is doing, for me. I love this hub.
Thank you I hope you find my other hubs interesting too.
Meditation is definitely an intricate part of prayer and prayer life, also fasting is good at times.
The Bible tells us that we must pray "through" the Holy Spirit to God so the prayer must start off like this.
In the name of Jesus and in through the Holy Spirit I pray...........
luckykarma: Jesus tells us: "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one goes to the Father but thru me."
It is solely thru Jesus and Him alone. Not thru Mary, not thru any apostle or sainted person only thru Jesus.
I love this particular statement you make...God will not and cannot go against Himself in order to grant us wrongful prayers. We must stay in line with His will. Thank you for an excellent article.
God proves his dedication to our prayers constantly and so long as we exercise patience and sincerety in our prayer, God will answer them in His perfect way.
Unchained Grace Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago
Dave, upon reading this Hub, a passage immediately came to mind given the scenarios you propose in the Hub.
"Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." James 4:2-3
The Lord may frequently tell us "Not yet" although we interpret this as a "No" and get frustrated believing God does not want us to have what we want. Examine your motivations. What are you asking God to fix, to cover up, to make right what you did wrong?
God is NOT our personal 'Spin Doctor' and we should not expect him to do damage control upon the results our sins have on others. We have been given free will and if we are to expect forgiveness from Him, does it not follow we should go to those we've wronged and ask their forgiveness?
We expect God to always return a prayer with what we consider a "positive response" forgetting that He sees something we've said or done which is in need of repentance.
Dave, this is a solid Hub and quite honestly, many need to remember that even though God has said that if we ask in His name we shall receive what we ask for. To glorify His Name. I refer you back, once again, to James 4:2-3.