The Gift of Prayer

Today's Truth I Thessalonians 5:17

"Pray continually." (NIV)

Friend To Friend

Even as a baby, our son, Jered, has always loved the outdoors. We lived in sunny South Florida for over twenty years and always enjoyed its climate, which allowed for year around outdoor activities. As a toddler, one of Jered's favorite places to go was the beautiful park across the street from our home. Squirrels scampered along walking trails and ducks dotted a small lake nestled under hundreds of tall oak trees. We had a routine.

Each morning after breakfast, while I cleaned up the kitchen, Jered would run to his room, grab his hat, his "cool" Disney sunglasses and push his stroller to the front door. If I was not quite ready to go he would then climb into the stroller and wait -- but just for a minute or two. Babies and toddlers are not known for their patience. At first, Jered would calmly announce his presence and his plan but if I did not respond, his voice would begin to rise in volume and his request would soon turn into a firm request, well on its way to a command. "Mom, let's go!" Guess what? We always went! Sound like your prayer life?


Many of you are great conversationalists. When you meet someone new, you find it easy to talk with them, establishing a relationship within minutes. Others are not so eloquent. You may be a little shy or withdrawn so that when you meet someone new, you touch on a new subject, like testing a hot iron, and you are out of there! Even those who are great at meeting people tend to keep things on a surface level, talking about the weather, kids, jobs, etc. We don't usually start a conversation with, "Hi! It is so good to meet you. Could you tell me how much you weigh?" Everyone knows that is breaking the rules and may result in a sharp, painful blow to the body. We keep the conversation on safe ground until the relationship can handle a deeper level of inquiry.

Sadly, some of us have never gotten past the "safe" level of conversation with God.

We thank Him for food, ask Him to heal those who are sick and then proceed to give Him our list of requests and demands. The Father wants so much more than that for us!
While it is a wonderful privilege to share our requests with God, what He really wants is our heart conversation. He wants to know what is going on in your soul -- not because He doesn't already know but because He wants to be with you and interact with you. Praying continually not only means to pray silently, but to pray out loud, talking with Him like you talk with a close friend. Praying out loud involves every sense and solidifies an awareness of His presence.

I pray out loud about everything from a parking space to the greatest crisis in my life. I have found that an ongoing conversation with God makes Him more real to me and deepens my relationship with Him. God never meant praying to be a burden but rather the most wonderful privilege of life.



Don't miss this precious gift to you from God.

He is waiting, listening for your voice!


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Let's Pray Lord, I want to know You more. I truly want my prayer life to be as natural to me as breathing. Help me to learn how to pray, to share everything with You honestly and openly. By faith, I thank You for hearing me and loving me. Thank You for the gift of prayer.
In Jesus' name, Amen.



Now It's Your Turn
Learn to recognize prayer as a privilege -- not a burden.
Examine honestly your prayer life over the last year. Has it grown and if so, how?
Think back over the last month. What prayers has God answered?

Make the commitment -- right now - to make continual prayer a heart habit.


One of the most amazing gifts in my life is a group of ladies who are committed to pray for me each and every day -- my Prayer Warriors. When a storm hits, I race to my computer and email them, asking for prayer.

They pray for my family, for each speaking engagement and every word of every book I write. There are days when I can hardly get out of bed to face the day and then I remember that they are praying!

Prayer really is a gift from God. Some of you may be thinking you don't have the time.

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Yot - 稻香 says:
yeah
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
so late?
Yot - 稻香 says:
u too
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
just reach hm..lol
Yot - 稻香 says:
so happening
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
haiz.. went 4 counselling la..
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
aiyo.. where got happemimg..
Yot - 稻香 says:
wah
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
went to hear a fren outpouring a love life..
Yot - 稻香 says:
counsel who sia
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
a long time fren.. never see 4 a yr..
:
Yot - 稻香 says:
Oh so wat loving story was convey
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
broken relationship lo wat else?
Yot - 稻香 says:
wah is it a guy or gal

Yot - 稻香 says:
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
guy..i dun mind.. but its not easy to listen and counsel..
Yot - 稻香 says:
true
Yot - 稻香 says:
i probably listen
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
ya..
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
but they want opnion lo
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
cos they no they are not logical..
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
so they want conviction and advice..
Yot - 稻香 says:
i c...
Yot - 稻香 says:
great u just help them to either lessen their pain or to lengthen their happiness eh
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
well i spoke to one.
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
then he fell out of love..
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
batting if he should hold on to it or give up..
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
therefore i was listening to every details he wanted to speak..
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
i stop him fm receiving information cos pple dun live ur life. u live ur life!
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
i was kinda blant with him direct/ gave him a piece of my mind..
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
i dun think anyone would do that.. lol
Yot - 稻香 says:
depends
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
not every one dare to confront some one ald heart broken!
Yot - 稻香 says:
true enuff
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
but i thought tat pple like them need to "wake up" lo
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
sayany them would make them feel tat they are rite to behave and think in the way they feel..
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
sorri.. i'm kinda straight forth.. if u dunno..lol
Yot - 稻香 says:
wahaha
Yot - 稻香 says:
i guess u are str8 forward ever since u are in secondary
Yot - 稻香 says:
dun you Haha

Yot - 稻香 says:
one who speak what your heart think
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
haha.. reali u feel so? cos i rem i dun talk to u alot..
Yot - 稻香 says:
you will the one who name navalite
Yot - 稻香 says:
wont u?
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
oh ya u still rem.. yaya i rem.. inthe hall i ask the principal..hehe

atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
Yot - 稻香 says:
i remember it was announce in the ext blk Morning

Yot - 稻香 says:
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
wow.. i'm amazed its in ur mind..
Yot - 稻香 says:
how many of us were cursing and swearing that we have to seat down on the floor and listen to the the principals tok... dirty the pants ... and hot weather..
Yot - 稻香 says:
but not many of us... dare to change things though
Yot - 稻香 says:
so from that incident i guess u are a str8 forward type
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
hmmm.. isee
Yot - 稻香 says:
even in NS
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
was that wat u guys were thinkin..ooops
Yot - 稻香 says:
haha for me ... at that time
Yot - 稻香 says:
maybe i was thinking this way
Yot - 稻香 says:
but sometime later..
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
so pai sei..
Yot - 稻香 says:
haha dun be paisei

Yot - 稻香 says:
u shdnt be
Yot - 稻香 says:
at least we have a name
Yot - 稻香 says:
many other school have a name... but those will be famous school
Yot - 稻香 says:
so being able to have a name... i guess we are one step closer to famous... or probably when u meet a rafflesian , you can still tok to him as a navalite
Yot - 稻香 says:
in NS
Yot - 稻香 says:
is the same things
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
wow.. i'm feel lifted of flattered? lol
Yot - 稻香 says:
not many ppl dare to change things
Yot - 稻香 says:
not many ppl can withstand the finger pointing of those who dun understand the main purpose
Yot - 稻香 says:
not many ppl can agree to certain changes even though it is changing for the better
Yot - 稻香 says:
thats wat i see in my national service
Yot - 稻香 says:
i do have a CO
Yot - 稻香 says:
commanding officer
Yot - 稻香 says:
of my unit
Yot - 稻香 says:
he gave very harsh orders
Yot - 稻香 says:
make everyone do impossible things
Yot - 稻香 says:
but in the very end
Yot - 稻香 says:
the whole camp have changed into something different
Yot - 稻香 says:
from a very old unit
Yot - 稻香 says:
to a unit with new gym
Yot - 稻香 says:
new equimpents
Yot - 稻香 says:
new street soccer courts , basketball court
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
impressive..
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
impossible things is possible when u change the way u think about life.

atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
when u are standing on the possile side( comfort zone) u see impossible
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
when u are standing on the impossile side( uncomfort zone) u see possible
Yot - 稻香 says:
nice pharse
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
it just hit mi.. hah
Yot - 稻香 says:
u probably feel incredible after u phase this
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
well.. anyone can come up with words like that..
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
no big deal..
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
i think its how pple train their mind..
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
cos i always get exposed to teaching that challenge our mind..
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
like dun be limitted by the limits of life..
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
u determine ur limits..
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
and its quite good..
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
prop u can join mi if u dun mind 4 my service on theh week ends!
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
and u can meet very sucessful pple and be impacted by their life
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
cos they choose to be different not indifferent!
Yot - 稻香 says:
wahaha
Yot - 稻香 says:
wah i think you juz insert too much info in my mind
atomgal_star@yahoo.com.sg says:
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*my fren is a non believer same age as me this yr 24yrs old.. IT support officer*


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I BELIEVE THAT.. I AM BORN TO BE DIFFERENT!

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