Teach Us To Pray

Luke 11:1 "Lord, teach us to pray."

We pray when we need something from God and it is always our first request when all is lost. Prayer is not about getting what we want but instead about getting to know God. Oswald Chambers described it like this: When a man is at his wits' end it is not a cowardly thing to pray, it is the only way he can get into touch with reality.

Prayer is not so much about changing circumstances as it is in changing us. When we are changed then God gives us what we need to change things around us. For example, when I went through my own divorce God did not restore my marriage. Instead, he restored me to Him and I was able to accept the loss and move forward in the direction God had for my own life. 

God continues to watch over me and I understand more about unanswered prayers. They have all been answered much like a parent with yes and no. As parents we can't give our children everything they ask for but we do try to give them everything they need. God is our parent and understands what is best but through prayer he always changes us. Prayer is more about that change in us than the change of circumstances. 

Pray for everything and expect the prayer to change you more than your circumstances.

This picture was taken on my vacation on the beach, May 2013.

Thankfulness, 🎬 Take 2, Part 2

How do we be thankful during difficult times and difficult situations? It’s difficult to be thankful during sickness or relationship issues of life.

Let me know if you need prayer and encouragement today. Please pray for me as I begin to do this podcast to give others a word of hope!

Online Bible: https://www.biblegateway.com/

Worrying

  Donella has asked that I contribute some of my thoughts to her blog.  I want to share some things that God has impressed upon my heart through the years. ~Kay Smith 

Psalm 55:22 says that we are to cast our burdens upon the Lord, “and he shall sustain thee; “  I Peter 5:7 tells us to cast all our care (or worries) upon the Lord “for he careth for you.”

These are interesting and comforting words from the Word of God but so difficult to put into practice.  We worry and fret over small things and it isn’t necessary to even evaluate how we handle the really big problems.  

Our minds find ways to create hours of stress and worry.  If we believe what God says, we should literally rest on His promises.  If you have a prayer list, a good way to reflect on His care is a mark beside the prayers He has answered.  These are proofs that He cares and sustains us.  At least this is my way of remembering that God cares.

As one of the lines from an old song says, “in sunshine or shadow, He careth for you.”

I took this picture of a full moon over the mountains of Southern Spain from my mommas front porch.