Do you go to God seeking His will for your life or do you simply want something from Him? This is a critical question because your prayers to God are not for changing Him or to beg Him to do what you want Him to do. Rather, it is to be changed by God and to be empowered to do His divine will. Man is transformed in prayer, not God. You cannot exploit God, but you can submit yourself to Him and let God use you.
It remains a mystery as to why we seem to treat God as Santa Claus or some benefactor who will give us our heart's desire and yet, require nothing of us. We want to "use" God for our own selfish purposes and give nothing in return. We seem to want God to hear our prayers but we suddenly become deaf when He speaks. Well, God is deaf to the prayers of those who are deaf to His will.
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 yourself in debt and begging God to get you out from under is not praying. Mumbling words to Him when your back is against the wall is not praying. Praying means going to God on His terms, not ours. It means drawing nearer to Him in humble submission, realizing our unmitigated unworthiness before His Holy Highness.
When we pray, we pray to the Holy with a penitent spirit. Prayer is the language of worship and recognition of our total dependence on Him. We submit ourselves and approach Him as the sinners we are who have been saved by His amazing grace. As the recipient of His mercies we offer up our grateful thanksgiving and praise in humble adoration. Our prayers honor Him with the glory due His name.
Prayer is central to our very existence; it is our communication line to God. A Christian without an authentic prayer life is like a bird without wings. We get nowhere.
When you pray, confess your sins and weaknesses and turn all your concerns over to Him. Talk to Him as you would to your best friend and confidant. Tell Him all about what is troubling you as if He did not know. Be honest and forthright. Do not hold back anything. Then ask God for guidance, help, strength, mercy, forgiveness, and intercession for others.
Authentic prayer emanates from a deep spiritual need and you understand where to go to get the need met.
Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. http://www.clergyservices4u.org She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, will be available soon.
no-contract cleaning service Glenview ..I have a big mouth. If you have read my... Read More
Matthew 2:13-15 The Flight to Egypt13 Now when they had... Read More
People have always sought the sacred. It is the Divine... Read More
"Spirit is beyond the void of space. This realm, beyond... Read More
In the early 90's I had a spontaneous Kundalini Awakening... Read More
We, a group of ordinary people who believe in Jesus... Read More
You're looking at one star in the middle of a... Read More
"If you can't dance with the devil You will never... Read More
When God first unveils a business or ministry vision that... Read More
I have a long-term goal--a life-long goal really--to develop the... Read More
You decide! We are often asked to make decisions. Decision... Read More
I can see the cops coming! They're a good thousand... Read More
Peter is a man after my own heart. I feel... Read More
I have held numerous teleconference workshops where I help individuals... Read More
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and... Read More
There's a Native American belief that before we are born,... Read More
It is within us to... Read More
Connect with Your GodDo you at times, feel fearful, depressed,... Read More
Over the past years, I have undergone a life-altering transition... Read More
I was recently asked how I interpreted the Mayan and... Read More
Greetings Divine Ones, I am going to ask you a... Read More
We may sometimes consider the difficulty that occurs with our... Read More
Attachment... Bondage... Moha... state as we may but the meaning... Read More
The question of life after death is one that continues... Read More
Since the beginning of time mankind has pondered, who God... Read More
house cleaning company Glencoe .."May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the... Read More
Karen was the name of the reception person, who sat... Read More
Being a Christian does not exempt us from having to... Read More
The Many Waters explores the universe and sifts through the... Read More
Sometimes showing up for life can seem like a major... Read More
Before the movie "Finding Nemo", came out Steve Jobs the... Read More
While it isn't my intention to insult anyone (Alright, for... Read More
I do not want curiosity seekers, who come for a... Read More
I often ask myself this question. Not in the times... Read More
Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11 (NIV) We... Read More
Want more peace and joy in your life? Daily stress... Read More
When we find spirituality, or it finds us, the experience... Read More
We'll begin with a question:What is a moral?I'd say it's... Read More
Today is the day that I'm getting back into exercise.... Read More
Until recently, miracles were usually credited to a supernatural power.... Read More
Knowing what is right and what is wrong in your... Read More
Attract and hold your family at home with some unique... Read More
The dictionary defines the word forgive as: [to pardon, as... Read More
Would you like an exciting and wonder-full resolution for the... Read More
Human beings are blessed with a unique gift: the gift... Read More
It was said that Caesar Augustus one night consulted his... Read More
Greetings Divine Ones, I am going to ask you a... Read More
"Mama, save me!"My six year old son jumped into my... Read More
Good morning Roy, good morning JosethWhat about me, were do... Read More
Healing is a special gift that any human being can... Read More
Spirituality |