May 29, 2010

Saturday afternoon...{D}

Prayer...

One of the wonderful things about blogging is the people you meet.  I am still amazed at how God can weave people into our lives that we would otherwise have never known if we were not living in this computer age. 

This is our time...both the good and bad...it is where we have been exiled to...it is our Babylon...this is where our generation was placed to bring the God of heaven to earth. 

One of the ways that happens is through praying for others.   As I read blogs, in the midst of the beautiful ways God has blessed these creative women...
I find life happening... 
health problems, wayward children, financial difficulties, military families, death, personal struggles,
and yes, joyful praise...


I've started adding prayer requests to the inside back cover of my bible.  I want to be sure and spend time in prayer for people that I have said I would pray for or that God has put on my heart to pray for and this almost 50 year old brain can sometimes (most always) be forgetful of names and specifics.  Then at least a couple of times a week, I will flip back there and spend some time with my hand over these names in prayer.

Please know that I don't share this to say, "Hey watch me pray," but just as an offering of what one person can do...I'm sure there are many of you out there who have methods that work for you...this one just happens to work for me.

While the habit of spending specific time in prayer and commune with God is essential...so is unceasing prayer.  The prayer that comes from intimately knowing God as your lifeline...your very pulse and heartbeat.

Oswald Chambers says in My Utmost for His Highest, "If we think of prayer as the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts, we think rightly. The blood flows ceaselessly, and breathing continues ceaselessly, we are not conscious of it, but it is always going on. We are not always conscious of Jesus keeping us in perfect joint with God, but if we are obeying Him, He alway is. Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life."

"I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.  I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one-as you are in me, Father, and I am in you.  And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.  I am in them and you are in me.  May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me."       John 17:20-23


Have a blessed Memorial Day weekend and pray for our military men and women.

Patty

I've linked up to Spiritual Sundays...

23 comments:

Heather Rogers said...

You are just too sweet! I thank you for all your prayers for my mother. You are a wonderful friend. :)

Shirley said...

I agree! it is a blessing and honor to pray for others. I to have a long list in my Bible. We must life others up before the Lord. The times we live in are certainly hard, how do people make it with out God? Have a safe and blessed holiday weekend.

Sandy said...

I am also a "Prayer Warrior" with you, and my brain is also almost 50 years old. Thank you so much for this post.
Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

You are wise to keep a list. The needs are so great, and changing all the time. What a privilige it is to lift each other up in prayer. I know that God answers prayer, so soon our lists will become Praise Reports!!!
:) Have a great Spiritual Sunday.

Cathy said...

Thanks for sharing those thoughts. I love those two awesome verses. Blessings ~

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

You are so sweet to have a list. Have a blessed Memorial Day!

My Cottage Charm said...

Hey Patti, :0)
I TRULY enjoyed your post today...well written and so true. :)
I'm glad you got your primer out, I was getting worried about you! LOL I have been busy as a beaver today....I started mulching at 6am and just now slowed down and it's 9:25PM!! Can't wait to show everyone what I've been working on today, but it'll be a while...they're not done yet. :)
Have a great rest of the weekend!
Love ya
Missy

My Cottage Charm said...

PS, I didn't mulch all that time! hee hee hee

Joan Hall said...

Good post, Patty. It is indeed a privilege to pray for others. I too keep a list (my 50 plus brain forgets).

Have a wonderful weekend and holiday.

Blessings,
Joan

Renee said...

I really like Oswald Chambers quote on prayer...and the scriptures you shared. I have a prayer journal too that helps me remember all I say I will pray for...the prayers of many carried me through a challenging time this year, and I know feel the need to pray for others more than ever...

A Busy Single Mom said...

Thank you for sharing these good thoughts. Love the Oswald Chambers quote. I agree there are so many wonderful bloggers out there. Thank you for your nice comments. Have a great weekend!

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

I am a cancer survivor and so is my youngest daughter. We can attest to the power of prayer in our lives. We are both doing great and thanking God for all the blessings in our lives. I would like to recommend the book, Pivotal Praying, by John Hull and Tim Elmore. It is a wonderful book about prayer. My Bible study group read it this spring and we all loved it. Love & blessings from NC!

Loren said...

I couldn't agree with you more on all these things!
#1 this blog world is such a blessing and a gift! To be joined with others that otherwise I NEVER would have known or been able to pray for or even receive their prayers is still just an amazing thing!
#2 Your list in your Bible is such a great idea and I think I will have to do that :)
#3 To be a part of this army ~ lifting them up to the LORD knowing, trusting, and expecting is such a gift and to be able to encourage and love on others is such a blessing as well!

Love this post!

Have a blessed weekend

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Dear Patty,
I read your profile and it touched my heart. Thank you for becoming a follower of my very humble blog. Most of the time I have NO idea what I am going to write or show...it is so totally unplanned but I do the best I can...most of the time. :)
Your grandbabies are adorable! It will be fun getting to know you.
We have a big age difference but we certainly have love of family, God, Country and Home in common, and of course living in Southern California.
It's so nice to meet you..
Mona

Charlotte said...

I agree with you about the people we meet through blogging. Who would have thought a few years ago that we would feel so close to so many people we have never met in person and send up many prayers on their behalf. We live in an amazing age. Thank you for sharing with us on Spiritual Sundays.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Karen said...

"I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one." Praise Jesus! Wonderful encouragement today. thanks

Nikki (Sarah) said...

your heart is beautiful....

Leslie said...

Beautiful post. You have reminded me that I should spend more time in prayer. My faith has been such a thin line for so long that I have kinda fallen out of the habit of praise and prayer.
Have a wonderful weekend.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Patty,
What a wonderful post! Prayer changes things! I've seen it over and over again! Thank you for sharing what is on your heart and your openness to follow Jesus.
I did not participate in SS this week as I am having much back pain and I am trying to blog as little as possible for a few days. Hope you're having a beautiful weekend.

Blessings,
Sandi

INSIDE THE SHRINK said...

God just orchestrates things in amazing ways. I have found some precious Christian friends by blogging. I am going on 60 so I am in desparate need of reminders. But I feel that my life is a prayer. I carry on an ongoing conversation with the Lord. I use and have used for years Oswald Chambers Devotional My Utmost For His Highest. I still grow from it. Thanks for sharing this great post. I like you. I think I will follow you. God bless.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Patty! Love Elsa

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

This is a wonderful idea. I too am almost 50 and keep a pretty note book by my computer so I can write names down because my mind does not always work the way I would like it to.
Thank-you for all of your prayers, this is one reason why I'm glad that we started Spiritual Sundays.
God Bless,
Ginger

marie said...

What a wonderful post ~ so very encouraging! Thank you so much.