Wednesday, March 26, 2008

558 - Seriously????? - Pray again??? Serious?

Good Morning Lord - my mom and dad made it safely and have already done a lot of work with the house or on the house. We got many valances up and a few curtain rods hung as well. Today I think we will finish that up and move on to..............I don't know - cleaning out the old house... ugh! It is fun being with them though. Mom and I laugh so much! Thank you Lord!

I am getting more and more excited about the conference this weekend. I tell you what - I have needed some of the message I am going to be speaking on... on Saturday! It is entitled "Armor Up and Fight"! And to be honest, I have not armored up near enough the last month. But more than anything I think that I have not fought the good fight - I have been fighting the stupid fights or at least ones that Jesus wants to take all on His own and have me just move out of the way! Goodness gracious, will I ever learn!

Lord, you know I have very naively said in my head or even out loud - I hope no one was listening - do I really have to lift up the same request over and over and over. And certainly I know the answer to it, but still I question just to make sure. I know that 1 Thes. 5:17 says that we are to "pray continually". Well, that does not mean just every now and then. It means without stopping. Actually that verse does not bother me at all. It actually encourages me - not so much that I can come to Him at any time, but that I am able to pray in a way that suits my crazy lifestyle - go and go and go!! What if the Word said that I must sit and pray for 4 hours every morning before I get going out the door or whatever. Praise you Jesus, you actually give us what I see as an easier command. "Pray continually" - as you go and do and live, pray always!! I love that - thank you Lord! I can do that!

So as I look deeper into Eph. 6 again I see the passage ends up with prayer. You put on all your armor and are ready for the battle. Then it is time for the war, but what are we to do in the war - Pray!! I have heard it said that Prayer is our only offensive weapon. (Readers, do you agree with that?) I am not sure I would say our only offensive weapon - what about the Sword - Bible? We can swing that even though there are no arrows coming - precautionary measures! ha! Anyway - love to know your thoughts.

So, Eph. 6:18-20 says the "Pray continually" passage just a bit different. It says it in a way that there is no confusion - much more explanation, kind of like exegesis. Now how you like that word? My former pastor, Clint Pressley, would be so proud. So Lord - what is it saying?

How - Pray in the Spirit - not vainly or with false motives, but in the Spirit

When - on all occasions - not just here and there, but on all occasions -"occasions" actually means at the perfect timing and opportunity, season, etc. But that one tiny little word before "occasions" is ALL! That means ALL!

What - with all kinds of prayers and requests - the word "prayers" means just general prayer - offering up a prayer to the Lord. But "requests" means to beg specifically, supplicate, implore, prayer with particular benefits. I love that - I can pray just generally, but also I can beg, implore, seek out the Lord for a particular benefit!! Oh Lord - thank you!

The end of 18 says we are to "be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints". That is that imploring prayer again - the begging kind. He wants us to want Him desperately so that we never stop begging Him for all things - more than just general stuff. I can not ignore that it says "for all the saints", not so much praying for all my wants that I think I need and find myself begging for, but for all the saints and their needs.

And then verse 19 & 20 - Oh Jesus, would you please prompt someone to please pray that verse over me? Lord Jesus - I so want to disclose the mysteries of your word in a manner that brings others to their face and to your throne. Help me to do that boldly and fearlessly. Lord, help me not to be intimidated by whom may be in the room. Help me to obey the promptings of You. And Lord, oh Jesus, please help me to not chase rabbit trails - it can be done!

Thank you for your Word! I am so in love with you! Lord, I want you more in my life - please keep cleaning out my heart and doing a new thing! Prompt me to pray for the saints and to not give up even though I hear nothing back or no reports of change. Lord, thank you for wanting to listen. Thank you for allowing me to beg. Thank you for your many ways. Direct me, fill me, mold me, and shape me! Get me out of the way - it is all because of you! Amen!

*******************Update*****************

1)I heard from the tax man yesterday and he said we are so close with our non-profit application. It is on the "desk" of the US government waiting for approval....or denial. Please implore prayer.

2)If you are a reader, please do not forget to tell your church, women's director, whomever that you know... of a team of ladies (I don't mean we all have to come, that would be almost impossible) that come to churches for no speaking fee. We are booking now, well for the fall actually, and I am personally moving to a 1 event per month. I learn from my mistakes!

3)Please go visit the word "purse" on the blogroll and be thinking about Mother's day - or send your husband here to get you one. I currently have a great inventory, but then again I am speaking for the next cazillion weekends in a row. ugh!

4)My book collaboration with my beautiful cousin should be coming out soon - like maybe this fall. We are down to the editing part and will be turning it in so soon!! Deadline is only a few weeks away.

3 comments:

ThreeGirlyGirls said...

Good stuff this morning......and boy oh boy do I need to armor up today!!

I'm glad things are moving along with STM! Sounds great!!

The next class I'm thinking about teaching is the Angela Thomas book Do you think I'm beautiful? I'm going to take a look at it tonight at church and see if it's something that will work! I'm so excited!! Counting down the days until She Speaks!! =)

Anonymous said...

Loved this, sweet friend, and needed it!

Hey, we'll catch up when your parents aren't there! My kids are out of school and I'm not sure I'd have much phone time either.

Have a great time with your Mom and Dad!!

Blessings,
Dori

Valarie said...

Girl! This is my FAVORITE passage! I love that God's plan is for us to shield ourselves with His tools - His armor - and then stand and PRAY!! We're not told to get out there and fight. We're not told to make a plan of attack, but simply be alert and pray.

I love how The Message states a few of these verses.

"13-18Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

19-20And don't forget to pray for me. Pray that I'll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery to one and all, the Message that I, jailbird preacher that I am, am responsible for getting out."

I love that "all over but the shouting" line and how he puts "ambassador in chains" as "jailbird preacher"! That cracks me up!

Anyway, sorry this is a novelette, but you know how I feel about prayer child! On all occasions, all kinds of prayers and petitions, continually, in the Spirit!! LOVE IT GIRL!!

I will specifically pray these verses over you this weekend!
Love ya.
V