12 Days of Christian Self Examination: Day 1- How to Pray
Pray as if you are completely and comfortably in conversation with your best friend.
The prayerful conversation is one in which you listen at least as much as you speak. This is not a public prayer and should not sound like one. Your deepest, most confidential conversation never resembles a public speech or announcement, correct?
You approach prayer with comfort, not fear. If fear arises, smother it in the knowledge that God is always and forever working on behalf of your best and eternal welfare.
Grow beyond going to God in prayer and reciting the plans of others who may wish to harm you or sabotage your progress. It's a waste of time and energy as God knew all about it before you knew anything about it.
Grow beyond thinking prayer is a negotiation in which you are "reminding" or "calling to God's remembrance" what He has promised to do for you. God created the promises you trust and doesn't need to be reminded of them.
Instead, ask God to remind you of the many times your faith and obedience have been rewarded with peace, comfort, and progress.
Grow beyond thinking your fear or instability are a challenge for God. Everything God does and will ever do takes into account our weaknesses and the time it will take us to grow beyond those weaknesses.
Pray every day, even if you pray only for five or ten minutes.
Would you say "no" to a beloved friend who wants to hear from you? Don't find the time. Make the time.
Would you neglect a conversation with someone who knows everything about you and still loves you endlessly? Of course not.
Pray every day.
The prayerful conversation is one in which you listen at least as much as you speak. This is not a public prayer and should not sound like one. Your deepest, most confidential conversation never resembles a public speech or announcement, correct?
You approach prayer with comfort, not fear. If fear arises, smother it in the knowledge that God is always and forever working on behalf of your best and eternal welfare.
Grow beyond going to God in prayer and reciting the plans of others who may wish to harm you or sabotage your progress. It's a waste of time and energy as God knew all about it before you knew anything about it.
Grow beyond thinking prayer is a negotiation in which you are "reminding" or "calling to God's remembrance" what He has promised to do for you. God created the promises you trust and doesn't need to be reminded of them.
Instead, ask God to remind you of the many times your faith and obedience have been rewarded with peace, comfort, and progress.
Grow beyond thinking your fear or instability are a challenge for God. Everything God does and will ever do takes into account our weaknesses and the time it will take us to grow beyond those weaknesses.
Pray every day, even if you pray only for five or ten minutes.
Would you say "no" to a beloved friend who wants to hear from you? Don't find the time. Make the time.
Would you neglect a conversation with someone who knows everything about you and still loves you endlessly? Of course not.
Pray every day.
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