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Prayer - Part 3 - restoring our prayer life
Life has so many obstacles and twists and turns that it isn't hard to lose our way every once in awhile and forget our prayer life. For whatever reason our relationship with God gets put on hold and the next thing we know we feel all alone and God seems nowhere to be found.
Has that ever happened to you?
I have briefly described my run from God in 2002. While I have described it as being alone from 2002-2009, I wasn't. God was there, I wasn't looking or willing to see Him. At brief points in my life when I was attempting to regain my relationship with God on a "part time" basis, there were times when He did talk to me. Some were even written about and are currently on the website. One was in about 2005 and the other in 2008. Of course there were other times but these 2 had a profound impact on me.
In 2005 it had been on my mind about going to church. It wasn't anything I dwelled on too much but something that I knew I needed to do.
You Are Going To Church
It was a Sunday morning in 2005 at about 7:45 a.m. I had gone to a church a couple of times in January and here it is about 6 months later when standing at my stove that Sunday morning fixing myself some breakfast when I heard the Lord speak.
He said "You are going to church this morning.".
It didn't seem as a question nor as a demand. It seemed like the Lord was just making a statement.
I replied, "Who me?".
"Yes, aren't you the one that just this past Wednesday asked me to do something for you that was going to require a miracle?"
I replied, "Yes but"
"And here just 4 days later you won't even go to church and worship me?"
I said "Lord, you know the traditional service starts at 8:30 a.m."
"I know" He replies.
"And you know I really don't like the contemporary service"
"I Know"
"Lord, It is almost 7:50 now, I am just cooking breakfast, I am going to eat breakfast."
"Okay" He replied
"And I still have to take a shower"
"Okay"
"And I need to shave"
"Okay" said God
"Then get dressed and it takes at least 15 minutes to get to church and You know I don't want to go in late."
He replies "I know, but you are going to church aren't you?"
"Lord, I don't have time"
Again He said "but you are going to church aren't you?"
I finally told the Lord, "Lord, yes, I will eat my breakfast, get ready and if by chance I make it on time I will go to church"
and I thought to myself (as if the Lord couldn't hear) "I'm not going to break my neck getting there either" and by now it was 8 a.m.
I didn't just poke along as I ate breakfast nor did I rush. The same held true with the shower, shaving, dressing and driving to church.
I made it to church with 5 minutes to spare.
God truly did multiply my time.
The very next Sunday, I didn't go to church and I didn't hear from God. Perhaps He spoke but I didn't hear Him. There was nothing earth shattering that morning at church so just why was it that God insisted on me going to church?
It sure wasn't so that I could show God how obedient I am willing to be for 2 reasons.
1 - I wasn't being obedient and
2 - I can't show God anything cuz He already knows everything.
This had to be to show me something, not God.
I guess that once again He was showing me that I can count on Him for anything and He is even willing to bend the rules of physics for me if only I will allow Him.
And what I was showing myself is that even if I ask God to do something for me, I am not willing to give anything in return.
Sure, I did go to church that morning but look at what that meant.
That was God showing me that He is able and willing to take care of my request from a few days earlier. God was doing that for me.
I wasn't going to church for God's sake but for my own and on this Sunday, God was telling me something very special. It is just too bad I didn't even try to listen, much less understand His love for me and the message that He showed me.
In 2008 it was a different situation.
Hurricane Ike had just hit. There was no damage to me but it was during this time that I had a problem with a friend. Some of the things said were really aggravating me. One night I sat thinking to myself about how the next time he is in my truck and does this, I will drive way out in the country and dump him. Make him walk. That will show him.
Then I heard from God.
Why don't you pray for him?
hmmm...
After a little thought I was thinking yeah, the next time we are in Denny's or somewhere and he spouts off I will bow my head and pray for him right then and there. That will show him and hopefully make him feel bad.
I heard from God again...
Why not pray for him now?
Awww, c'mon God. That's no good but with a little thought knew God was right. I prayed for my friend right then and there with the thought of repeating this in public the next time he spouts off.
The next time we went to eat I anxiously waited his criticisms. Even tried to provoke them a time or two but he wouldn't take the bait. Finally he said, I've been feeling some convictions.
The matter was solved, not in the vengeful way I wanted but in a way that is good for everyone concerned.
Thank you God.
Clearly God was still there trying to get my attention. Sadly I was there listening but not willing to hear Him. It was me ignoring God, not the other way around.
Last year I had a new friend. A dear dear Christian whose mom is a prayer warrior like I have rarely seen. My friend had her mom praying for me and I could literally feel the difference. It wasn't long after that my prayer life was restored but only to as far as I am willing to allow.
I can tell you this, tonight I will be adding to my list of things to pray about, talking to God as my first thought upon waking up will be included. There could not be any harm in me starting my day of with a peaceful talk with my maker. It will make my days even better. I know it.
I found a lot of peace by asking God for help on specific things. At times when facing anger I would place that burden at the foot of the cross and ask for God's help. Anxiety or any other issue I was facing would be prayed about 1 at a time and placed at the foot of the cross.
It worked my friends. Anger ceased, anxiety relaxed. I found myself praying for these things nightly before going to bed. It didn't take long before I was able to actually feel thankful for each and every day. God was actually listening to me and I was listening to Him. I still do not feel my prayer life is what it was before running but I can feel it working. Even in writing this today I am being reminded of things that need to be taken care of, things like starting my day with God rather than my demons.
If your prayer life is lacking then it is time to get it back. Have some Christian friends pray for you. If you have no Christian friends then send me an email and I will pray for you.
Start by praying for something small. One thing God impressed on me during this restoration process was this, take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves. Pray for peace and/or pray for guidance in dealing with a friend. Ask for guidance in dealing with a single specific issue in your life. Don't just ask for God to make your life better or to make you happy. Details, give God the details and remember, be quiet and allow God to respond.
When you feel God helping you with that one single issue it will thrill you and make you want to ask for more. You will soon be looking for ways to increase and strengthen your prayer life. Before you know it you will be finding that peace and understanding once again.
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