Journal 1-22-14

Notes:

• Prayer is knowing God
• Psalm 90: 14-17
• Ecclesiastes 9:9 ; 4:9
• Philippians 2:13
• Job 10:1 ; 10:18 ; 19:6-7 ; 42: 5-6
• Mathew- "promises"
• "where two of you shall agree on earth concerning anything"..."where two or three are gathered together." 
• Acts
• adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication
• "The paradox of prayer is that it asks for serious effort while it can only be received as a gift. We cannot plan, organize, or manipulate God, but without careful discipline we cannot receive him either." 
• "What comes to mind when I think of prayer? Asking God for things? Praising Him? Discovering His Will"
• "Prayer is not an Aladdin's lamp which we rub in order to get what we want. It is the way we seek God's will so that we can align ourselves with it." 
• "Prayer is not about getting 'stuff' from God but about knowing God and coming to His presence." 

     So I've read this book and because I'm pretty sure that no one but Nick and Zarria will actually purchase the book and read it, I'm going to read it again slowly and give an account of each chapter.As you can see in my notes above, I have written down several Scriptures which deal with "Prayer and knowing God" which I expect you to look up and read. I particularly like Job 19:6-7. How many times have I asked the Lord in turmoil, Do you hate me? Are you there? Can you hear me? Why are you doing this to me? What have I done to deserve this? Sound familiar to any of you? I guess that my whole life I've thought that God was supposed to be at my beck and call because I needed Him right then or wanted something. I suppose He may have even granted my wishes a few times, probably because He was sick of hearing me belly ache. 

     I'm recently learning that prayer isn't always fun or easy. It takes dedication and discipline. In any relationship their has to be communication or it will fail. Prayer and bible study is the only thing I know of at present that will prepare you for the "gift of prayer and communication" that God has for us!That's how we talk to Him. That is our line of communication! So what does all this tell me? That until recently I have not been preparing myself properly to talk to God! I'm like a baby just now learning how to talk and listen! It has donned on me that those "oh crap" prayers I've been giving were probably a waste of time. Since I've been reading this book God has put it on my heart to learn to pray and pray with someone else. I'd like to think that Angela and I could pick a time to start praying together at the same time or day while separated and maybe my kids could chime in as well. We could take 5 minutes a day at the same time to say a short prayer together! It would take discipline and dedication but would be very rewarding I'm sure! 

     If I took anything out of this chapter it would be this. Praying is not an "oh crap" thing. To be done properly it needs to be done daily and we need to give God time to answer. Also, if we don't apply our hearts to the knowledge He gives us our prayers may fall on deaf ears! 

Random Thoughts: In Matthew 13: 1-9, the parable of the sower, I can so see my life choices coming to life. It's kind of cool to me how in God's kingdom everything is like a perfect math equation. When all is applied appropriately you get a whole number on the end, no remainders or fractions, just a good solid number. 

Prayer: Lord help all of us to discipline ourselves daily in prayer and bible reading so you will hear us, we will hear you, and there will be no lack of communication. Amen.