Sunday, December 13, 2009

Pray


James 5: 13 -15

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well.

I read a story about Robert Stevenson and prayer. It reminded me of these scripture.

When Robert Louis Stevenson was a boy he once remarked to his mother, "Momma, you can't be good without praying." "How do you know, Robert?" she asked. "Because I've tried!" he answered. This brings to mind a story about another little fellow -- one who had been sent to his room because he had been bad. A short time later he came out and said to his mother, "I've been thinking about what I did and I said a prayer." "That's fine," she said, "if you ask God to make you good, He will help you." "Oh, I didn't ask Him to help me be good," replied the boy. "I asked Him to help you put up with me." (Daily Bread)

We should pray about everything. I know this is true, but I don't always. I always think well God is busy with someone else's stuff and doesn't need mine as well. Well, I'm not following what I need to be doing, when I don't lift my prayers to God.

When my prayer life is what it should be, my life period is better. I walk easier, I work better, my relationships are better…everything is better.

In the hospital these past two weeks, I've felt the prayers of others. I've felt comforted, I've felt strength and I know that The Lord is with me. The whole experience was and is easier because of prayers. My own prayers, my friend's prayers, and the prayers from those that I don't even know help to ease the concern. It brought peace and strength. So, let's pray!

I loved the picture today. Let's start early with the little ones about talking to God. Let's teach them to talk to God just like they do with us.

Praying,

Debbie

2 comments:

Frankie said...

Debbie, prayer and praise is what James is pointing out in that passage. Is this what God expects from us? I believe so.

After the message we heard this morning, I have been thinking on expectations. Expectations can lead to disappointments. Who am I to expect anything from the God of the Universe. I am His child and He gives what I need, not what I expect as the pastor pointed out. Such a powerful message this morning.

Perhaps I should consider what God expect from me? Prayer, praise and trust to name a few.

~The Chick~ said...

This is my favorite prayer, Debbie. As a kid, we said it every Sunday, and it never meant anything to me. Now, it means everything to me. If you believe these words, you are heaven-bound. Thank You God for this creed. It means so much to me...


THE APOSTLE’S CREED

I BELIEVE IN GOD, THE FATHER ALMIGHTY,
MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.

AND IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD: WHO WAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT,
BORN UNTO THE VIRGIN MARY,
SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE,
WAS CRUCIFIED, DIED, AND WAS BURIED.

THE THIRD DAY HE AROSE FROM THE DEADAND ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN
AND SITTETH AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD,THE FATHER ALMIGHTY,
FROM THENCE HE SHALL COME TO JUDGE
THE QUICK AND THE DEAD.

I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT,
THE HOLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH,
THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS,
THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS,
THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY,
AND THE LIFE EVERLASTING. AMEN.