tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post3784809548710085395..comments2024-03-27T18:27:40.013-07:00Comments on Meditations of my Heart: "Let us Pray, Let us Pray, Everywhere and Every Way . . ."Martha Jane Orlandohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-62466613753748897122012-09-17T23:15:27.444-07:002012-09-17T23:15:27.444-07:00I was taught to pray the rosary as a child and I e...I was taught to pray the rosary as a child and I even memorized the prayers from praying it almost every night. But I admit, I only knew how to recite it but I didn't really understand what the prayers meant back then. I only understood the words when I became an adult. And it is different when we know that it is an actual conversation with God -- I grew a much deeper understanding of His plans for my life.<br /><br />I still need to grow in my prayer life, Martha. So thank you for this wonderful reminder of how important prayer is. God bless you always! <3 :-)Irenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10328342211129410370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-51329520044337976822012-09-17T17:54:39.848-07:002012-09-17T17:54:39.848-07:00I always feel calm and relaxed after I have prayed...I always feel calm and relaxed after I have prayed. I am so happy that I have a direct link to God...He is always there and never too busy to listen to what I have to say. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post Martha! Have a blessed day!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-62360373985487828142012-09-17T13:06:51.836-07:002012-09-17T13:06:51.836-07:00the martin luther quote is one of my faves ;-*
be...the martin luther quote is one of my faves ;-*<br /><br />beautiful, inspiring post -- thank you!Dangerous Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12442306921276302945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-80578956214796240532012-09-17T08:40:59.046-07:002012-09-17T08:40:59.046-07:00Thanks so much for visiting, Melissa!
I love your ...Thanks so much for visiting, Melissa!<br />I love your account of the children's reaction when, instead of talking about praying, you actually modeled praying for them. That's when they got it! :)<br />Thank you, as always, for praying with me, dear friend. May the Holy Spirit ever teach us to pray . . .<br />Blessings to you!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-29469220845680157172012-09-17T08:38:15.022-07:002012-09-17T08:38:15.022-07:00Thanks so much for dropping by, Corinne!
Oh, yes, ...Thanks so much for dropping by, Corinne!<br />Oh, yes, so amazing is the love God has for each one of us! And, I agree wholeheartedly that, in this world filled with such craziness and evil, our prayers, our conversations with the Lord, do keep us centered and sane as we travel life's road.<br />Glad you liked the bookmark, too. It is my favorite.<br />Blessings to you!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-10151058493737125452012-09-17T08:35:43.686-07:002012-09-17T08:35:43.686-07:00Thanks so much for stopping by, Vishnu!
I agree - ...Thanks so much for stopping by, Vishnu!<br />I agree - God should never be treated as, to quote Billy Graham, a "celestial bellhop" who is supposed to meet our every whining plea. Although I don't think it's wrong to ask God for things, we should always pray that His will, not ours, be done.<br />And, yes, we do need to listen, don't we? :)<br />Blessings to you!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-58961876761095096602012-09-17T08:32:57.383-07:002012-09-17T08:32:57.383-07:00Thanks so much for visiting, Annmarie!
Yes! That&...Thanks so much for visiting, Annmarie!<br />Yes! That's exactly right - prayer changes our hearts. :)<br />Glad you enjoyed the post.<br />Blessings to you!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-65734972965649442912012-09-17T06:40:09.787-07:002012-09-17T06:40:09.787-07:00I've been reflecting on this and it's a re...I've been reflecting on this and it's a reflection for a lifetime :) It's very beautiful Martha.<br /><br />It's a 'conversation' with the One Who loves us... and the One we love...<br /><br />I do feel incomplete without talking with Him...<br /><br />In my first few months teaching the kids on prayer, we've wasted a lot of time on explaining how it is... then, one day, we prayed. And I saw the children's faces lit with joy.<br /><br />I pray with you Martha together with all the hearts gathered around here yearning to be One with Him... We pray in hope, in deep faith and in love. Come Holy Spirit, teach us to pray.Melissa Tandochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13747825707650125721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-75914188711007793492012-09-17T06:38:36.764-07:002012-09-17T06:38:36.764-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Melissa Tandochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13747825707650125721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-41127884728762848302012-09-16T22:48:19.725-07:002012-09-16T22:48:19.725-07:00I love your bookmark, Martha. Our prayers are what...I love your bookmark, Martha. Our prayers are what keeps us sane. I have moved from the God who was a jukebox to a God who walks with me and talks with me. Isn't it just wonderful to be loved so deeply by Him?Corinne Rodrigueshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11142098428026084994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-2428941888161248992012-09-16T20:43:45.783-07:002012-09-16T20:43:45.783-07:00Martha - I really enjoyed this post...especially a...Martha - I really enjoyed this post...especially about prayer not being a monologues but conversation. <br /><br />My thought is talking with God shouldn't be like an exchange with an ATM, a genie or Santa Claus:) It should be a communication, not begging or pleading. What do you think? <br /><br />Like you, I've found God to help provide wisdom, guidance, direction and strength. God usually does respond when we talk but we usually forget to listen :) <br /><br />Vishnuhttp://www.vishnusvirtues.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-84680516818559729672012-09-16T20:03:34.662-07:002012-09-16T20:03:34.662-07:00I struggled with this many yrs...why pray? God do...I struggled with this many yrs...why pray? God does not change his mind based on my prayers? I kept praying anyway...and I changed. my heart.<br />lovely post as always!!momto8https://www.blogger.com/profile/13964950285763339907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-9805284363400573562012-09-15T16:28:57.600-07:002012-09-15T16:28:57.600-07:00Oh, yes, Tameka, it's all about the conversati...Oh, yes, Tameka, it's all about the conversation - "Will you help me not be sad . . . Will you lead me?"<br />As important as our "routine" prayers are, I've found the most solace in these gentle dialogues, just sharing with God what is on my heart.<br />Thanks so much for your comment!<br />Blessings to you!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-59562866860499875312012-09-15T14:32:00.834-07:002012-09-15T14:32:00.834-07:00This is a post we all should come back to from tim...This is a post we all should come back to from time to time. I think we do get used to reciting a set number of words at the Lord because it's routine. We pray the same prayer so we "covered." We can say okay I prayed today so that takes care of that! But no, we need to go deeper in prayer and drop the structure. If we're sad we should say Lord, I'm sad. Will you help me not be sad? Or God I'm confused, I don't know which way to go. Will you lead me? I certainly need to do this more. Thanks so much for this. I needed it today. <br />:-) Tamekahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022350498501742442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-88512851578905078312012-09-15T09:19:17.528-07:002012-09-15T09:19:17.528-07:00Thanks so much for visiting today, Rachel!
I'm...Thanks so much for visiting today, Rachel!<br />I'm glad you are in conversation with God, and you're not alone in the fine-tuning department. We can all use some tweaking!<br />Blessings to you!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-48566922548458852692012-09-15T09:14:41.050-07:002012-09-15T09:14:41.050-07:00I talk to him in my head all the time and feel it ...I talk to him in my head all the time and feel it is from the heart... it always needs fine tuning though. :)Rachel Hoythttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12565668664072704971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-41201862417422770492012-09-15T05:25:44.593-07:002012-09-15T05:25:44.593-07:00Thanks so much for stopping by, Chris!
Yes! We ar...Thanks so much for stopping by, Chris!<br />Yes! We are definitely connected - I agree. And, I love how you've described your "prayer" experience as a two-way, not a one-way, street, for that is exactly what it is and should be. We see the signs when we open the eyes of our hearts . . .<br />Blessings to you!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-14183681877882046782012-09-15T05:22:33.182-07:002012-09-15T05:22:33.182-07:00Thanks so much for coming by, Susan!
I think we al...Thanks so much for coming by, Susan!<br />I think we all find our comfort zone when it comes to prayer. For some, formal prayer can be extremely personal while others need to simply be in conversation. No matter how we pray, we need to pray!<br />So glad you enjoyed the reflection and thanks for your kind words.<br />Blessings to you!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-49712339278060651832012-09-15T05:19:43.035-07:002012-09-15T05:19:43.035-07:00Thanks so much for visiting, Lynne!
Aligning yours...Thanks so much for visiting, Lynne!<br />Aligning yourself with God's will . . . what could be better? :)<br />I will definitely check out Andy Stanley's sermon; thanks for sharing the link here, my friend.<br />Blessings to you!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-75844807781804280512012-09-15T03:48:35.463-07:002012-09-15T03:48:35.463-07:00Good Morning, Martha:
This is SO VERY true:
Becaus...Good Morning, Martha:<br />This is SO VERY true:<br /><b>Because prayer isn't a monologue, it's a conversation. I talk to God then, in silence, I wait for His answer. His direction. His inspiration. His comfort.</b><br /><br />I've ALWAYS lived my life this way. How different I'd be if I didn't have a personal connection w/MY God. I carry on a conversation ALL the time. I don't consider it prayer at all. The word PRAYER in my opinion signifies a one way communication. What I have is NOT one way, because I see signs as God's answer to what I talk about. Saw your comment yesterday at my blog. <br /><br />Yes we are on the same page quite frequently. Think it shows that we are tapped into the same source. I used to find it odd how frequently I write about the same topic as other bloggers. Not anymore. Now I see it as just another example of how connected everyon and everything is.<br />--<br />ChrisChris Jennings Pendershttp://cjpwisdomandlife.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-78286907255203611022012-09-14T22:36:54.076-07:002012-09-14T22:36:54.076-07:00Martha, I loved loved this post. So many pointers ...Martha, I loved loved this post. So many pointers here for devotion and daily reflection.<br /><br />"prayer isn't about recitation, it's about relationship."<br />"prayer isn't a monologue, it's a conversation."<br /><br />I hardly pray in the conventional way. I just converse randomly. But I know that I should start being a wee serious in that area.<br /><br />Bless you for this reflection my dear teacher.<br /><br />Joy always,<br />Susan<br />S. Susan Deborahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08885957854901839400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-49307068719132801902012-09-14T20:00:53.396-07:002012-09-14T20:00:53.396-07:00Prayer---can be such a challenging learning experi...Prayer---can be such a challenging learning experience for me. In the past I wanted to direct prayer, follow a formula, cover all the topics, check all the items off my to-do-list. Currently, I am trying to align myself with God's will, knowing that he is already aware of all my small requests and concerns. Do you ever listen to Andy Stanley? He recently did a series on RED Letter prayers that took my breathe away just listening to the sermon. You can find it here: http://www.northpoint.org/messages Blessings!Lynne Wattshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02788918458763274157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-14286186611666131142012-09-14T11:24:39.559-07:002012-09-14T11:24:39.559-07:00Thanks so much for visiting, Gina!
If I didn't...Thanks so much for visiting, Gina!<br />If I didn't talk with God everyday, I wouldn't know where to turn. I like that you pray constantly for the blessings of others; that's one reason I like being a part of my prayer chain at church. Lifting others up, even when you don't know them, is an amazing feeling.<br />Blessings to you!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-43762162473508679372012-09-14T11:22:36.105-07:002012-09-14T11:22:36.105-07:00Thanks so much for coming by, Roy!
I have found th...Thanks so much for coming by, Roy!<br />I have found that "no" is a common answer in prayer, but I've learned that it always means God has a better way, a better plan, a better solution. And, yes, prayer does, indeed, keep us grounded and centered on the most important entity of our lives - the Lord!<br />I like your idea, too, of taking the formal prayers and making them personal - what a great thing to do!<br />Blessings to you!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009456656795153408.post-29117029000801779722012-09-14T10:16:18.644-07:002012-09-14T10:16:18.644-07:00I talk to God every day. I find myself asking him ...I talk to God every day. I find myself asking him to bless people I don't know,whenever I pass a memorial set up on a road where someone has passed in an accident,I ask God to comfort the family and friends left behind and to bless the person who is now with him. I feel better after I do. I talk to God as my friend and sometimes my conversation wonders off,lol,but I apologize and get back on track.This is easier for me then learned prayers,and I feel closer.Thanks again for your words....GinaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com