Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Do you have a quiet time reserved each day for prayer? Or, do you pray throughout the day as people and situations come to mind?
Do your prayers sound formal? Or, are they more like relaxed, loving conversations with God?
For whom do you pray? For family? Friends? Co-workers? Your pastor?
Do you take time to pray for yourself? Yes! You heard me right.
Do you take time to pray for yourself?
In her inspirational book, Praying God's Word for Your Life, Kathi Lipp tells of her own struggles with learning to pray for her own needs, concerns, and worries. She testifies to the power of prayer and to the grace of God who longs to have a relationship with us. A God who wants us to turn to Him first, in good times and in bad.
A God who answers prayers.
Each chapter of this book contains anecdotes from Kathi's life or a friend's experience, describing situations which called for prayer. These are followed by scripture readings, prayers to offer, and practical steps that will help the newbie Christian or the seasoned prayer warrior breathe new life into the practice of prayer. Every category is specific. While I won't list them all here, these are some which especially spoke to my heart: When Your Overwhelmed; When You're Worried; Your Relationships with Others; Your Relationship with God, Your Hope in Christ.
As many of you know, our family is experiencing much pain and sorrow as my father's health is fast deteriorating. Yes, I am overwhelmed! Following Kathi's suggestion to feel free to turn to any section which applies to our current circumstances, I head right on over to that particular chapter.
Oh, what incredible peace I feel after reading the scriptures and prayers! Prayers whose words slipped from eye to heart to God as if they are my own. They become my own. And, I find myself standing in the very presence of our loving, gracious, understanding Lord.
Praying God's Word for Your Life is a book I cannot recommend highly enough. Just like the Bible is never a one-time read, Kathi's book will speak to you again and again, no matter where you find yourself on life's journey. I hope you will do yourself a huge favor and order it here.
And, until it arrives, my friends, pray for others, but don't forget to pray for yourself!
~
How would you describe your prayer life?
Will you pray with me?
Father, we thank You for Christian witnesses like Kathi Lipp who lead us into a closer relationship with You. Bless her and all Your servants who faithfully pray and who wish to pray faithfully. May they all know how much they are loved by You. Amen.
Connect with Kathi at KathiLipp.com
Connect with Kathi at KathiLipp.com
Llove Ya Martha & I am Praying for Y'all <3 Yes Yes reading Scriptures help much † <3
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for coming by, TomTom!
DeleteYour prayers are much appreciated, my friend. And, reading the scriptures to guide our prayers is an awesome way to stay close to the Lord.
Love and blessings to you!
Nice review Martha! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, Jay, and thanks so much for visiting!
DeleteBlessings to you!
Martha I'm so glad that Kathi's book is ministering to you during this time of suffering. I'm so grateful for a God who is bigger than any worry and who waits always with listening ears and open arms. Running into those arms and cuddling, letting love hold me, keep me, strengthen me. What a gift.
ReplyDeleteSending love to you sweet sister and prayers for you and your family.
Thank you, Leah, for stopping by today and for your prayers - I can't begin to tell you how knowing so many folks are praying is truly sustaining me during this time.
DeleteAnd, how glad I am that my Father's arms are open wide for each of us. He is holding me so close . . .
Love and blessings, my friend!
Continuing to pray WITH you FOR you.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Andy, for visiting today and for your prayers. They mean everything at this time!
DeleteBlessings, my friend!
Praying <3
ReplyDeleteThank you, my dear, for coming by and for your prayers. They are most welcome!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, what a wonderful review! Praying is a subject that is close to my heart. I grew up with a very religious mother and nana who incorporated prayer in our lives throughout the day. Nana taught me the importance of praying before I got up from bed, thanking the Lord for a new day of life. My mother enforced the importance of praying before our meals as well as saying our prayers before bedtime. I still pray throughout the day. I pray the most when I am stressed or anxious. I find that it is one of the most comforting ways to calm my restlessness. I admit that I rarely pray for myself. Just the other day, my mother mentioned that praying for oneself is as important as it is as praying for others. Kathi's book sounds like it would expand on this subject! Sending you hugs and blessings! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for visiting, Gypsy, and for sharing your experience with prayers and praying. How wonderful to have had a mom and grandmother to teach and guide you in this practice!
DeleteI, too, am a "throughout the day" prayer, but, after reading Kathi's book, I've set aside quiet time just for that purpose.
Thanks for the hugs and blessings! Sending some right back at you! :)
Praying is very personal and we pray according to what we believe. Holding you and your family in my prayer. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the prayers, Janu, and for stopping by today!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I don't actually pray. I a more of a "hey" have minutes for me, more of a mind to mind thing. Works for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by, Brenda!
DeleteIf it works for you, more power to you.
Love and blessings!
I'm still learning each day how to communicate better with the Lord...but I guess there's more listening now and admitting that I do not know how to pray.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that the Lord Himself has taught us how it is to call upon Him. Thank you for sharing the Kathi's book with us and how you have learned much from her.
When we last talked I felt the trust you have given to the Lord offering everything at this point in time. The faith that you have is very encouraging.
I continue to pray with you dear friend. Gd knows what our intentions are before we say them but He still wants to hear our version of it.
I love you so much ~ know that I am very near. God bless!
Believe it or not, Melissa, I'm still learning how to communicate with God, too. I think as we live and grow, so does the way we relate to Him. Kathi's book encouraged me to reach out to the Lord in a different way by actually praying over scripture.
DeleteAnd, you are so right - God knows our intentions before we ask, but He wants us to be in relationship with Him. I still am floored whenever I reflect upon the God of the Universe wanting to be my friend . . . Wow!
Love and blessings!