How's Your Prayer Life

by: Lisa Petrarca

Just like everyone else, I find my prayer life seems to go in cycles. I sometimes feel so convicted and have such a desire to hear from God that I spend more time praying throughout the day.

Then other times I can barely pray without my mind wondering off in several different directions, only to find myself trying to re-group and FOCUS.

I think we all go through stages, but even when we are weak God is ALWAYS there. He hears you. Be persistent in your prayer life. Push through the days that you struggle with praying. That is usually when you need it the most.

When you're so overwhelmed with everything that's going on in your life, just cry out to Him.

Praying will take away all the stress. He will carry your burdens for you.

So stop what you're doing, follow the example of Jesus Christ and go to a quiet place to talk to your Father in Heaven. He is waiting!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God , which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."~Philippians 4:6-7.

The Worry Table

In my daily "God's Little Devotional Journal" which I LOVE, I read this the other day and thought, "This is perfect for not just me, but everyone." So take a moment to see if you can relate.

The Worry Table

A military chaplain once drew up a worry table based upon the problems men and women had brought to him through his years of service. He found their worries fit into the following categories:

~ Worries about things that never happened-
40 percent.

~ Worries about past, unchangeable decisions-
30 percent.

~ Worries about illness that never happened-
12 percent.

~ Worries about adult children and friends (who were able to take care of themselves)-
10 percent.

~Worries about real problems-
8 percent.

According to his chart, 92 percent of all our worries are about things we can't control - things that are better left to God. The truths is, anxiety is rooted in a failure to trust God.

We simply don't believe He is big enough, or cares enough, to help with our problems, give us the desires of our hearts, and give us complete peace.

Once we know God's character, we can easily see how we worry for nothing most of the time. God is more than big enough and cares more than enough to help us, bless us, and protect us. Give your worries to Him, and He will replace them with His peace.

Note: I've suffered a great many catastrophes in my life. Most of them never happened.

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

I Need Help

The last few trips I've made to the store I've run across two separate elderly ladies struggling to reach an item on the top shelf at a grocery store. The item seemed to be just out of their grasp.

Standing on their tippy toes, wiggling their fingers, trying to scoot it towards the edge to catch it as it tumbled off the shelf, to no avail. They couldn't quite reach it with their fingers.

I turned the corner, wheeled my basket to the side and walked over to them.

"Would you like me to get that for you?"

"Oh yes dear, please."

I'm not extremely tall but being 5'7 and wearing heels puts me at just the right height advantage to help these struggling ladies.

I reached up, grasped the item easily and handed it to the grinning, little ladies.

Each one thanked me & proceeded to let me know how delicious the product was and that's the reason why it was so important that they get it...even if it was out of their reach.

How many times do we want things that seem out of our grasp. Hopes and dreams that we have put on the back burner for years because it doesn't seem attainable?

I find myself reaching out for my dream, only to shrink back in doubt when it seems to high.

What these ladies were unaware of was the fact that someone was just about to turn the corner. Someone who was able to help them "reach" the thing that they wanted. Someone who had an advantage.

As you reach out to pursue your hopes and dreams, before you give up...ask the Lord to help you. He has put the desire in your heart, He will help you achieve it. He has an advantage...He sees things that we cannot. He answers even your simplest prayers. He is standing right behind you, ready to help.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13