a deeper Prayer life

When I was getting ready this morning and realized it was the National Day of Prayer, I couldn’t stop thinking about the prayers my Mom has prayed for me all my life.

“When you were born,” she would say… “I started praying that God would bring you a godly husband.”

Now almost five years into marriage, I can see why she prayed that. The decision to marry Jeremiah has profoundly impacted my life. He has been right there with my mom when it comes to the most influential person in my life and faith.

I’m not sure what my life would look like today without my mom’s prayers. I credit so much to them.

Then I started to think about my own prayer life. Who am I praying for and with on a regular basis? How am I doing in humbling myself and truly depending on Christ for every need I have? Why am I such a slacker at it?

Prayer has never come easy for me. I know that it’s the essence of my faith in Christ. It’s knowing him more and allowing him to change me, not just circumstances. It’s getting rid of self, to pray for others. But a lot of my prayers are on the go, in the car, or with Jeremiah at night. And I want more than that.

And I know it’s up to me to discipline myself in it, not because of duty, but because I delight in all that Christ is.

Whose prayers are you grateful for? Are you reminded of anything on this National Day of Prayer?

To Get on My Knees

Today is a special day because it’s the National Day of Prayer. It is designated by the U.S. Congress as a day when Americans come together in prayer. This morning, I’ve been reflecting on the meaning of prayer. The greatest definition I’ve heard of on prayer comes from Oswald Chambers: Prayer is to Know God.

Prayer aligns my selfish will to God’s will. It focuses my heart and attention upon my Savior. I believe prayer changes things. It changes me. Prayer is humbling ourselves and saying we are not in control. Prayer leads us away from sin and closer to the cross. Prayer is the only way I know how to live this Christian life, but I definitely have a long way to go in being the woman of prayer I long to be. Most of all, prayer needs to be about others and not just myself.

In thinking of a person of prayer. My mom is the godliest woman I know. She is a woman of prayer and it’s all behind the scenes. I only hope to have the discipline to be in prayer as she does.

For the next 24 hours, we are reminded to pray for our families, country, nation, military, missionaries, church, schools, work-place, government, the President, and people and things that are near to our heart. What a privilege to live in a country with this freedom.

Here are some must see videos on prayer:

Joshua- Fighting on their Knees with teaching by Todd Phillips (inspiring true story, patriotic)

Prayer: Live Richly (an off-the-wall parady on prayer)

The Star Spangled Banner (explains itself)

Stormie O’Martian- The Power of Prayer (encouraging)

Stormie O’Martian- Struggling to Pray (a reality we all face)

Amena Brown- You (just plain powerful)

Amena Brown- Psalm 139 (a reminder of God’s love for us)

 

 

 

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