Fight for What is Yours!!!!!

Hello my friends!

This morning I was reading from the book of judges and came across one of my favorite scriptures.  It's an obscure verse that the Holy Spirit has used to speak to me in the past, and it still speaks to me very powerfully today.  Here it is:

**Judges 11:24 Likewise, whatever the Lord our God has given us, we will possess.**

Jephthah says this in response to the Ammonite King's reply that he was going to attack Israel because Israel had taken the Ammonite's land.  He told Jephthah to give back the land peaceably.  Though Israel inhabited the land, the Ammonite's felt Israel had no right to be there, and they wanted their land back.

Jephthah saw it quite differently.  Israel did have the right to inhabit and enjoy the land, because God had given it to them.  And it was up to God to defend the land He had given Israel.  Indeed He did.  I'll let you read Judges 10-11 for the full story.

This story teaches me that we have an enemy who wants to take what God has given us.  Our dreams. Our hope. Our joy. Our peace.  Our freedom. Our marriages. Our families. Our confidence. Our authority. Our power. Our identity. Our gifts and abilities.

All these things and more have been given to us by our lavish Father.  They are ours to enjoy, and to keep.

And yet, we have an enemy who wants to take these things away.  But he can't.  He can, however, deceive us into giving them to him peaceably.  That means without a fight.  We can allow him onto our land, sitting back passively as he takes what is ours.

_**John 10:10  The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.**_

Or we can rise up with righteous indignation!  How dare that quivering, evil, tyrant threaten to take what he cannot take!  What God has given us, is ours to possess!  So our God will give us the power to defend and fight for what is ours.

**Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.** Ephesians 6:10-12

Take note.  We don't deserve what God has given.  We can't earn what God has given.  It is ours because God has chosen to lavish is amazing love, and generous gifts on his children.

Will you Believe?

Don't worry.
Instead.  
Talk to God about every problem.  
Every challenge.  
Every circumstance.  
EVERYTHING.
Ask Him for what you need.

Let your heart overflow with gratitude, for the goodness of God, for His supremacy, for his power, for his extravagant love, for for his overflowing gifts, and abounding mercy.

And we will be protected.

The peace of God, which goes far beyond human understanding will create a great wall of protection around your heart and mind.

Worry can't enter.

Fear can't enter.

Lies can't enter.

Unbelief and doubt can't enter.

You are FULLY PROTECTED as long as you continue to believe.

Continue to trust.

Continue to pray.

Continue to rest in the power of the Master,

and continue to submit in humble obedience to our Supreme King.

He will do a great work,

an unbelievable work if only we believe.

Jesus said to Martha: “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” (She believed that Jesus was too late to help her brother Lazarus.)

Jesus told Martha to have the stone removed. Martha's response to Jesus' command was,

“But Lord...” (What's your, “But, Lord...”?)

It had been too long. His body was decaying. It's too late. It's beyond repair. She believed he could have kept lazarus from dying and she knew he would be resurrected in the last days, but to resurrect him now that he's been dead 4 days... That was a bit much. That didn't even seem like a possible option.

And yet...

Jesus continued to press her. “Will you believe?”

So Martha allowed them to move the stone. She chose to believe though her heart was full of doubt.

Faith is moving forth in what God says even when our minds are full of doubt. Even when we have a million unanswered questions. Even when all logic says, “There's no way!”

It's an attitude that says”

“This is crazy”

“I'm not sure about this, but I trust you.”

Martha knew and loved Jesus. She knew Jesus loved her, her sister and Lazarus. She had no doubt that Jesus loved them. That is where she rested her hope.

So Jesus called forth Lazarus from the grave, and the unbelievable happened. He came out. Whole and alive.

I wonder what would have happened if Martha had chosen to be practical?

Our God doesn't call us to be practical. He calls us to believe. What's more practical and sensible than to believe the Supreme Ruler of the Universe? The One who CANNOT lie because he is truth. The One who loves us perfectly and lavishly. The One who's wisdom has NO BOUNDS.

Why would we trust anyone or anything besides Him?

Overwhelmed

There are times when I become overwhelmed with my limitations. All the can'ts seem to fly at me at lightening speed from every direction. When all my failure seem to sit and judge me. When needs seemed piled up as high as Mt. Everest. And my inability to fulfill these needs are quite apparent. It can paralyze me, and cause me to give up all hope. Except that.... when I think of how I can't, I remember that God can. What a wonderful opportunity for my King to reveal Himself to be limitless, powerful, and completely able to meet every need. So instead of hiding in a corner sucking my thumb, I go before my King with boldness, knowing that He has everything I need. Everything. And He willingly supplies every single need in abundance. He witholds NO GOOD THING from me. His timing and His wisdom is perfect. He considers ever possible option, and chooses the best option. The one that brings me the Highest possible good. He chooses the perfect option for me, and every other person affected. And the option He chooses reveals His majestic glory.

I need only to ask my Father.

To trust.

To wait.

To receive.

Oh Lord, my time is limited. My plate is full with so much to do and I can't juggle it all. There are so many needs. I don't know what to do. The problems mount up seemingly against me. So many are looking at me, depending on me. I'm just a woman. I need your help. My body is weak, and there are unknown problems going on inside of me. But you see them. You are greater than all these things and my eyes look to you.

Oh mighty God, reveal yourself and rescue me! Swoop down in royal fashion and deliver me from the waves that threaten to drown me. I'm doomed unless you come.

I'm calling.

I'm waiting.

Come Jesus, Come.

If You're Waiting

If you're waiting for a blessing from God, be the blessing someone else is waiting for. 
If you're waiting for healing, be an instrument of healing someone else for someone.
If you're waiting for provision, be the provision someone else is waiting for.
If you're waiting for a big breakthrough, be apart of someone else's breakthrough.
If you're waiting for an answer to prayer, be the answer to someone else's prayer
If you're waiting to hear from God, speak the words of God to someone who needs to hear from Him.
If you want to be forgiven, give the blessing of forgiveness to someone.
If you want others to be gracious and patient with you, be gracious and patient with others.
If you really truly want to be loved and accepted  unconditionally, love and accept others unconditionally.

Don't delay. Do it today.

Saying No to Religion, and Yes to Jesus

Part of my family and I spent the morning volunteering at a local food pantry.  I spent the time getting to know people, hearing their stories, and re-introducing them to Jesus.  I say re-introduce because Jesus is so familiar, and yet so unknown.  Most people have been inundated with religious jargon, that seems completely irrelevant to our lives.  We've heard that Jesus died on the cross on our sins.  People know they should go to church, pray, read their bibles and try to be good people.  Religion is all about trying to be good.  Over and over I've heard  people talk about going back to church so they can start living better, or get themselves right.  Others go to church so that they hear an encouraging message that will jump start them for the week, then they go back to life as usual.  I spoke with a lady today who was more concerned about God answering her prayers than God himself.  "Yes, I believe God answers my prayers because I always see a rose when he does."  That's cool, but do you know God?  Why would God do something so personal, if he didn't want you to know Him intimately? 

(Many of us want God to answer our prayers, but we're uninterested in actually knowing Him. He's just our Genie-in-a-bottle.)

The American culture is full of religion.   So many of us put on religious masks that keep us from encountering the real Jesus.  We can say the "right" words.  We pray the "right" prayers.  We can quote scripture, and sing the "right" songs.  We go to church and participate in church activities.  But... do we know God(aka Jesus)?

How, you ask?

Great question.  How do you get to know anybody you want to know?  It's quite simple.  By spending time with him or her.  Get alone and spend face to face time getting to know God.  That requires, quite obviously, a recognition that there is a God to be known.  If you don't believe that God exists, why would you ever attempt to spend time with Him?  Once alone, talk to God.  We call that prayer.  If you're going to talk to God, you must believe that He's listening.  Why would you waste time talking to someone who can't hear you, or who doesn't care to listen?  Next you must listen to Him.  That's right, listen.  Of course, that means that He speaks.  Not only does that mean He speaks, but He wants to speak to each of us personally.  He speaks through His words.  Many of His words are written in the Bible.  He reveals to us who He is.  He shows is ways of working in the world.  He gives us examples of others who were His friends.  He teaches us much about ourselves and the world. 

He will speak specifically to us.  About our lives. About our destiny.  About our circumstances.  About who we are.  His words aren't simply printed words on a page, they are words that are overflowing with life, and meaning.  They are relevant and true.  They go beyond our natural understanding. They go deeper than deep.  Those who continue to dive into His word daily find themselves discovering treasure after treasure. There's an endless supply! 

God also speaks to our Spirits in ways that cannot be explained in words.  He speaks in our minds.  He speaks through creation.  He speaks in dreams and visions.  He speaks  in the silence.

And once He's spoken, we must believe His words to us.  What's the use in listening, if you won't believe? And what's the point of believing, if you won't do what He tells you to do?

We can also know Jesus by being around others who know Him--His children.  His children are also known as "the church".  God wants us learning together, praying together, and serving together.  TOGETHER is the key word.  He doesn't want us on our own.  In fact, He promises a special manifestation of His presence when we gather together.  I can't completely explain it, but I've experienced it many, many times.  When we come as humble seekers of the true and living God, expecting Him to speak to us and to do something special among us, He does.  Often, we come with our own agenda, that we expect Jesus to follow.  We often gather with others in order to check off our, Went-to-church-this-week box, rather than with the desire to meet with Jesus, and pour out our love and devotion to Him.

Don't abandon gathering with other true followers with Jesus.  Just find some true followers to gather with.  God will guide your search. He doesn't want you alone.

I'm currently reading a book that is encouraging me in my search to know the "real Jesus".  I want to know Him for myself.  So I'm reading the gospels with new ears, and new eyes, asking God's Spirit to show me the real Jesus.  The author of this book encourages His readers to do the same.  We've painted this flat, uninteresting, powerless, and quite frankly, impersonal Jesus.  We've made Him distant and unapproachable, sorta like the Pope.  That's not the real Jesus!  The real Jesus was continually surrounded with sinners.  Prostitutes. The despised. Thiefs. The sick. The demon possessed--crazies. The destitute. The broken. The  poor. Jesus welcomed these people in His presence.  Jesus isn't somewhere up in the clouds, unapproachable by us.  He wants us to know Him and to live in a continual relationship with Him. 

The last lady I spoke with today talked about her frustration with her church.  She wants more.  She thought that there was more. 

There is.

Religion doesn't fill the deepest longings of our souls.

Jesus does.

Say yes to the real Jesus.

He wants you to know Him.

My prayer

Teach me your ways
Guide me in your truth
Give me your mind
Place your words in my mouth
Release your power through my hands
Let your compassion be evident in  my eyes
Let your beauty radiate from my countenance
May peace, joy and laughter be my aroma
Yes, let me leave an aroma
everywhere I go
Like Peter's shadow brought healing
Let my shadow bring healing and life
Life
Wholeness
healing
refreshment
Everywhere my feet touch
let there be life
A trail of flowers following after me
everywhere my hands touch
let there be healing
wholeness
peace

because life overflows in me
Life that comes from you
Every time I open my mouth
May I speak hope, joy, freedom
Songs that bring rest to the restless
flowing from my pen
That didn't originate from me
But from the endless source of life
I AM
Let my every move
bring music
Let there be a change in the atmosphere
because of your presence
in me

Untitled

Blinding beauty

magnificence that we cannot begin to take in

Love that fills and overflows leaving no place untouched

compassion

gentleness

You care

it is your deepest desire that we might

know you

And you are enough

Enough

Enough

Your treasure stores are filled with inexhaustible supplies of ALL that is good

And you delight in providing for the needs of your children

If only we would ask

If only we believed

Then we would wait

Then we wouldn't try to make our own way

Then we wouldn't settle for so much less

You're not holding back

You're waiting for the best possible time

for all you give

when you give

will be good in every possible way

to give too early or too late

harms your beloved

And the arms of the One who loves

 would never bring harm

but he will bring pain

pain that brings blessing

the pain is temporary

the blessing will NEVER STOP

You are truth

there isn't even a hint of a lie in you

from your mouth comes truth

for when you speak

all things must obey

All things

Every power

Every authority

I cannot begin to fathom the greatness of this power

This power

You've placed in me?

I don't understand

I live far beneath my capability

Far beneath

I don't know how far

Oh God

stretch my mind

Help me to believe

I have resurrection power

All-surpassing power

I have authority over the enemy

Demons MUST SUBMIT to my authority as I carry out your plans

Lord, open our eyes

by your Spirit

to truly know who we are

Your Children

Your beloved

Joint heirs with Christ

Seated in Heavenly Places

Amen.

Naked and Thirsty

I've been reading through the gospels this year and more recently the Gospel of Luke.  I've been learning so much as I've been studying about the life of Jesus.  Several weeks ago I read something Jesus said that has confounded me for years.

 

Luke 5:36 He told them this parable: "No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. [37] And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. [38] No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. [39] And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, `The old is better.' "

I've heard people talk about this referring to new paradigms.  Ok.  But I really wanted to understand this parable.  So I ask my Teacher to teach me.  And Oh boy!  The Holy Spirit opened my mind to understand this scripture, and spoke to me very personally.   I'd like to share what He revealed to me.

So Jesus gives two examples, to make a point.  First He uses clothes.  When your clothes or old, what do you do?  First, consider the culture in which Jesus lived.  The common person only owned one item of clothing--maybe two..  Believe it or not, many people around the world live like this.  Anyway, when clothes became worn, one would patch the holes, until it couldn't be patched anymore or until they were able to get a new garment.  Why would a person damage a new garment, to patch an old garment?  If you have access to a new garment, you would replace the old garment with the new garment, not patch up the old.  If a person were to patch up the old garment with the new cloth, the patch would be ineffective.  The new cloth would pull away from old cloth, and end up becoming an unwearable garment.  And guess what?  The new garment is ruined too!  The result:  No wearable garments.  

We end up naked!!!!

 Jesus uses wine and wineskin to illustrate the same point.  When a person was out of wine, they would need to make more wine.  If a person was to put new wine in an old wineskin, the wine would burst through the wineskin, leaving the person with no wine.  So instead of having wine, and a wineskin, they end up with nothing.  

They end up thirsty! 

So why would anyone do such absurd things?

Jesus answers that in His last statement.  "And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, `The old is better.' "  

No one wants "the new", because...

• The old is familiar
• The old is safe
• We think the good of the old will stay good

When we hold on too long to the old, being UNWILLING to change, we end up losing everything.  The good of the old is gone, and we don't experience the good of "the new" either.  We find ourselves in need of change, but instead of changing we want to patch our lives. You know, just fix the things in our lives that don't work.  

When "the new" presents itsself, take hold of the new.  Stop trying to make the new, fit into the old.

I'll be honest here.  The Holy Spirit is convicting me of this BIG TIME!  I've been praying that the Lord would change some things in my life, and I've been praying for a patch job.  God wants to give me a new garment.  Something I've never seen.  Something I'm not familiar with.  Something-- better.  Don't get me wrong.  The old garment wasn't bad.  It was good for a season, but now it's outdated and no longer provides the best for our family.  It's time to let go, before I lose all that I'm trying hold on to.  

Just as the old garment was good, I can trust that the new garment is good too.

Just as the old wine was good, the new wine will be just as good--maybe even better.

Are you in need of a big change in your life?

What are you refusing to let go of? 

 What are you asking God to patch in your life?  Are you asking Him to fix the things you don't like, so you don't have to really change?

Can you trust our Loving, and completely wise Heavenly Father to give you that which best for you?

Will you give Him permission to change anything He wants to change?  Anything.

 

He wants to replace your old and worn garments with a fresh new garment.  He wants you fully clothed, not naked.  He wants to replace your old and empty wineskins with new wineskins full of wine.  He wants you satisfied, not thirsty.

Let's encourage each other on this journey.

Let me know what big change you've been praying for, and how God surprised you (or is surprising you) with the most amazing blessings as you walked out into the unknown of "the new".  

I'll be sharing my story of change soon.  I think this post is long enough.  ;-)

40 Days of Discovery- Day 3

Today was a day of discovering something old.  The Holy Spirit brought me back to the basics of my life's mission:  sharing the gospel.  Everything should come back to the gospel, right?  If the gospel really is good news, why would I not want to share it?  God has chosen the church, his followers, to be the means by which the mystery of the gospel is revealed.  What an awesome privilege!  God certainly doesn't have to use us.  He's God!  He could have a donkey to proclaim it.  He could write it on a wall.  He could have the birds to sing it.  But He chose people like me.  And I've neglected this great privilege.  Oh, Lord I repent.  Forgive me.

There are people around the world dying because they're sharing the gospel.  They're just that passionate.  They're just that committed.  And I don't want to offend.  Poor excuse.  I was reading an article a month or so ago about a woman and her husband in Iran who prayed EVERYDAY that God would show them who they are supposed to share the gospel with.  Everyday!  And this is in a country that is hostile to Christianity!  What's wrong with me?

So I asked the Spirit this question:  How can I share the gospel in a relevant way?  with creativity, boldly, wisely, lovingly  The gospel message isn't foreign here.  Many have heard it, and tune it out.  I'm asking for fresh creative ways to share the ancient message of truth.  I'm asking for passion, and power to do this great work.  Creativity means nothing if there is no power.  God's power changes people's lives, not my convincing words.

I echo the prayer of the early church when they were under persecution, "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."  and the response  "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."  (from Acts 4:29-31)

Here are a few other scriptures that the Spirit gave me as I asked the question:

 Colossians 4  And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. [4] Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. [5] Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. [6] Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Give me an awareness of the opportunities that you provide me--those doors that you open for the message.  Enable me to proclaim the message clearly and allow my actions confirm my beliefs and bring you honor.

 Matt10: [16] I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Holy Spirit, give me practical ideas, a great sense of discernment of people and situations, and intelligence beyond my physical capability so that I am able to speak with sincerity, boldness, and simplicity.  Do this for my children, my husband, and all of your people. Awaken your people to great boldness in proclaiming the gospel.

I do need to give myself some grace, for God has lavished His grace on me.   I tend to be hard on myself.  I have shared the gospel.  I'm just not nearly as committed as I should be. Thank you Holy Spirit for revealing the truth.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 1

Today I began a 40 day journey of discovery.  As I walk on this journey I'd to invite you to join in.  On each day of my journey I'd like to share something that may encourage, uplift, or perhaps even make you say, "ouch!" or "hmm".  So what is the destination of this journey?  Closer intimacy with The Lover of My Soul.

An excerpt from my journal entry today:

Fill my mouth with your rich and filling goodness.
Fill my hands with your everlasting presence
Fill my ears with melodies from Heaven
Fill my eyes with beautiful, glorious Heavenly treasures and make all earthly things pale in comparison

You must do these things, else earth's pull on me is too strong to overcome.  The trinkets it offers will shine too brightly in my eyes.  And I will cling too tightly to those I love, demanding that they give me happiness, and satisfaction.  I've tried it so many times, and it's left me frustrated and discouraged.  And its worn them out!

Read a quote today from Paul J. Tillich.  He wrote an article called: "To Whom Much was Forgiven"  Here's the quote:  "...forgiveness makes love possible.  We cannot love unless we have accepted forgiveness, and the deeper our experience of forgiveness is, the greater our love."  He was speaking in the context of the woman who poured out the alabaster jar on Jesus, anointing His body for burial.  I thought it was a thought provoking quote.  I'm still pondering its meaning.

May You Discover the True and Living God in unexpected places today.

Shalom.

Some Things Take Time

 

I originally wrote this the day before thanksgiving.

It's the day before thanksgiving and I have begun my cooking marathon.  By the time we sit down to our meal tomorrow, I will have baked potatoes, a turkey, rolls and cornbread dressing.  I will have slowly simmered a turkey back in order to release the flavors and nutrients, creating a full-bodied broth.  I will have chilled my pie crust dough, homemade cranberry sauce, and a homemade dressing. Chilling helps everything to gel, and gives the various flavors time to marry.  I will have soaked my turkey overnight in a brine (water filled with seasoning).  The result will be a flavorful moist turkey.  (It was quite yummy) 

As I sit here listening to my pots bubble on the stove, I was thinking of how it takes time to create a great meal.  A once a year meal!  I can't do this regularly.  But I was thinking that in order for us to have a great meal for our souls, it takes time.  Often, I want my time with God to be quick, microwaved, or stir-fried and quickly consumed so that I can get back to life.  So many needs are calling.  Then I wonder why I'm not fully satisfied.

If I want to get past the surface level of understanding of scripture, I must be willing to pay a price.  It takes time to go deep, to find treasures the lay hidden deep below the surface.  I must be willing to think deeply, to ponder, taking my time, letting the Spirit of God take His word into my inner most parts.  Letting it marinate.  I'm learning the blessing of allowing God's word go down deep , to my very bones.  I want His truth to be the air that I breathe.  I want His thoughts to be my thoughts.

This takes time.

It takes early mornings or late nights so that I won't be interrupted.  Sometimes it means sneaking away from the hustle and bustle of my household.  It means chores go undone, e-mails go unanswered and phone calls don't get made.    But, you see, I must sit at the feet of Jesus, allowing Him to fill me to the fullest measure with Himself.  And that, my friend, takes time.

May you deeply ponder His majesty and grace in your life.  And may your lips be filled with praises for His generous gifts to you.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the season, don't miss out on God's greatest gift to us--His presence.  

O come, O come Emmanuel into our hearts.  Change us forever. Fill us with the life that is truly life.  Loosen our hand's grip on earthly things so that we may grasp the hem of your garment, and be made whole.  Amen.

  Merry Christmas!

My Song

There's a song that begins to stir in my heart,
that begins to surface as I think on the goodness of God.
As I meditate on His goodness,
His grace,
His love,
His Holiness,
His purity...
A poetic prose begins to rise from my soul
It's been hidden there waiting to be found
It's composed by the Holy Spirit and uniquely song by me.
It is a song that's being song in the heavenlies
by the angels
and by saints throughout the ages
This song is a song our hearts have been waiting to sing
Like a woman with child who eagerly awaits the moment of giving birth
She eagerly anticipates the joy of holding her sweet baby in her arms
But there is discomfort,
there is pain to endure
MUCH PAIN
But in the end, it's worth it
for in her arms is a baby
Oh the joy to hold that precious baby!
This song is our baby
Our heart anticipates giving birth to this melody
As we experience life this song grows within us
developing, gaining understanding, maturing
And often there is much pain that must be endured in order to give birth to this song
But Oh the joy that is felt
Oh the relief that the song has finally been freed.
for this song was meant to be song
An unsung song is a travesty.
We must sing our song.
I must sing my song.

Heavenly Father, enable us by your Spirit to sing beautifully, powerfully, truthfully, pouring ourselves out, holding nothing back, singing in this life until all that we know by faith becomes clearly known.

Intimate Connection

We all long for intimacy.
              We all want to be seen and heard, and fully accepted as we are.
    We all want to be loved.
                                                                         

God placed this desire in each of us.  

And He wants to fill that desire.  

But we must come to Him to be filled.

So He tells us to pray.

Pray for healing.
Pray for hope.
Pray for your physical needs.
Pray for others.
Pray for help.

Pray.

As we pray, something mysterious happens.

God
      moves
             on
                 our
                      behalf.

Circumstances change.
                  Hearts are transformed.
           Needs are met.
Eyes are opened.

We are intimately connected with the God of the Universe.

He satisfies the deepest desires of our hearts.

    He fills us with hope.

We are filled with love.

Our emptiness is filled.

Ask, and you will receive

Seek and you will find

Knock and the door will be opened

Pray ALL the time

Prayers of the righteous are powerful

Prayers of the righteous produce results

Pray in the Spirit

With ALL kinds of prayers

Short prayers.

Long prayers.

Middle of the night, sweating and toiling kinda prayers

Brief "Help me Jesus" kinda prayers

Pray alone.

Pray with others.

Pray standing.

Pray with your face on the ground.

Pray while working.

Stop every thing else to focus and pray. 

Pray with many words.

Pray with few.

God should be our constant companion

Dialoguing with Him continually should be as natural as breathing

                 Confess your sins

Be open and honest

about your sins

your doubts

your fears

your desires

your frustrations

                                                                                  He can handle it.

                                   

You'll be healed and restored.

Thank Him.

         For every blessing

              every good thing in your life

                             no matter how small

Your heart will be filled with joy

Praise Him.

Talk about all the good you see in Him.

Take time to meditate 

on His goodness

His power

His righteousness

His wisdom

His redemption

His glory

His...

"God-ness"

Now, be quiet.

Listen.

to Him.

He Speaks.

Prayer is your intimate connection