Asking to Receive

I talked previously about submitting our thoughts to God. And I hope that just reading it, has caused your subconscious to take hold of it and has aided you in refocusing your thoughts when you’ve realised they are not lining up with God’s intentions for your thought life. Submitting our thoughts to God, helps us to focus and be alert for what He would have us pray. Today I would like to talk about the times when it is necessary to be intentional in our prayers.

I wonder if there are a lot of you like me that have been caught out thinking we have communicated something to someone, when in reality we had only thought about telling them? We may have verbalised it to someone or many people, only to find out we never actually verbalised it to the person we intended to.

So often it’s the same when we intend to give our requests to God, especially in times of trial. A sure sign that we have not given our requests to God is that they are still a cause for concern. We are still talking with everyone we see about it. There is still an element of anxiety that is present and is usually also present in our speech. We are not at peace. In fact the peace which surpasses all understanding, we have allowed to simply pass us by.

“Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving make your requests known to God and the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

We need to be intentional when it comes to our requests. We have not because we ask not. So when you make your requests, pray according to his word. If there is a promise in God’s word concerning your request (and there should be or maybe you shouldn’t be praying it), stand upon it. "Hold fast the confession of your hope without wavering for he who promised is faithful." Hebrew 10:23. Don’t just hope you’ll make it through, but make the decision to put your hope in Christ.

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Hebrews 12:2a

I love this!! He not only initiates our faith He perfects it! He is our Champion!!! Be intentional in your prayers and let him be your champion today. Keep asking, seeking and knocking...you will receive what you have prayed for, you will find and the door will be opened to you. Luke 11:9

All Day Breakfast...

So I ate breakfast cereal twice today, as I do. The first bowl at breakfast time and the second at lunch time. It's just what I felt like. Sometimes I will even eat breakfast for dinner, especially when I don’t really feel like what’s on the menu.....Yes I do the cooking, so that doesn’t say much for my skills in the kitchen I know.....or as is sometimes the case, there is no menu. Thankfully my kids like cereal too.

If breakfast is the most important meal of the day then why not have it three times a day? It’s healthy, it’s light, it’s quick, and it’s easy. It even fits the budget. I know, you’re asking where are the vegies. However my point is:

I have been talking about prayer being the most important part of your day and a wonderful way to start your day, seeking first the kingdom of God; just as making sure your grocery list is written before you hit the shops always ensures a little less aimless wandering, so prayer shines light on that path ahead for the day. So as I was eating that lunch time bowl of cereal I was also thinking about the fact that prayer isn’t a once a day experience. It is continued communication with our heavenly Father as God’s word says:

“Never Stop Praying” 1Thessolonians 5:17

And it’s not just a constant line of requests, or being constantly on your knees, but a constant submitting of ourselves and our thoughts to God. We can’t always be on our knees, but our thoughts never stop.

Imagine submitting our thoughts to God!! We’d have to clean up our thought life a little....or a lot. But then his word does say:

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right and pure, and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8

So let’s continue in prayer to our Glorious creator. He is waiting to hear from us and loves it when we are able to clear our minds/thoughts enough to hear from Him too. Being in prayer constantly is key to our walk and relationship with Christ.

First Things First

Let’s start at the beginning.

As a women’s ministry we are focusing on seeking God first in our lives, knowing that he will be leading us and guiding us as we allow him to. Knowing that with his help, we can make so much more of our day. Seems simple and it is.

What if however you’re thinking, it seems easier said than done? What if you feel that there is a barrier stopping you from reaching God in prayer? What if it really feels to you like there is too big a chasm, between you and God?

Hebrews 4:16 says “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

It says come boldly because the grace is that Christ having died for you bridged the chasm that was between you and God. The grace is that when Christ died for you his blood cleansed you from any sin that might stand in the way of a relationship with your heavenly father. It is by this grace that you have been saved. (Ephesians2:5)

So come boldly into his presence and obtain that mercy and Grace that you need, that we all need every single day, and begin with us on the journey of seeking God first.