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Pegg
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Username: Pegg

Post Number: 49
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Friday, September 08, 2006 - 4:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yesterday the blessing that God chose to give my soul was a prayer. I have such a long prayer list. It includes my family, who are so dear to me, my co-workers, all of my acquaintances and you-guys over here on FAF and CARM. There are temporal things that I am praying for some on the list on different days, but for all my prayer is that each of you will have the love and peace of God.

How can one adequately express the deep desire for another person to experience God? It has just seemed to me that words are not enough.

Yesterday morning I found Paul's prayer for the Ephesian Church. My Bible has a note that says that Ephesians was probably written as a round-robin letter for many churches (when one church had read it, they were to pass it on to the next and the next). This means that down through the ages, his message is also meant especially for us.

Here then, is Paul's prayer for all Christians of all time, as I have praphrased it to pray for you.

( Ephesians 1: 16-19 - paraphrase) "Oh My God please look at my prayer list. There you will see my family, my friends, people who are dear to me, all those I speak with on FAF and CARM and the lurkers there and in my life whom I do not know."

"God, I thank you for each of them."

"Today I ask you to please remind me to pray for them constantly, that they may have spiritual wisdom and understanding, and grow in their knowledge you. I pray that their hearts will be flooded with light so that they will understand the wonderful future you have promised to each of them. I want each of them to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance you have given to your people. I pray that they may begin to understand the incredible greatness of your power for us who believe you."

These words express the wish that I have struggled to express in my prayers for those I love. I am blessed to pray this prayer.

This Is Such A Lovely Search!

Pegg
Flyinglady
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Username: Flyinglady

Post Number: 2792
Registered: 3-2004


Posted on Friday, September 08, 2006 - 5:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Peg,
Thanks for posting this here and on CARM. It is a lovely prayer.
Diana
Lisa_boyldavis
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Username: Lisa_boyldavis

Post Number: 214
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Friday, September 08, 2006 - 6:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I found some incredibly beautiful prayers in Psalms yesterday. I guess you could say Iíve had an "in the pit" experience off and on this summer. I've had health issues that come and go .. autoimmune disorder... when it kicks in, thereís a mile long list of symptoms and I want to crawl out of my skin... just recently my doctor has been able to give me nutritional supplements that have forced the diseasesí hand and WOW HOW WONDERFUL TO FEEL GOOD AGAIN. The Psalms might be a bit boring for those with smooth sailing, but the times when the wake is coming over the bow, it is then that Davidís hollering above the storm means so much. Thank you for sharing that beautiful prayer in Ephesians. Hang in there to all who are still in the storm.

Lisa
Randyg
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Username: Randyg

Post Number: 247
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, September 08, 2006 - 8:07 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Lisa,

It is good to hear from you again. The Psalms have also helped me over some rough patches as well.

Randy
Lisa_boyldavis
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Username: Lisa_boyldavis

Post Number: 219
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Friday, September 08, 2006 - 9:02 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks Randy,

I read here more than post... every once in a while I feel the need to write and worship on here. I guess that's tonight.

Lisa
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 4576
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Friday, September 08, 2006 - 10:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks, Pegg, for the wonderful prayer. Lisa, the Psalms have been a huge part of my life, too. I'm so glad you're feeling better!

Colleen
Honestwitness
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Username: Honestwitness

Post Number: 129
Registered: 7-2005


Posted on Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 7:40 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Pegg, thanks so much for sharing this prayer.

You said, "How can one adequately express the deep desire for another person to experience God? It has just seemed to me that words are not enough."

I agree with this feeling. God's hands hold within my heart the names and faces of so many people I love who need to know Him.

This morning when I woke up, I thought to myself, "What am I going to do today?" Then it dawned on me to ask God what He wants me to do today. So I asked Him.

The answer came back immediately to my spirit. He told me to PRAY! What a blessing to be in fellowship with Him all day. My husband is gone to church for worship services, then pot luck lunch, then a meeting. So I am looking forward to many hours alone in my house today, praying!

Your prayer has started off the day just right.

Thank you!

Honestwitness
Pegg
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Username: Pegg

Post Number: 50
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 9:04 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hello Honestwitness!

I am sorry you are alone. My husband worked last night. He is sleeping - but at least we are here together.

I am listening to a wonderful sermon. Here: http://www.graceplace.org/default.aspx?pid=51 It is the top one. The Way The Truth And The Life. Maybe you can listen with me.

Pegg
Susan_2
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Username: Susan_2

Post Number: 2351
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 2:59 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thank-you for the prayer. I have a real problem in needing a 'heart transplant' when it comes to prayer. I was reading in Matthew yesterday and Jesus was saying that even the heathen pray for those they love but He says to pray for those who do harm to us. I tell you the truth, that is so difficult for me to do and be sincere about it. I've been praying asking God to let my heart be more open to that sort of prayer. For instance, I can truly ask God to keep my little grandchildren safe and secure and in His arms. At the same time I would like to ask God to send His wrath onto my grandchildrens parents for making me and my other son be homeless and especially for refusing to let me have a relationship with my grandchildren who I love so much. How to I get over this prayer hurdle? I've noticed some of you on here have such honorable and noble hearts so please let me know how to pray for God's blessings on those who have been very unkind (downright mean) to me. Again, Pegg, thanks so much for the prayers.
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 4580
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 9:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Dear Susan,

It is a perfectly wonderful prayer to tell God how much you resent and feel hurt by those who have been hard on you. Ask Him to ground you in truth and to plant you in reality, to help you to know how to pray and to transform your feelings to reflect His truth and reality. It's impossible for you to know how to pray or to fix your heart yourselfóbut you can invite Jesus into that place of deep hurt and ask Him to help you see and He sees, love as He loves, and know as He knows.

Ask Him to make you willing to be willing to know His will for you, and ask Him to be in charge of your feelings and to give you His mind and heart.

Be willing to surrender your hurt and pain and to be able to know His will for you, even if it turns out to be really different from what you think it should be.

He is faithful, Susan. Praying for you.

Colleen
Pegg
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Username: Pegg

Post Number: 51
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 3:28 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hello Susan,

Colleen has given you wonderful advice.

God wants us to tell Him about everything. This includes our darkest feelings. I am often angry. I grumble and sputter at Him. Often I tell Him that I think He's being too slow. I'm tired of waiting on Him! I believe that God likes us to be honest with Him. These moments of stark honesty are some of the dearest times that I have with Him.

I have found that, many times, when I have bared my soul in anger and frustration at God, it is only then that I can come to a point of giving it over to Him.

Let me tell you a story.

For many years I have been angry with someone who is very dear to me because of how that person was behaving. I prayed often that God would lead this dear one to act differently. One day I was walking on the beach, and once again I was complaining and berating God about this problem. Finially my soul got empty, and I said, "Okay, I can't stand this anymore! If you won't change the other person, then change me. Take this anger away, because it's tearing me up, it's destroying our relationship and I am powerless to do anything with it."

Susan, it started like an ebbing - and it continued. I found myself crying, there on the beach.

God didn't take away the hurt. The other person did not change even one little bit. The situation has remained painful even until now. But He changed me. He changed me so that I would not destroy the relationship with this person that I love.

One more thing, I have continued to pray that He will change this person's behavior. Do you know, only last week, right out of the blue, this dear person made a comment that made me realize that God is steady working on their heart - and that He is making progress!

Oh my soul is singing! How faithful is Our God!

I am praying for you, Susan. Never be afraid to tell Him anything that you are thinking. He can handle whatever you have to say.

Sometimes it Is A Very Long Search!

Pegg
Flyinglady
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Username: Flyinglady

Post Number: 2797
Registered: 3-2004


Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 7:19 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Susan,
What Colleen and Pegg have said is so true. I have learned that when I have something against someone I can pray to God and ask Him to give that person everything I want for my self. What I want for myself is peace with Him, joy, a good relationship with my family and friends and that God work on me and all I pray for. When I start praying like that I do not mean it and I tell God I do not. I also say that I know if I continue to pray like that God will change my heart. When I pray like that every day for 2 weeks, God does change my heart. I have had to pray that way for sister and I have told you about her. I can genuinely say I love her and God has taken all bitterness and hurt from me and I really mean it when I ask God to give her everything I want for myself. Like Pegg says, God can handle anything you hand to him, even all the bad things you say about the person that hurts you. I have always been honest with God, even telling him that @#$%^@* so and so is all @#$%^&@$ up. I think you get the picture. God has changed me in so many ways when I pray honestly with Him.
I keep praying for you. But remember we have an awesome God and He will not let you down.
Diana
Lisa_boyldavis
Registered user
Username: Lisa_boyldavis

Post Number: 221
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 6:40 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Susan,

Your struggles and God's solutions are the meat and potatoes of why God involves Himself in our lives. Those are the kinds of things He cares MOST about. I am seeing that He cares MORE about our real life struggles and LESS about programs, church building projects and disagreements over worship styles, etc... He must be SICK TO DEATH of polite prayers, and LONG FOR prayers such as your prayer, begging and pleading Him to use His power for something as overwhelming as your homelessness, bitterness, separation from grandbabies you adore, etc... I bow my head now and pray for a newness and healing in your life.

Lisa

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