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Thursday, October 6, 2011

Fearful Prayers

Are you fearful when you pray?

All the lonely people, where do they all come from?
Courtesy of Flickr: Stephen Brace
Sometimes when I pray I stumble over my words. Happens, right? The reason I struggle is because I fear the "price" I will pay for praying certain prayers. Have you heard people say, "Be careful what you pray for"? They like to remind you that when you pray for patience you will be tested. Unknowingly "they" scarred my prayer life. It recently became apparent to me that I was completely stunted in my prayer life. My prayers were halted by fear. Would the cost be to high to pray that my life would glorify Him- meaning all my fears of loss would become a reality? Were my prayers lining up with the Bible? 

Y'all, this messed with me. It may sound ridiculous, but during that time praying was a struggle. I would start, "Lord I love you. Please            Oh I don't know, Lord. You know my heart." Sure, I had very real requests, but I couldn't find the words to express them.

Have you been there, or have I a jumped into the land of ridiculous?

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26).

I'm going to go out on a limb here and give me opinion. Please take it as my opinion. I think God longs to talk to His children. He desires to hear your heartfelt prayers. No, your words will not always be lined up with the Word because, sometimes, we pray selfish prayers. There will be prayers that are flavored with surrender that may leave you walking through a low valley. Take comfort, valleys lead to knew levels of freedom.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

Keep your eyes on Him, not on your words or your fears, and you talk away. I had to come to a point where I was going to just talk to God because I needed Him. I learned that my God in Heaven wanted to hear my heart, for the good or bad, and that I could trust Him with my needs, wants, and fears.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah (Psalm 62:8).

He wants all of you and all of me. Trust Him. I still struggle. But When it seems the most difficult, I remember Psalm 62:8.
 
Happy Praying!
 

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In His Name,
Jennifer

14 comments:

Caroline said...

Oh, yes. I can understand this, Jennifer.

My husband and I have discussed lately about keeping our prayers unselfish... which can be so difficult when you're praying for health or for your children.

This is such truth: "I had to come to a point where I was going to just talk to God because I needed Him. I learned that my God in Heaven wanted to hear my heart, for the good or bad, and that I could trust Him with my needs, wants, and fears."

Thank you for this reminder!

Jennifer said...

Caroline, I don't have kids, but I sure it's difficult juggling prayers for your children's safety and prayers for God's will for your children. I love that you and your husband are mindful of the prayers you pray!

It's encouraging to "see" you clinging to the truth that He is trustworthy!

Lisa notes... said...

I think you're right on target, Jennifer. He doesn't want our "spiritually-correct" prayers; he wants our guts poured out to him. And sometimes our guts are ugly! ha.

We can't fool him anyway; it's better for us to be honest from the get-go and pray for him to get us in line where we need it.

Great post. I've heard those same things about "be careful what you pray for" and it does make me a little leery to pray for patience, etc. ha. But the Lord knows how to give us what we need in just the right ways, painful or otherwise. It's all about faith--which I want more of!

Jennifer said...

Amen. Amen. Amen, Lisa! Love your heart!

Katie said...

I so agree... God wants the heartfelt prayers from us. Thank you for being so vulnerable about your struggle. I have heard that same phrase, be careful what you pray for... it does make you fearful.

Jennifer said...

Katie, being vunerable is not my favorite thing in the world, but your encouragement makes it a lot easier! Thank you! :)

Emily said...

SISTER!

YES and AMEN!

Prayer is such a privilege, why hinder it with fear of God changing you through it (asking for patience, boldness, etc.)--isn't that part of the purpose of it anyway? The more we pray the more we recognize our need for Jesus and the dependency we must have on our Lord.

He wants all of us, so He can transform us completely.

Jennifer said...

Emily!! Amen, girlfriend! ;) Prayer is our form communication with our life-giving Savior. We need to that!

Merissa said...

So true. I am finding more and more that my relationship with God is so much better, when I am able to be who I am in His presence... wear my heart on my sleeve so to speak.
thanks for this post, Jennifer :)

HisFireFly said...

Yes! Our prayer time is much more about communion and conversation with Him than about the specific words we say.

He calls us to quiet our souls and sit a spell...

well said!

Stephanie said...

Good thoughts on prayer, Jen. Just thinking about how our Father loves us and loves to hear what is on our hearts is such good motivation to come to Him...you've encouraged me today.

Jennifer said...

Merissa, you're right! It's about "wearing your heart on your sleeve"! Thanks!

Hisfirefly, He hears what we say and don't say! Thanks for pointing that out!

Steph, Amen--it's great motivation to get into His presence!!

Bonnie Gray said...

Jennifer - I LOVE how you started this post off with a great question -- then you gave us your opinion! Yes, keepgiving us your OPINION. ;) Want more, please. :)

Jennifer said...

haha Thanks a bunch, Bonnie!