Tuesday, January 25, 2011

It's NOT multiple choice







Yesterday I shared how worry & prayer don't mix.
Here's another thing Jesus has been speaking to me... 
and changing in me.







"Praying specifically" isn't about giving God several
specific ways to answer a prayer.
It's presenting specific needs to God. Period.
And letting Him do the answering.




Phil. 4:6
"Don’t worry about anything; 
instead, pray about everything. 
Tell God what you need
and thank him for all he has done.


If we get it into our heads that we must come up
with ways for Him to answer...


- it'll keep us from praying cuz when
we "don't know what to ask for"... 
- keeps us frustrated
- keeps us from experiencing miracles
- causes worry


Don't worry... INSTEAD... pray.
Tell God what you NEED.... and thank Him.


My prayers have turned from "not knowing what to
ask for" into something like this...


"Lord Jesus, we have _____ need and only you
can help us."
and
"Jesus, this ____ is so difficult! Please Help!"




Does this lesson from Philippians ring a bell with you?





6 comments:

Deana Amico said...

Wow! thank you! I have been praying for a miracle in a person's life but mixing it with worry and doubts about how God is going to answer! Id love to comment more, but Im running late for work. Just know that this REALLY spoke to me and I amm going to act on what God has shown me thru this! Blessings!
Together in service for the King!
Dee

Pants said...

So good Netta... giving God choices never works out, it just limits God & stresses us out. Not that I never worry or still sometimes try to give God multiple choice... but I am learning to just bring my requests to God and leave them there.... even if I have to bring them 20 times a day ;)Thanks for the encouragement.

erinnovian said...

MMMMM GOOOOOD! God's stretching me in this area HUGELY!!! I've been actually trying to stay kinda in the dark as to my dad's job search, particularly because if I know every time he has an interview, I begin to ask for "THIS JOB" instead of God's will. YUCKY!!! Thankful for the assurance that He provides for ALL our need accourding to His riches and glory!

Laurie said...

Thank you so much for sharing this with us and for what you shared in your former post!
This is something that has been resonating in my soul for months now!!
I was going into a depression period near the end of summer due to worry! On the day I felt my lowest I fell on my face and cried out to God! First I heard the words "Be Still and KNOW I am God". So as I laid there on my face, He met me that day with this exact passage, and with Jeremiah 29:11, Prov. 3:5-6 and Rom. 8:28. It flowed so freely in my mind. I was overwhelmed with the love and peace I felt!!!
Everytime I would begin to worry about our situation, those same passages would come to mind! I just kept repeating them in my prayers and thanking God for working ALL things out for my good!!
My husband applied for a job in NH and has been accepted. God has opened up the doors for this position. We are walking in faith, because we don't have a home yet there nor can we sell our home here in HP. But knowing that God is in control brings peace of mind. Also I was talking with my 11 yr old daughter about praying specifically what she wanted our new house to have. Within minutes of her prayer a house popped up on Criagslist with the very specifics she prayed for! Not sure if this is the house for us but it is still available and we will be in that area next week. Please pray with us as we venture out in faith, God has been directing us every step of the way and we totally put our trust in him!!! Thank you Lord for preparing our way!
Thank you Netta for confirming what God has spoken!

Noelle said...

Totally speaking to me right now. Thanks Netta!

Ruth Chowdhury said...

Most definitely rings a bell! This really helps - I was struggling with how to word things when praying. We make prayer harder than it really is! Thanks, Netta!