praying life

My alone time reading

I have read this book at least 3 times. it has really ministered

to my heart.  It invites freedom in Christ.  It invites an

intimate relationship with a Father who lights up when

he sees us.  It is not about duty or guilt or coming to

him pretending.  We come with ourselves, like with

friends around the dinner table  Then we find true communion

 and our voice begins to be His.

 

I finally felt released to have a woman's study

once again in our home.  So this summer, I take

the plunge and walk in faith to be "useful" as

a recent sermon challenged me.  Not to be comfortable

or only "want to do what we want when we want it",

but to step out in faith and see what happens. 

My now inviting others in reading.

 

An excerpt:

"It took me seventeen years to realize I couldn't parent in my own.  If I didn't

pray deliberately and reflectively for members of my family by name every

morning, they'd kill one another.  I was incapable of getting inside their

hearts.  I couldn't change my self-confident heart.  That's why I needed

grace even to pray.  It didn't take me long to realize I did my best

parenting by prayer.  I began to speak led to the kids and more to God. 

It was actually quite relaxing.  If we think we can do life on our

own, we will not take prayer seriously. "

 

"Time in prayer makes you even more dependent on God because you don't

have as much time to get things done."

 

You don't create intimacy; you make room for it."

 

-Paul Miller-

 

There are no shortcuts.  Just as there aren't any for our relationships

with out kiddos or our mates or friends.  It isn't about getting

the right system to pray, it is about God and relationship.