Today I shared

Today I shared in the Ladies Bible Study.  I was a little nervous but apparently I pulled it off alright, according what others said so that is good.  I actually enjoyed sharing quite a bit.  I realized afterwards that talking about something that you have a passion for is not really hard to express to others.  So below is my outline that I used to share I thought I'd share it with you here too.

When I think about my prayer life, I try to think about all the things that I’ve done to make it what it is.  But I can’t take credit for it.  Yes, I make the time in the morning to sit down on my couch with a cup of coffee and my bible and my journal.  Yes, I write in my prayer journal and look to scripture for wisdom and comfort but I don’t think its me doing all that on my own.  Its God.  I think all the tools that we learn to help us with our prayer life are great and very helpful.  (I have come to really enjoy my prayer cards)  But I think the turning point in my prayer life was when I totally surrender to God and his ways.  When I became so desperate, in that helplessness part of my life…..the moment I wanted to give up on what he had placed in my life to call it my life….my family…my marriage…etc.

It was that moment when I gave it to him….when I surrendered when prayer life came to “life”…when I could hear his voice and feel his guidance and know when he burdened my heart to pray for the needs that he placed there.

I don’t know where I would be if I was on my own….it wouldn’t be good.  But its because of surrender that has lead me into my dependence on the Lord and to have the prayer life I have.

I do use a journal.  I use index cards….I talk to Him many times during the day…..All this to say is that I think because of my helplessness….desperation and surrender to the Lord that is why I can’t go a day without praying….having a conversation with the Lord in order to take a step daily into this world with all that I find myself in.  I can’t do life without him or praying.

Praying brings peace and hope and most of all a closeness to God.

Surrendering is the key to having a prayer life.  The moment you totally give up and look upwards is the moment that you will have a prayer life that is not “planned out” that just happens with your Lord and Savior.

My prayer life and the constant looking for the joys and blessings in my life are the only things I find that helps me each day in every moment in this world….in all my trials and storms of life.

Surrender leads to thankfulness….you will always have something to be thankful for in your prayers.

(Share a couple of examples of pray being answered)

 

Now when it came to share some examples I wasn't sure what to say so I talked with my a very good friend/mentor of mine and she really helped.  Basically prayers are usually not answered in this big huge eye opening thing that you can't but help notice.  Instead its in the little things that God answers our prayers and he meets us right where we are in our life.  It's wonderfully amazing and comforting that He does this.  And she also helped me see how He has answered my prayers with my step-son and in my marriage.  God has given me so much grace to handle all the little and big moments in my life, the peace that I feel in the midst of it all is a God given gift.  Thank you so much Lord.  I can't do it on my own and you are there.