If You Don't Know What to Ask or Say

Many people, including myself, can have a hard time knowing how to pray and what to say in prayer. We're like a shy, awkward student asking the teacher a question after school, shuffling our feet and mumbling our words. We lack confidence. We don't know how to put our sentences together.

I'm gonna be honest here, for as much as I love to pray, I still feel this way at times. And then the not knowing what to say keeps me from saying anything at all! I become a prayerless Christian, not because I desire that, but because I don't know how to interact with My heavenly Father. And that's when I realize that it's not my words that are the problem, it's my perception of the Father. I don't see Him the way He really is -- kind, loving, honest, holy. I create my own definition of Him based on the world's standards. 

But God is reminding me this morning that His character is not of this world. And His ways and love are not like this world. He is sooo different from the world because He is of another world! Another kingdom! So this is where we must begin then. We must begin to understand this so that we can perceive Him correctly. And when we perceive Him correctly, we can then interact with Him more comfortably and with greater confidence, based on a proper view of Him and our right standing before Him through His Son, Jesus. (We are forgiven and accepted.)

Today's question is this: What are your thoughts about prayer? Do pray? Do you want to pray but don't know what to say?  Then start with His Word, the Bible. Read His promises and learn about Him and the life of Jesus and all His teachings. Get to understand the Father that created you and does not treat you as the world treats you. God is not religious. God is not cruel. God is holy and just. And His promises are Yes and AMEN in Jesus, who died for us. If you don't know what to pray, pray the Bible -- meaning read His promises and then turn them into prayer and declarations over your life and your family and friends' lives. (Example: Psalm 23 says the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want... so you can turn that verse into a prayer: "Father, thank you that you take care of me like a shepherd takes care of his sheep. I have everything I need. I ask You to help me pay my bills and trust you for everything today. In Jesus Name.)

Spend time getting to know God through His Holy Spirit who is actively showing you God's love everyday (we just don't pick up on it most of the time! haha!) Invite the Holy Spirit into your day and into your prayer time and watch how your life with God blossoms!! His Spirit IS the one we interact with!!!

Today's raw entry is below. God reminded Me of all these things today but honestly I felt like I'm hearing it for the first time. haha. 

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All My promises are YES and AMEN.

So, if you don't know what to ask or say,

go to My Word and find the places that 

speak of My promises and My ways.

I work from MY promises and MY ways.

I don't work off of the world's system 

and the way they conduct business everyday.

Yes, if you want to know what to ask or say,

go to My promises and pray them today.

And what have I promised you, darling of Mine?

OH the sun and the moon that shines!

Yes I'll give you the moon, if you ask it, My dear.

So never fear! Come closer and abide here.

I'll tell you a story about a father and his child.

He would always take her to his shop

and she would watch him work and watch his style.

She began to understand his way of doing things,

and so she began to understand how to ask him for things.

She would watch him respond 

with kindness to his customers,

so she understood that the same 

would be expected of her.

And she saw how he handled the finances

and never cheated his neighbor. 

He was often generous and didn't charge interest,

he always showed favor.

He worked with integrity,

doing well when no one was watching. 

He did things excellently and was not lazy,

what an impression this made on the child.

She understood that her father was a good man,

not just a polished spokesman.

His heart was right. His actions spoke it.

And she learned that she could trust him,

because he was honest and he showed it.

So, do you see, darling? I am different than the world.

I don't treat you the way others would.

I am that father and My ways are the same.

And so, come to Me and learn from Me,

learn My ways. And then you will understand 

how to ask Me and receive. You won't be scared 

because you will rightly perceive Me. 

So, come, darling, come.

Come 'to the shop' with Me and get to know Me.

I love you for eternity.

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