How many times have we prayed the same prayer over and over - every.single.day - and nothing happens? We just keep asking. I know - I have done it. I get caught up in the 'asking', that sometimes I forget to thank in advance of what He can do. Are you following along with me?
Perhaps you want to lose weight. You've done your duty; you have cut back on carbs, on sugar, and all the other good things you like to eat.... and nothing has happened for weeks. You took to walking to help. Still, very little changed. You have been seeking for God's help in your weight loss. You keep asking Him to drop the weight off.... and nothing has happened. Same o prayer, same o answer - none. So what should we do to perhaps change that?
How about instead of ASKING (once again) for God to drop the weight off, how about THANKING Him for the weight falling off? Do you not realize that He is the One who created you in His image? That He is the One who breathed into you to give you life? Do you not think that He can do anything else? I know, you have asked for years - and nothing. So - change it! Thank Him that the weight is going to fall off - as you continue to exercise and eat right. (and having an ice cream once in awhile is NOT bad!)
Quit praying and asking - start surrendering and thanking!
Instead of complaining that God isn't answering our prayers, let's thank Him for the answer! It is all in His timeframe, after all! We don't see the big picture; we don't know what plan there is for the future. But this we do know -
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV): "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Surrender what you want to ask for! Want peace in your family? Thank God that He loves you and loves your family unit, and that you know He wants only the best for you. Thank Him that He provides for your family - whether great or small - and that He meets your needs. Need a job? Thank Him for providing that job. Need groceries? Thank Him that He will cause groceries to be provided or a way to get them.
Our God loves us so much that He will do just about anything for you - in alignment with His Word. His Word is never wrong. We need to perhaps open our eyes to see what God does FOR us - even though we may not have asked for it - and never feel we got the answer. We have to trust God that all things are done in His timing, not ours.
Let's do prayer differently. Let's pray and THANK God for all He does for us. The things we are aware of; the things we are not. Thank Him for taking care of our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren - and meeting their needs that we know not of. Let's praise Him instead of holding our hand out.
I have a granddaughter who has been in a difficult situation for a little while; I don't even know how long it has been going on... but she asked for prayer not long ago... not that I was the only one praying, for I'm sure her mama was as well! But it was with rejoicing that I heard God had answered our prayers for relief and she could see the 'light at the end of the tunnel'. Praise God! In all things, give Him thanks! Even things we aren't aware of that perhaps only needed one prayer added.
Kind of like my message for Sunday - more on that another day. Yep - our RV park preaching is starting up this week. Stay tuned! Neat thing happened at prayer meeting last night, though. We were talking to our pastor and mentioned that we would not be at church on Sunday - and we explained I would be speaking/preaching at an RV park. We had told him about it when we had met for lunch a year ago. Pastor Patrick grabbed my hand and started praying over me - and his words were awesome - and I loved that he said something about 'testimonies that will come from the message given'. I always pray that God will take what is spoken and use it for His glory alone. Based on what I shared above, I guess I just need to 'thank Him' for the Word He has me speak and that it falls on listening ears that hear.
Oops - time is up and I need to get my work computer on! Thank You, Lord, for giving each person reading this mixed up blog and for blessing their day, meeting their needs, and providing all that they desire. Thank you Lord, for loving them, for caring for them, for all You do for them. You are Holy, You are Sovereign, You are mighty. Hallelujah to You, O God!
Blessings!
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