p r a y e r
so is it this thing where someone asks for prayers for something and you go "aww, totally praying for you!!" ... and then maybe...you don't really? bc I mean, we all know that saying and doing are two completely different things and does saying you'll pray really count as prayer??...
prayer is real. so utterly real. prayers are talking to God. before Jesus came, people couldn't talk to Him the way we can now. When He died on that cross for us, that veil of separating split -- so...why do we treat it as if its nothing special?
then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you - jeremiah 29:12
praying isn't rocket science. it can be, if you make it that way, but, honestly, it isn't. it's just talking with God. we talk with people all the time, why should it be so different?? when you pray, you don't always have to be jabbering on trying to fill "silence" or not be "boring" to God bc sometimes...silence is better.
and when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words - matthew 6:7
don't forget to listen. i'll admit, prayers have always been hard for me. I've often been frustrated with myself -- like, how do you even begin to talk to the One who created you? like, He already knows everything so what are you even supposed to say? just talk with Him like you would your best friend. my prayers have been turning into "talks" more and just plain sporadicness. I tell Him about my day, the good and bad, even though He already knows all about it. but...I can /feel/ the realness more -- I find myself sporadically talking with Him throughout the day and just...thanking Him for random things. maybe prayers and talking are the same thing, or maybe they aren't - idk, but it feels more real for me when I just talk
He's here guys, with us at all times -- Just talk with Him. I mean, He's a great listener for a stressed human like me and will even take it all away if you ask Him to (even countless times after I keep taking it back again :P) take a few minutes and just refocus. Talk with Jesus. Tell Him what's up in your life. He's there listening, trust me.
basically, I wrote this post because it's something I've really been feeling lately. time is SHORT people. SO very short -- and I feel like I've just been so busy lately, and I'm just trying to make sure I don't let busyness overtake Jesus and everything else that's really important in my life bc honestly, it's not worth the trade
Okay, Somebody has perfect timing, because I've been struggling with this a lot lately. Life has been so crazy BUSY for the last year, and it doesn't look like it will let up anytime soon--and it seems like the first thing to go is often my time with God. Thank you so much for this reminder on prayer! And it wasn't a to-do list kind of reminder, but a freeing one. A sigh of relief. Remembering that He's as close as the next word and the next breath. <3
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I so get ya on the taking stress back part. Here's to letting it go again!
aww that's good to hear (legit tho, it must have been bc for some reason I wrote this post over a time span of daaayyysss -- which is totally abnormal for me so yep, totally God there XD) SO AGREED. like it only looks like it'll keep getting busier. totally, girl!! honestly, there is no to-do list or specific way to pray...it's just doing it however you feel being led/how it works for you. it's just a thing between you and God, and there is no right or wrong way to do it. definitely something I've been thinking on a /looott/. :P XD and yes, I really had that hit me and it was kinda why I wrote this post...when I was praying it suddenly struck me that God was sitting right next to me. it was kind of one of those thoughts that just makes you sit there kinda dumbfounded and that made me really feel differently about prayers...anyways, thats where the post came from XD
DeleteYes!! totally <33
Sarah girl, this is probably one of my favorite posts you've done. <33 I am so blessed to have made praying a habit- actually PRAYING when someone asks me to, it's really amazing. And silence def SPEAKS, so very much!! Sometimes just purposefully being quiet and coming before the Lord yields more results then coming up with every word to make a prayer more "fit" and "perfect"... does that make any sense??! Prayer is so powerful and God is so good <333
ReplyDeleteaww, thanks - but obv, I can't take the credit. totally God there. I agree, it's a great habit to have, but for myself, I felt like it became so much of a habit that I wasn't really enjoying it?? I feel so much more free to just randomly pray throughout the day than I used to. :D
Deletereally, I discovered how much silence and just sitting with God just feels so...beautiful. We do this thing where everyone in my family will just go of for 10-15 minutes and go somewhere outside by themselves and just sit and talk with God. it's really lovely, and there is just such a powerful feeling to it -- and yes, I honestly don't think God cares about "pretty" words -- He just cares about whats in our hearts <33
I feel this post.
ReplyDeletehonestly, I never had an issue with prayer. like it was always very straight forward to me. until recently. like I really have no idea how to do it. its been months and I really havent prayed at all. and its bad. and like. I dont know. its super complicated. I dont know how or why or if it works and I have so many doubts that it gets very difficult. if that makes sense? sorry Im just rambling.
what I mean to say is, this is a good post. Im glad you came to understand that prayer is just talking because I had to realize that once upon a time, even if it seems like its pointless to me now.
I guess you could pray for my relationship with God. its not really anything right now and I'm not sure what to do about it.
Faith -- Just because you don't /feel/ anything in your relationship with God doesn't mean it's hopeless. because, Jesus IS hope. Just because you feel like you've forgotten how to pray doesn't mean you can't talk to God. Just because you may have gotten lost from the path doesn't mean you can't come back, or that Jesus doesn't want you back. Because you can, and He does! Don't feel unworthy because you've fallen short of expectations. Because, you are worthy and we are all imperfect without God. Don't feel like you can't come back to Jesus, because He's waiting with open arms. Don't feel like you might make mistakes again, and so you shouldn't even try and that Jesus won't want someone who messes up. Because you will make mistakes, we all will! -- but it's /okay/. Mistakes are okay, as long as we don't let them lead us. Jesus loves us, messes and all.
DeleteYou can get through this, Faith! Jesus wants and loves you. However unworthy you may think yourself, the thought of you being unworthy has /never/ entered God's mind. He died for us - He saved us /because/ we are sinners. /because/ we mess up.
Just talk with Him, Faith. I personally like to go outside and just sit in the grass and talk like He's sitting beside me, because He is! Let Him know what's going on. It doesn't have to be pretty, just spill. Let everything you are holding in go. Or maybe don't talk. Just sit. It's okay. He's there.
and yes, I'm totally praying for you. don't give up, Faith! you are loved. don't forget that /ever/. <33
Great thoughts, Sarah! I've been struggling in my prayer life recently too and this really hit home with me. I'll definitely be praying for you! *pinky promise* :P I need prayers just for the future as there's a lot of unknowns and I want to trust God with it all and not do my own thing, if you know what I mean ;) Thank you Sarah for writing!
ReplyDeleteaw, so glad, Ashley! and I'll totally be praying for you, too *pinky promises in return* XD ahhh, yes, I feel that. The unknown can be super scary and overwhelming...we just need to put our Faith in God (something to be done daily, honestly XP XD) totally, girl! like I said, I'll be praying for you <33
DeleteOkay so this was officially one of the best posts I've read in September. Thanks, girl! <3 (and you can pray that writing and school goes well for me because #MUCHSTRESS. And I'll be praying for YOU because new things tend to equal #MUCHSTRESS, too xD)
ReplyDelete~ Savannah | Scattered Scribblings
omw really?? awwee, thanks, Sav! <33 oh, I feel it also. THE STRESS OF SCHOOL AND WRITING AND WORK AND ERRANDS AND TRYING TO KEEP MY ROOM CLEAN AND THAT RANDOM STUFF THAT JUST HAPPENS THAT IS APPARENTLY CALLED LIFE #istryingnottogetstress YES new things cause much anxiety for me blehh :P I'll be praying that the stress monster doesn't eat you, k? xD
DeleteAWW you're watching little house on the prairie!!!! Such a good movie!!! <3 <3
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It was so very well put. i love when you said that sometimes silence is more powerful. it so is!!
thanks for sharing this. xx
Sophy
aww yes it's like still my fav and I've watched them 102801231098121 times. did you know that some of the VHS's have extra clips?? SO COOL
Deletethank you!! I guess it's something I know pretty well being the introvert I am haha. and totally, Sophy! <33
Love this post! Great insights. Prayer IS just talking with God. I don't know why it seems tough sometimes. I think when I try to put "prayer" on my to-do list, it becomes less fun. It should be something that happens naturally, joyfully. I also LOVE that you brought up how we should LISTEN to God, too! Because so often I pray and pray, just blabbing on, LOL, and I'm not taking time to hear back from Him. This was an awesome post!
ReplyDeleteALSO THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS SAY WHAT
thanks, Erin!! idk, I think us humans just make things waaayyy more complex than we need to. God must laugh at us for it pretty often xP XD I think the toughest point is when you realize it's become a chore...I'm working on it -- and I suppose I always will be!
DeleteI actually only recently /really/ realized about the listening part when I started spending more time just sitting outside and talking with God. I came to a point where I didn't know what else to say -- so I just sat still and listened. also when I had the realization that Jesus was (and is!) sitting right beside me. somehow it makes praying feel more real??
IKR LIKE WAHT EVEN it's coming out on the 29th apparently *is waiting to see what it'll be like*
Wow, so much truth in your words, and the photos are spectacular. I definitely need more prayer in my life. Thanks for the reminder. xx
ReplyDeletewell, obviously I can't take the credit for them xD aww, thank you!! and..you know, we probably all need more of it. but we shouldn't beat ourselves up for our seemingly constant faults -- we should be looking ahead and striving for better -- striving for Jesus! <33
DeleteTHIS IS SUCH A GOOD REMINDER. I've been really working on my prayer life lately, although I admit that I've totally been slacking the past week or so. I really need to get back on top of it. So thank you for this, lovely! <3
ReplyDeleteIKR it was kind of one of those posts that you just start writing almost for yourself to get your thoughts out and then just post it?? haha. aww, well don't dwell on that last week and just...look forward and keep going. we can get through this with Jesus by our sides! totally, Grace -- glad it helped a little! <33
DeleteYES. Prayer is just talking to God one on one and so many people take advantage of this and it's so sad. I'm slowly learning to take time to pray and I've been struggling lately in keeping in constant prayer but God's got this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting!
And The Magic School Bus was my life even at the age of twelve - Netflix would RUIN it. Just sayin'. The original is too classic to change.
yeah..the problem is, if you get to deep into it then it can become complex. people say you shouldn't talk to God like you would a friend because He's our King and should be spoken to like it - and I totally agree, but at the same time, Jesus wants us to have relationships with Him..and how can we do that if we speak to Him like we're robots?? anyways, that's kinda the conclusion I came to, although everyones will obv be different xD
Deletelol same! and I kind of agree, hopefully they don't mess it up too much. but sometimes I find that if you look at it as a completely different show than the original one it can be okay?? we'll see what it's like I guess XD
So true, Sarah, and I can so relate! We humans complicate things WAY too much, when really? Don't you get this feeling that once we get to Heaven, we'll experience God in such a way that'll leave us thinking WHY DIDN'T I PRAY MORE OFTEN?
ReplyDeleteI just read a devotional by Spurgeon that said "Is prayer your element or your weariness? Which?" and it really struck me. I think we've become so indoctrinated into praying as a scheduled thing to the point it's become a drudgery. How saddening that is! It's to be our desire--our joy. Not an item pinned on our to-do list!
Also, the 'saying equating doing'...I'm guilty of that sometimes. The thing is, I'm plumb forgetful. I once knew a woman who made a bracelet with each bead representing someone she was praying for. I think that's a great idea--to attach an object in your mind to a prayer request--be it bracelet, or note on your bulletin board, or whatever!
Great post, Sarah! Very insightful and encouraging. And lovely pics as always!
yours,
G
yes!! it's rather silly sometimes xP YES like it's hard, and I often kick myself for the thought of 'why I don't think and thank of the One who created us more often?!' it's a hard thing..and yes, it's really true. when prayer becomes a chore it's a really sad thing!
DeleteI've done the same thing! Now, I just pray right on the spot -- I doubt Jesus minds that I'll shoot random prayers/thanks at Him throughout the day XD that's a super cool idea! I've seen stuff like that before :D and thanks, girlie! <33
YASSSS. Just, yes, yes, YES. I've really been trying to focus on prayer lately, and this post was a m a z i n g. Sometimes no words come at all and I'm just like "why can't I talk to the One who is Love?" I was basically at the end of myself when I realized that our hearts can pray too. When the feelings get all choked up and words can't form, the suffering in our heart can speak to Him as loud as coherent words can. And in the silence I realize what a beautiful thing prayer is--communication with the One who loves us more than anything, Whose mercy and compassion surpasses everything.
ReplyDeletebtw, I've found that writing prayers is a good way to get the "conversation" going. As a writer my words sometimes come out clearer when I write. I have a prayer notebook where I just spill everything to God because my mind can't make up anything coherent.
I rambled :P Beautiful post, girl <3
(why do I feel like we have been twinning a lot lately?? XD) but aww, thank you!! and it's true...sometimes words just don't come. sometimes we can't find the words to speak to the people we know around us, so obviously it happens talking to God, too. Jesus knows, though, He knows our every thought and everything in our hearts (scary sometimes :P) but He understands -- just so long as we don't give up!!
DeleteI find it really hard because my days are SO jam-packed that at the end of the day, I have to force myself to not fall asleep while I'm praying (legit sometimes I fall asleep with the light on :P). and in the morning I have to jump out of bed to get to work. I'm trying to not let the busy take control, but it's tough.
haha maybe I'll have to try that again (I always get annoyed because my brain goes faster than my hand can write -- which is why I type things pretty often. people say they see smoke coming from my fingerss 'cuz they go so fast ha ha ha :P )
and no worries, I ramble pretty often myself lol. thanks, Audrey! <33
i will pray for you sare!! <3 i will pray that you won't have anxiety. <3 if you could pray for me and school...that would be awesome. i am really having a hard time finding anyone worth knowing and i am struggling with anxiety. thank you so much girl <3 miss you
ReplyDeletethank you, girl!! <33 that means a lot (especially with drivers ed coming up like AAAAaaaHHHhh :P xD) aww, totally. I know how stressful my school can be, so I can't even imagine college!
DeleteI'll totally be praying for you. and, don't worry, even if you don't meet anyone, Jesus is your best friend and He is ALWAYS there. and I understand anxiety, too, but don't worry. God doesn't want that for us, He didn't come to save us just for us to worry about a bunch of stuff -- just look forward and keep your eyes and heart on Jesus. He's walking right beside you, so there's no need to stress all the time. aww, same, girl <33