There is power in prayer! In this month's Encouragement Memo I included the following link to view a compilation of President Reagan's wisdom on this subject. It was such an encouragement to me and I hoped to those who also would view it. (If you are not on my mailing list you can join on this website...susienelsen.com)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8s9cmtwqM4
On a personal note, prayer has been an integral part of my life for many years. I don't know what I would do without my "Papa" to go to...to petition, to dump on...to thank...and to just chat with. It is a link to the divine which accomplishes miracles and brings peace!
But what do you do if you feel like your requests are falling on deaf ears? I have been asked this question more than once recently. I have empathy for those asking, because I too have felt that way at times. I liken it to some analogies we can relate to in our lives:
1. Do we think much about what happens to the food we eat? We just eat it, enjoy it, and are no longer hungry, and go on about our business. We don't analyze the steps it goes through as it is broken down and processed into energy by our bodies. But that doesn't change the fact that it is.
2. Do we think much about what happens to our muscles when we work out? We just finish our exercise, shower, and go on about our business. We don't analyze the conditioning that is taking place underneath our skin and within our bodies. But that doesn't change the fact that if we are diligent, we soon start to notice the benefits of toned muscles.
3. Do we think much about what happens within our minds and bodies during sleep? We just crash, wake up, and get on with the next day. We don't analyze the repair and renewing processes going on within us while we catch ZZZs. But that doesn't change the fact that when we awaken, we are recharged and ready for another day because of all those processes.
So it is with prayer. Sometimes we don't see immediate results. Sometimes, we don't see the results we want at all. But that doesn't change the fact that an All Knowing, Supreme and Sovereign Being is at work. The deal is that He is God and we are not. (If, by the way, you ARE your own god, good luck with that!) God sees the big picture, we see only a sliver of the whole. God has the end of the story sewn up, we are still living out the middle chapters. But, at the end of the day, it's still worth going to Him with our cares, problems, and triumphs. The trick is to leave them there! Either we trust Him with them, or we don't. If we take them back, to try to work it all out on our own, we will just exhaust ourselves.
I am in the process of watching a HUGE miracle unfold in my life. Make no mistake, this is a very difficult situation. But God has moved mountains to bring our grandson, who will be 6 this month, home from Africa. He is in the process of moving mountains to help him settle in, and He will continue to move mountains in his life here in his new home, with his new family. I will continue to talk to God about it all, and rejoice as I see the answers coming...some slower...some faster...but still on the way!
How about you? What mountains do you need moved in your life? I would love to hear your story. I encourage you to go to "Papa" and let Him know how you feel. He's not deaf...He's not blind...but He is Sovereign and worthy of our trust and faith.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8s9cmtwqM4
On a personal note, prayer has been an integral part of my life for many years. I don't know what I would do without my "Papa" to go to...to petition, to dump on...to thank...and to just chat with. It is a link to the divine which accomplishes miracles and brings peace!
But what do you do if you feel like your requests are falling on deaf ears? I have been asked this question more than once recently. I have empathy for those asking, because I too have felt that way at times. I liken it to some analogies we can relate to in our lives:
1. Do we think much about what happens to the food we eat? We just eat it, enjoy it, and are no longer hungry, and go on about our business. We don't analyze the steps it goes through as it is broken down and processed into energy by our bodies. But that doesn't change the fact that it is.
2. Do we think much about what happens to our muscles when we work out? We just finish our exercise, shower, and go on about our business. We don't analyze the conditioning that is taking place underneath our skin and within our bodies. But that doesn't change the fact that if we are diligent, we soon start to notice the benefits of toned muscles.
3. Do we think much about what happens within our minds and bodies during sleep? We just crash, wake up, and get on with the next day. We don't analyze the repair and renewing processes going on within us while we catch ZZZs. But that doesn't change the fact that when we awaken, we are recharged and ready for another day because of all those processes.
So it is with prayer. Sometimes we don't see immediate results. Sometimes, we don't see the results we want at all. But that doesn't change the fact that an All Knowing, Supreme and Sovereign Being is at work. The deal is that He is God and we are not. (If, by the way, you ARE your own god, good luck with that!) God sees the big picture, we see only a sliver of the whole. God has the end of the story sewn up, we are still living out the middle chapters. But, at the end of the day, it's still worth going to Him with our cares, problems, and triumphs. The trick is to leave them there! Either we trust Him with them, or we don't. If we take them back, to try to work it all out on our own, we will just exhaust ourselves.
I am in the process of watching a HUGE miracle unfold in my life. Make no mistake, this is a very difficult situation. But God has moved mountains to bring our grandson, who will be 6 this month, home from Africa. He is in the process of moving mountains to help him settle in, and He will continue to move mountains in his life here in his new home, with his new family. I will continue to talk to God about it all, and rejoice as I see the answers coming...some slower...some faster...but still on the way!
How about you? What mountains do you need moved in your life? I would love to hear your story. I encourage you to go to "Papa" and let Him know how you feel. He's not deaf...He's not blind...but He is Sovereign and worthy of our trust and faith.