Archive for February, 2010

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

I have to confess I am somewhat of a type A personality in that when I need something done I like to get right on it, get it done, and marked off my to do list. In the assignments God entrusts to us this approach often does not work.

Recently upon arrival home from a writer’s conference my head was swimming with all the writing projects and speaking promotion I could do; however, I have had it with my own ideas that don’t lead anywhere except to frustration. I want to be a good steward, so in the past I have run ahead with what seemed like the right thing to do, only to end up with no fruit to show for the effort. It was as if I was saying to the Lord, “Come along with me and bless my idea. You follow me, Jesus.”

A very proliferate writer/speaker said when she started praying five minutes a day over her ministry things really seemed to start happening. I certainly pray over what the Lord would have me pursue, but have interspersed those prayers into my regular time rather than a concentrated focus.

I decided I would try what she suggested as I was trying to sort through all the possibilities presented at the conference. When I finished this prayer time I heard in my spirit, “Be faithful, not frantic” I thought this was a very good word for many of us who want to serve the Lord, but sometimes shoot off in too many directions as we try to do our best for Him. (Noble as it is to want to serve Him)

Be faithful, not frantic is now my reminder that I am not to be anxious but to have faith in the Scripture in Psalm 138:8a “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.” Then I will experience the peace promised in Philippians 4:7.”And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your heats and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Prayer: Lord, help me to stay submitted to your will for ministry and not my own ideas. Help me to stay focused and faithful, but not frantic.

© 2010, Peggy Park

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8 niv

Do you ever get carried away praying your plans for a friend or loved one? Have you included detailed suggestions as to the perfect answer for an urgent prayer need?

Recently when this happened to me I was reminded of the passage in the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:10. I am to pray God’s will on earth as it is in heaven. I had it backwards! I was trying to pray my will from earth into heaven.

I have had to learn this over and over as I pray for others. My nursing background makes me want to see everybody whole and “fixed.” and not suffering. Just as we do not have the thoughts of God, we often are not on His timetable. He is working in ways we can not discern but, once we pray to the best of our understanding and leading, we must trust Him to work the situation out in His time and in His way.

I realize now it is much wiser to pray for God’s will to be done in a troubling situation. In addition we can search for Scriptures that pertain to the situation and pray those. The Father loves to hear His words spoken back to Him. I could never understand why this would be so until a comparison came to me. It is like a parent who tries and tries to teach a child something and then rejoices when they hear the child saying the teaching back like he was the one who thought of it. Then the parents knows the child “got it.” I think God rejoices to hear His children quoting His words back to Him. It shows Him we have been diligent to read His word and to believe it.

I also am learning to pray that the will of the person involved will line up with God’s will. This is a perfect prayer as it bypasses all my well intended suggestions.

© 2010, Peggy Park

There is a sure way to come to know God better and that is through

His word. His word is first of all Jesus, as His life reflected God. John 14: 9 b tells us, ‘He who has seen me has seen the Father.” We get a very accurate picture of the heart of God when we read about His son, Jesus, as He ministered to those around Him. Often they were the “down and outers”, people that others walked around without so much as a word to them.

We also know God through Scripture as He gives in His word instructions for living a fruitful, fulfilling life filled with love for Him and love for His creation – our fellow travelers in life who sometimes we don’t feel like loving.

Let us observe Jesus’ behavior and also be mindful of the guidelines in the Bible for each of us to follow.

© 2010, Peggy Park

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6

I Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing.  I think this has to mean a heart attitude of submitting everything to Him whether we voice it aloud or not.

Volumes have been filled with thoughts on prayer, but the bottom line is mankind connecting with the creator, the lover of our souls through a focused, set apart, time as well as prayer thoughts floating up to Him as we journey through our daily lives. He is always available, the line is not busy when we call Him and he ever waits to fellowship with us.

Let us resolve to take full advantage of this opportunity to have an audience with our Father in heaven.

© 2010, Peggy Park.