“Pray without ceasing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.” — Phillipians 4:6 TLB
From Head to Heart
Transformational progress
I wrote an autobiography about my life. It was my first book published, and since that time, I’ve learned many things about books. One thing I learned is that I can do better.
Enter the second edition. I haven’t yet written it, but as I review my first book, I see some themes that stand out, such as my transformation from believing in God in my head to knowing Him in my heart.
I recently read in a Facebook post —
“Prayer is nothing more than wishful thinking and an excuse to do nothing. God doesn’t listen to prayer (because it is mainly complaining and asking for stuff) but he definitely knows your heart and sees what you do.”
Does God see us as needy people who should be ignored because we complain too much? Do I need to solve my own problems before God will accept me? I believed this in the past — I thought I needed to get my heart right first and figure out how to be a better person.
I now view God differently, and I often pray what David wrote in Psalm 51:10:
“Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
Only God’s spirit can help me be a better person.
I now see God as an ever-present friend — someone I can always talk to about everything — all the people I care about, the things I’m grateful for, the things I’ve done wrong, and when I just need a soft place to land after a hard day. He is there — ready to listen, reassure, forgive, comfort, and guide me whenever I want or need it.
If you don’t yet have this kind of relationship with God, I encourage you to pursue it. He is always there — you just need to reach out.
Yes, He is that kind of God!
Endless Conversation
Dear Lord, I dedicate this day to you.
And also may I pray
that everything I say
is good
and right
and pure
and true.
Please guide my way.
Don’t let me stray
from you again.
And now, dear Lord,
I say, “Amen.”
No wait, I don’t want this to end.
“Amen” sounds too much like good-bye,
and I don’t want to just comply
with how they say it’s always done,
to end a thing that’s just begun.
I just want to keep you near
so I can tune my ear to hear
the things you have to say today.
And I can also, if I may,
continue talking all day through,
talking all day long with you,
continue with this conversation,
on and on without cessation.
