~ Martin Luther ~
Let me share with you my typical workday morning…
Alarm goes off at 4:15am and 4:30am (yeah – clock has two settings ïŠ). After a little grumble (okay, much grumble), I start praying…
After I get my first does of caffeine, read my devotions at LWG, CWO and Proverbs 31, I get ready. During the time my Sweetheart gets ready; I prepare his breakfast and coffee to take to work with him. I clean his glasses, put out his watch and gum, so he can rush out the door when he is done. Before I leave, I check in with some of my favorite Bloggers to leave a comment…Sometimes I even iron a shirt for me Sweetheart, because I didn’t do it on the weekend 😳 …Believe me, I cram a lot of stuff in 2 hours before I leave the house…I never stop praying through the entire morning routine…
To be honest with you, I pray the entire day. Really! Not on my knees, but I pray. Luther said this about prayer: “To talk with God is just as real as a conversation with a friend.†and “Naturally, He knows all; but I have a right to talk to Him about it, to tell Him what I have to say and to listen to what He has to say to me. For one dare not forget that prayer has two component parts: talking and listening. How can we expect God to listen to us if we do not listen to Him? As a rule, we think of prayer only when we are in trouble up to our ears.â€
These statements have impacted my prayer life for the past 5 years. I thought that I could approach God only in a humble position and only with my hands folded. What Luther said about praying/talking to God makes totally sense. Not only do I approach the throne of grace when I am in trouble, but share with Him my day—the good and the bad.
I have learned that I have to wait for an answer on some of my prayers for a long time, but I know that He hears all my requests—He will answer them in His time…It gives me peace and it takes away my anxiety on things that I do not have control over…And I know that no request is too small to bring to my Father’s attention…Let me share with you a little story:
Several years ago, when I was still working in the church office, I had the accounting program locked down with a password. One Monday morning I could not open the program, because I had forgotten that I changed the password the Friday before…I started to sweat—I was close to tears. So, I started praying (without ceasing)—I asked God to just guide my fingers over the keyboard, that I would trust Him that He knew the password. After I typed a few characters on my keyboard –with my eyes closed, I heard the little ‘ding’ that opened the program. I still get goose-bumps when I think about it…Till this day; I do not know the password.
Why am I telling you this story over and over? Because I love to share with you that if we blindly trust Him in situations; pray (talk) to Him; involve Him in our daily life—He will answer our prayers. Prayer is a conversation, not only should be talk, but also listen to Him…I am not telling you that we will receive the answers we like to hear, or the timing we want, just that He will answer our prayers …
Yes, praying has become to me second nature–just like breathing…
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)
Blessings on your day and as always…
If you wrote your own post about this week’s IOW quote, please leave your link, visit other participants and leave comments if possible. If you didn’t write, please still participate in the comment section…Will you involve Him with your daily life? Share with Him you heart, no matter how mundane it seems to. He loves for you to talk to Him…
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My link got on Mr. Linky twice. I don’t know how–did you add one? I have so much to say about this post. First of all, this is one of my favorite ones that you’ve written. It just really feels like it’s YOU. I am in awe of you and it all makes sense now because you are a woman of prayer, and one I desire to grow to be like.
Secondly I had an incident like that once too. We looked all over the house for an important check which was no where to be found. Finally I sat at my desk, and closed my eyes to pray. When I opened them, the cheque was right there like God placed it in front of me. It was way awesome.
Lastly I learned something new about you today. You don’t pee. You drink caffeine, but you never stop to pee, that’s fascinating. 🙂
What an inspiring post Iris! All I can say that God is truly THE miracle worker! Blessings
What a great post Iris…..thanks for challenging my thinking!
Blessings
Such a wonderful post, bless you sweety.
it’s so inspiring to read what you wrote here – we are called to pray without ceasing – and yes if we treat Jesus as a friend who is with us 24/7 it’s easy to talk to Him – and equally importantly to Stop, look at Him, and listen. I love what He has to say (most of the time – sometimes He’s hard in love too – but that’s another story)
Be encouraged to press in for MORE – He’s got so much in store for YOU
I love your story about your fingers and the “ding!” (I never get tired of it.)Goosebumps here too… :~)
Thank you for the kind comments that you left on my blog, and the precious greeting card that you sent me. I am truly blessed by your kindness, love you.
Iris, this is an inspiring post. I loved this quote. I had 3 or 4 takes on it going at the same time. I think in the end I managed to write what God is saying to me. But it really inspired my thinking this week. Blessings to you!
I have the goose bumps too! I wish I participated this week–I got lazy and forgot. Yesterday when my dog was missing I *didn’t* pray–I was just mad and walking around in a huff. Then when I *did* pray he trots back home. I usually pray instantly but I’m actually glad that I waited so I can see what didn’t work. 🙂
Great post!
Iris, a thought along these same lines is what I’m writing for Internet Cafe. usually when themes get repeated, we’re supposed to sit up a little taller and perk up our ears! I’m talking about me!
Iris-
I love that passage from Phillipians. I reflect on that constantly! Thanks for getting back to me on how you manage all of your blogging. I love the idea of doin it when you DH is on the computer at the same time. I also enjoyed reading how you seperate out your blogging from the devotion sites. I tend to lump them all into the same category and then I don’t get to the devotions until quite late in the day.
Have a great day!
Jennifer
I like it when you said, “I have learned that I have to wait for an answer on some of my prayers for a long time, but I know that He hears all my requests..” Yes he hears us, even when the answers are not as timely or the answers we like them to be, but he is there every minute waiting for us to talk to him.
Great post.
Iris, thank you for the beautiful post. Your insight is so thoughtful, I love how you encourage to pray w/out ceasing – in all things, all day – talk to our friend. Thanks!!
I loved your take on this – and yes the story of fingers passing over keys, and hitting all the right ones. That we could live more of our lives like that – fingers passing over the keys, trusting him to guide them to all the right places…I’m with you – I pray whenever the opportunity arises, when I need it desperately, when I see nature, whatever. If it only happened, in my home, on my knees it’d be sorely lacking. That he’s available all the time, any time – that makes it doable for me, keeps me connected to him. I’m so grateful that he’s gracious enough to be available, all the time, anywhere, just a whisper away.
Iris, this is absolutely beautiful! I agree with Darlene~the best you’ve written. And you are so right~prayer HAS to be a second nature to us as breathing. God is truly amazing and I love to hear Him praised. Blessings to you dear sister-in-Christ!
Beautiful thoughts!
Thanks for choosing this inspiring quote!
Jeanne
Thank you for this quote. I need to buckle down and be better with my prayer life…always talking to God…always…and I needed this quote and everyone’s posts this morning. Thank you!
Iris, your prayer life shows a deep and intimate relationship with Him. Bless you!
Bonnie
Hey girl……I did get to post on this weeks quote finally! Thanks for picking such a great one!
Blessings
Beautiful and inspiring post. Thanks!
I used to feel guilty about not making a production out of my prayers…I find myself praying constantly throughout the day…and didn’t want to be disrespectful by not stopping….you know, the prayer closet, the altar, the legality of it all! This quote is so freeing…it’s like breathing…we just do it. THANKS!
Diane
Its an amazing testimony, a wonderful lifestyle, to be with Him consciously all the time in prayer or worship or reading his word. Its just amazing to talk to him and to hear him. I know that there is nothing better than this.
It is good to realize that we *can* pray all the time.
I love this post Iris. We are studying prayer in my wednesday morning Bible Study. The Lord has been speaking to me about prayer for a long time. I too have come to learn that I just talk to Him all day long. I’m getting really good at that. It’s the time on my knees (that I know I need) I have a more difficult time with. Your post encouraged me so much. Thanks.
I agree Prayer is our way of talking with the Lord. I speak with him just like I would you. Good post!!!!!!!!!
Your thoughts are much the same as mine on prayer this week. Thanks for hosting! 🙂
4:30AM….that is soo neat iris. you are reminding me of several years ago – i used to get up that early. my “plan” was to train myself so that i could get up at 3 AM everymorning and just be with Jesus. ahhh.
i loved my morning quite times.
just my bible, my coffee and a notebook.
i miss that.
it kinda got crowded out…especially when i became a mama and had to get up several times a night. but i long for that again.
thanks for reminding me.
How could we make it through the day without Him?! Don’t want to find out!! Thanks for hosting this week!
I agree with everything you had to say about prayer! I too, pray all day long with constant conversations with God! Your blog was a blessing to me today!
OK, so I’m sneaking in an extra comment while you’re gone. Hope you get this. Congrats to you and your son!!! SaYoNaRa. :~)
What a great post … thanks so much for sharing it with us! 🙂
Love,
Jennelle
Oh yeah – I wanted to let you know that I come here via the blog “party”.
Have a wonderful day!
I loved these thought on prayers so very much! What a wonderful story of how we can turn to God in our everyday lives…
Blessings!
~Tammy
I loved your God-moment story. Sorry I couldn’t post this week! I’m too musy in Miami! I’ll “see” you when I get back!
Yes I need to get back to praying constantly. I do rise early to pray, not as early as you Iris! But I remember I used to be constantly in conversation with God, as another commenter Ruth said, He kind of got crowded out. Great reminder, thanks 🙂
Hmmm, where did my comment go, lol. I tried to re-post but WordPress said it was a duplicate? Lol. Anyway, great post Iris a wonderful reminder. Hugs.