Prayer request . . . and help with praying

me, missin' my man and my pooch ^ | 12/15/03 | me

[Xenalyte]

Asking for the help and support that FReepers so generously and gladly give.

I became unemployed again in mid-November. When it last happened in January, I was working within two weeks, so I figured this time would be just as easy for a superb tech writer with a slick resume and great experience. Wrong, I was. I've worked a couple of temp jobs in the past month, but they're not reliable or long-term. The market may be looking up, but likely not until after the first of the year, and that seems like forever away when one's trying to make bills now.

Add to that the usual holiday stressors, and one very unusual one - the Dread Boston Salty is living at obedience school for two weeks, so my baby boy isn't here with me and it's killin' me. Xena's Guy is in Vegas for a few days, and the house is eerily and freakishly quiet.

And on top of it, for some reason my prayers don't feel right. I don't get the peaceful feeling I used to, and (as I told one FReeper earlier today) once you start worrying if you're even praying right, you're in a big downward spiral. I mean, what kind of fool doesn't even know how to pray? :)

[Xenalyte]

Any advice would be so very appreciated . . . I thank you in advance. Y'all are THE best!

[Tax-chick]

It's a shame you're so far away ... I'd love to loan you a half-dozen kids to solve your quiet problem :-). And I'll pray about your job situation. It's a bummer this time of year. To cheer yourself up, you can think of Saddam Hussein cowering in a hole in the ground, and those immortal words, "How can I urinate when my people are in bondage?"

For your difficulty with prayer, I suggest the Psalms. Choose one to suit your mood, and imagine you made it up in your own head to speak to the Lord. You can't go wrong with the Psalms!

Cheers,
Xy

[gcruse]

To cheer yourself up, you can think of Saddam Hussein cowering in a hole in the ground, and those immortal words, "How can I urinate when my people are in bondage?"

Apparently, that is too rough for the ears of even the cable TV audience.
Britt Hume's version of what Hussein said was, "How can I go to the bathroom when my people are in bondage?"  LOL  I'm not making that up.

[Xenalyte]

"How can I urinate when my people are in bondage?"

The man has the soul of a poet, I swear. Or perhaps a restroom attendant. I can see how having one's something-else in bondage can keep one from urinating . . .

It's been a LOOOONG time since I actually read out of my Bible. Far too long.

Thanks, TC!

[Xenalyte]

I guess it's a good thing Brit didn't say "potty." Sheesh. :)

[Tax-chick]

Or "piddle" ... my youngest (2 next week!) will run around saying "Piddle a puddle!" when he needs a dry diaper!

[Xenalyte]

I kinda like that. It's alliterative. Plus, it makes a great alternative phrase to my usual rhyming swear, which involves a duck.

[Tax-chick]

The report for his other business is "Pat POOOOOOT!"

Don't you feel better now? Nothing like a little political toilet humor to take your mind of the real world "-).

[John Beresford Tipton]

""How can I go to the bathroom when my people are in bondage?""

That thought could certainly be the underlying reason that Moses/Charlton Heston kept screaming:
"Let my people go!"

[gcruse]

Well, when you've gotta go, you've gotta go.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

I don't get the peaceful feeling I used to,

Persevere till you break thru. Nothing wrong with your prayers, just that fear is blocking your reception. We'll be praying from our house!

[EuroFrog]

Do you pray the ACTS way?

Adoration - tell God how awesome and wonderful he is.

Confession - tell him all you did, ask for forgiveness, and ask Him to show you any sins you might be committing and are not aware of.

Thanksgiving - tell Him everything you are thankful for, including His sacrifice for you

Supplication - time to ask for your specific needs

If you havent picked up your Bible in a long time then it is definately time to pick it up again. Sounds like you have alot of time on your hands so unless Im way off base you have time to spare for reading.

Something I have also found useful (not going to say it will work for you, but doesnt hurt to try) is when I have been really really desperate, I have demanded that God get me through a hard time (namely my hubbys deployment.) I made sure He knew I couldnt do it on my own (I think He likes to hear that) and demanded that He do it for me. Amazingly enough, this was the first time my hubby was gone for longer than 2 months (7 and a half total!!) that I did not get on an antidepressant.

Another 'phrase' I use alot when Im not sure what is going on and things seem pretty bad, is to tell God, I dont understand, but I trust You anyway.

You are in my prayers.

[Johnny Gage]

As one who's wife was let go last week, I offer my prayers that the right job will be soon in coming.

Ditto's on the Psalms.

God hears us no matter how we pray.

It's His answers that we may not always hear.

[trussell]

Prayer ping.

Please post your replies to Xenalyte.

Xenalyte-My family will be praying.

Pray to bind the enemy, be sure to use the words "In Jesus' name" or "In the name of Jesus" to your prayer. The bible says: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14;6

Blessings,
trussell


If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

I really don't have any advice to offer.
However I will say some prayers for your peace of mind and soul.

[Dubya]

Praying
FYI

“And when you pray, you shall not pray like the hypocrites that love to pray standing in the synagogues on the corners of the streets that they may be seen by men. Assuredly I say unto you, they have their reward. But you when you pray go into your room, and when you have shut the door, pray to your father who is in secret, and then your father who sees in secret will reward you openly. But when you pray, do not use vain repetition as the heathen do for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore, do not be like them for your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask it.” (Matthew 6:5-8)

There are two thoughts that I want you to have on that one scripture. Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask it. First of all, the purpose of prayer is not to inform God of your need. Most Christians believe that. God knows your need before you ask Him. So what is the purpose of prayer? I believe that God sends need so that He can have fellowship with you because the only time God ever hears from you is when you have a need. Think about that. God's omnipotent. He knows all things from beginning to end, and what He wants above all is fellowship with you. Now if the only way He can get it is send you need, that's what He's going to do. Above all else, you are His created, and He's still looking for that Garden of Eden experience, walking and talking. And that's what it's going to be in the paradise of God.
The second issue is plainly what it says that God knows what you need before you ask it. Before you were ever cold in the winter, God placed in the bowels of the earth millions of tons of fuel to heat ever human being on the planet. Before you were ever hungry, God gave the earth the ability to reproduce food. And we have the ability to reproduce enough food to feed the world, and if the dictators who were over people would allow the food to get to them, we could feed them. Before you ever knew what sickness was, Christ made it possible for you to be healed. Before you ever knew you needed to be delivered of sin, the Bible says, From the foundations of the earth, before Genesis 1:1, God laid redemption's plan because He knew the end from the beginning. And before there was ever such a thing as sin, God made it possible for you to be delivered from sin.
So when you kneel down and tell God about your need, don't in your own childish way think you're informing God of something He doesn't know. He knows it and is waiting and wanting to meet your every need.
May the Lord add His blessing to the reading of the Word.”
– Pastor John C. Hagee

[Pegita]

Heavenly Father, we return to give You thanks for the Power and Truth of Your Word:

"Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in thee." Psalm 56:3

Thank You, O God, that we go by faith and not by feeling ... thank You that even the silent aches do not escape Your ear ... bring to Xenalyte the joy of fellowship with You, for out of faithfulness, You bring peace and contentment and assurance and joy. In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen ...

[glock rocks]

Any advice would be so very appreciated . . . Trust in Providence.

I'll be praying for you. Have a peaceful Christmas. God bless.

[BlessedBeGod]

Prayers on the way!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Thanks for the ping TR...

I think that as long as you pray with passion you are doing fine. I think as long as you go about your business, in the best spirit of giving as you can, and you have a lead a life of kindness, and with a faithful heart ,you will have all of the passion you need.

I don't know if anyone knows how to pray the "right way" . There are some here who will give you some good advice, and I hope someone will give you the words you are looking for.

But who are we really to judge what another prays for, or what words another person uses while asking for their heart's desire. I think thee words come from the heart of each individual.

God knows your heart and motivations, He knows what has brought you to the circumstances that find you in need.. to me that is what counts.

I hope you will find the words and the motivations to use your passion, and that you find the answers you seek.