Saturday, March 10, 2012

Five Minute Friday – Empty Prayers


Today the Lord convicted me that I was praying empty prayers devoid of faith when praying for God to intervene in circumstances in my life.

My prayers have been passionate and my feelings have been laid bare before the Lord.  Each day, I’m praying for God to move in the circumstances and intervene on my behalf.  While I was praying the Lord helped me to see that I was being double minded.  I was asking for the Lord to be at work in my situation and immediately following that prayer I was planning how to handle it if or when the Lord did not answer my prayer as I had asked.

I’m wrestling about praying with faith and accepting God’s will.  I desire to pray with confidence in God and be assured that He is able to handle what concerns me.  Nothing is too hard for God.  

Then the doubt creeps in…I need to be practical, after all what I’m praying may not be God’s will for my circumstance?  

Erring on the side of faith, when I’m praying within the will of God as revealed in the Bible, I can pray with a confident expectation that God will act. 

The fine line is praying with expectation and a confident assurance in God, but not demanding my way when God chooses to act differently.  I need to remember that when God chooses to answer my prayers differently, it doesn’t change one iota who He is and what He is able to do.  I can trust the plan He is working out.  I will only know God’s will as He works out the circumstances in my life. 

Lord, may I err on the side of faith, of believing that You are well able to handle all that concerns me today.  Help me to pray Lord with unwavering faith and trust You in all circumstances.  May I not be double minded and remember that You are pleased with those who walk by faith. 
 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. – Heb 11:1

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. – Heb 11:6

7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. – James 1:7-8


This post is being linked to 5-Minute Friday courtesy of The Gypsy Mama, where you simply write for 5 minutes without worrying if it's right or not.  Head on over and take the challenge today.


6 comments:

Mrs. Mac said...

Wow .. this is a great reminder about our relationship with the Lord .. and He's over all .. not the other way around. Blessings to you for sharing.

Wanda said...

Susan, Susan, it's as if I could have penned this one myself. You have me questioned my own prayers and the faith I have truly in those prayers. Hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend.

podso said...

You did great with five minutes and it spoke right into my heart today, just what I needed to hear. I think God sent you to my blog so that I would go to yours!

Dawning Inspiration said...

Hi there and thanks for visiting my blog! Just said a prayer for you that God will make His will know for you. Blessings.

momto8 said...

the doubt is not from God.
Keep the faith!!
I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.
Mother Teresa said a prayer for more faith is a prayer that is always answered.

Alida Sharp said...

I love this...erring on the side of faith.

May we all seek to do that in our lives!

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