Sit. Pray. Be still. Or simply go about your day…just PRAY. Chat it up with God.
Prayer is a HUGE part of my life.
This past week I’ve been lacking on journaling, but busy about praying. While “busying” myself with chores or going about my daily life, God and I chat.
Pulling weeds. Driving down the road. Washing dishes. Singing. Being observant with others. Being STILL…God and I chat.
Thanking Him. Praising God. Crying out to Him for specific needs. Lifting others up to the Lord. You name it, God and I chat.
This morning, I sat in my comfy chair, picked up my bible, and I already had it opened to James 5. I specifically read James 5:13-18. While reading those verses, the names on my prayer wall came to mind.
Many names are people whom, when I asked the question “What are you struggling with?” on Facebook, back in April, they responded. Overwhelmingly responded! I have prayed for and thought of these folks often. They’re on my wall! When I recently message each one to let them know I still am praying for them and just checking up on how their struggles are going, or hopefully ceasing, it was refreshing to hear that some have been resolved, some are now on meds, some are still in the process yet great relief comes each day, and for one the struggle has gotten stronger and more debilitating. (Friend, I’m going to believe that when that occurs, and you are fervently seeking God daily, He has big plans for you. Remind Satan, “Not today.”, and keep your eyes on Jesus. He’s got you!)
Lately the prayers for my children have become more specific in certain areas too. I can’t wait to witness God’s power move in their hearts and lives.
I want you to know that when your name pops into my mind, God and I chat.
If you ask me to pray, God and I chat, and right then so I won’t forget.
When you tell me your heartache and/or your successes, God and I chat.
Now, let’s glance at those verses from James 5:13-18:
Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.
16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
Here are some things I circled and underlined in my bible:
- Suffering hardships…pray
- Happy…praise
- Sick…pray (even if God’s healing is not on this earth, yet complete healing with Him)
- Committed any sins…confess…pray…forgiven
- “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has a great power and produces wonderful results.”
- Pray earnestly
- Pray again
Notice that in these verse, you don’t have to go it alone. Share your heartache and joys with others. Include them in your prayer and praise time.
I guess my point is for today…pray! Chat it up with God.
My prayer is for you to be chatting it up with God throughout your day. See God work. Be earnest in your prayer life. Pray is a powerful and will produce wonderful results.
Oh yea, how can I pray for you today? God and I can chat about you.
Blessings to you and yours.
Love, Stephanie
Thank you for your ministry sweet friend! You clearly have a gift! I would love for you to pray for my sweet girl, Reagan. Without a giant history…she struggles to find her “fit” in ANY group. She is rushing sororities (for 2nd year) and it seems like this year may end up as disappointing as last year. So, I guess my prayer is first, for her to have confidence in who God has made her to be, not be disappointed, find friends that will accept her as she is and be there for more than a short season. Loneliness is tough.
Thank you, Stephanie for being a friend that will pray for me. I am happy to return the favor anytime! Though separated by years and miles, still happy to call you, friend!
Good Morning Stephanie,
I just read your post on chatting with God. I read all your posts and enjoy them very much. I don’t always comment on them, but know you are a great blessing to all who read your writings. I chat with God but not as much as I should lately and I appreciate your post reminding me that I need to “chat” more often and about everything.
Thank you for the reminder. It was needed today.
Again, thanks for all your writings. You are truly a blessing to me.
Cindy
Cindy, Thank you!! Enjoy your chats with God. He’s available 24/7. Get real with Him. He likes that. 🙂 Have a beautiful day.
Amen. Reagan in on the list. Remind her, as I’m sure you have, that she always “fits in” with God. Loneliness IS tough! My daughter is the same way. She doesn’t have sororities at her campus, but the who fitting in and finding the right group is hard. It’s hard on us momma’s too seeing them go through this. Love you, my friend!