I really needed this…"persevere in prayer". No matter how tired, nervous, discouraged I may be, if I just trust in prayer, I know everything will be okay!
I LOVED how Paul also said, "Be watchful AND thankful" (emphasis mine). 2 very things I need to work on. Keeping my guard up to keep Satan out AND making sure I'm not just praying my requests to God , but thanking HIm for what He's doing :)
Loved the comments. I know I need to work more on devoting myself to prayer. i also know I find it hard to share Christ with others, to proclaim what I believe in the midst of adversity or when I know it could cause conflict. so I pray for the same thing.
Hi ladies, i’m new to this group, and have been doing this on my Android phone, but I can not find the devotional. Can anyone direct me on how to get to the one we’re reading? Whats the name of it?
Christine, you not alone in your doubt. I think we all struggle with doubt to a certain point. These last couple of years, doubt has plagued me in many ways. But remember, God is faithful and will see you through each moment of doubt and uncertainty. Like several other ladies have said, tell God about your doubts. He wants you to come to Him in every situation. Even the ones where you fear or are uncertain. Please know, you will be in my prayers. That God may reveal Himself to you, even in the midst of doubt.
I had to chuckle a little bit at Paul and the translation I'm using (Common English Bible): "Pray that I might be able to make it as clear as I ought to when I preach." As I'm writing and praying about my sermon on Sunday, that is ALWAYS my prayer. Rarely am I as clear as I ought to be so that is a good reminder of what to keep in the forefront.
Devoting yourself to prayer is hard enough, let alone being watchful and thankful, as much as we should. I know it is a struggle of mine. Life gets in the way and praying becomes a quick few lines before I hit the pillow at night. Or I spend time throughout the day talking to Him in worry or asking things of Him, but not thanking Him or sitting with Him.
How often to I sit, alone, watchful and thankful and really spend time with Him and Him alone….sadly, not as much as He deserves.
I always want my door to be open for others to see God though me, but to be the best I can, I need to not only live by example and let others see Him in my actions, but be ready to carry whatever message He delivers to me in those quiet, watchful times.
Thank you all for sharing throughout this project! I learn so much about myself by reading your thoughts and words!
I consider myself a new follower in Christ because although my family went to church occasionally when I was very young, God did not play a big part in my life growing up. I find myself struggling with doubt and I'm trying my hardest to solidify my faith.
I'm in awe of Paul and his devotion to Christ. I often find myself praying for God to grant me the words to comfort someone or to glorify him, but my doubt keeps me from saying anything. Sometimes I feel like I'm missing a connection with God all together, even though I'm praying. I'm afraid my doubt is causing God to turn away from my prayer.
In a way today's verse comforts me. Even Paul asked for prayer that would ask God to "open a door for [his] message" and that his message should be proclaimed clearly. I pray for the same thing.
Your doubt will not cause God to turn away from your prayers. Tell Him your doubts; He wants to hear from you. You are His, which means you are already holy and blameless in His sight. It is not possible for Him to love you any more or less tomorrow than today.
This can be so hard to remember, especially when we FEEL disconnected, but we have to practice replacing what we feel with what we know to be true. He is with us, He loves us, and He cares about our prayers. Ask Him to turn your doubts into faith; you don't have to do it on your own.
Hey Christine,
I have felt the same way at many, many times in my life. I noticed that in those times, I alone didn't feel as connected to God as I had in times where I really spent time in the word and talking to Him. The more I seek Him, the more I feel his presence in my life.
Have you ever tried just talking to him and waiting quietly for an answer from Him? My pastor suggested this last week and I was in awe of the idea. How often do we just talk and talk to Him and not wait for an answer in the silence?
God will answer you. You will feel Him!
And I pray for the very same thing: courage to proclaim it clearly, always!
Thanks for your comment!
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I really needed this…"persevere in prayer". No matter how tired, nervous, discouraged I may be, if I just trust in prayer, I know everything will be okay!
I LOVED how Paul also said, "Be watchful AND thankful" (emphasis mine). 2 very things I need to work on. Keeping my guard up to keep Satan out AND making sure I'm not just praying my requests to God , but thanking HIm for what He's doing :)
Loved the comments. I know I need to work more on devoting myself to prayer. i also know I find it hard to share Christ with others, to proclaim what I believe in the midst of adversity or when I know it could cause conflict. so I pray for the same thing.
Hi ladies, i’m new to this group, and have been doing this on my Android phone, but I can not find the devotional. Can anyone direct me on how to get to the one we’re reading? Whats the name of it?
Here ya go! http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/55-prayer…
Welcome!
Christine, you not alone in your doubt. I think we all struggle with doubt to a certain point. These last couple of years, doubt has plagued me in many ways. But remember, God is faithful and will see you through each moment of doubt and uncertainty. Like several other ladies have said, tell God about your doubts. He wants you to come to Him in every situation. Even the ones where you fear or are uncertain. Please know, you will be in my prayers. That God may reveal Himself to you, even in the midst of doubt.
I had to chuckle a little bit at Paul and the translation I'm using (Common English Bible): "Pray that I might be able to make it as clear as I ought to when I preach." As I'm writing and praying about my sermon on Sunday, that is ALWAYS my prayer. Rarely am I as clear as I ought to be so that is a good reminder of what to keep in the forefront.
I loved today's verse!
Devoting yourself to prayer is hard enough, let alone being watchful and thankful, as much as we should. I know it is a struggle of mine. Life gets in the way and praying becomes a quick few lines before I hit the pillow at night. Or I spend time throughout the day talking to Him in worry or asking things of Him, but not thanking Him or sitting with Him.
How often to I sit, alone, watchful and thankful and really spend time with Him and Him alone….sadly, not as much as He deserves.
I always want my door to be open for others to see God though me, but to be the best I can, I need to not only live by example and let others see Him in my actions, but be ready to carry whatever message He delivers to me in those quiet, watchful times.
Thank you all for sharing throughout this project! I learn so much about myself by reading your thoughts and words!
Jenny
I consider myself a new follower in Christ because although my family went to church occasionally when I was very young, God did not play a big part in my life growing up. I find myself struggling with doubt and I'm trying my hardest to solidify my faith.
I'm in awe of Paul and his devotion to Christ. I often find myself praying for God to grant me the words to comfort someone or to glorify him, but my doubt keeps me from saying anything. Sometimes I feel like I'm missing a connection with God all together, even though I'm praying. I'm afraid my doubt is causing God to turn away from my prayer.
In a way today's verse comforts me. Even Paul asked for prayer that would ask God to "open a door for [his] message" and that his message should be proclaimed clearly. I pray for the same thing.
Your doubt will not cause God to turn away from your prayers. Tell Him your doubts; He wants to hear from you. You are His, which means you are already holy and blameless in His sight. It is not possible for Him to love you any more or less tomorrow than today.
This can be so hard to remember, especially when we FEEL disconnected, but we have to practice replacing what we feel with what we know to be true. He is with us, He loves us, and He cares about our prayers. Ask Him to turn your doubts into faith; you don't have to do it on your own.
Hey Christine,
I have felt the same way at many, many times in my life. I noticed that in those times, I alone didn't feel as connected to God as I had in times where I really spent time in the word and talking to Him. The more I seek Him, the more I feel his presence in my life.
Have you ever tried just talking to him and waiting quietly for an answer from Him? My pastor suggested this last week and I was in awe of the idea. How often do we just talk and talk to Him and not wait for an answer in the silence?
God will answer you. You will feel Him!
And I pray for the very same thing: courage to proclaim it clearly, always!
Thanks for your comment!
Jenny
Are you struggling with doubt or conviction?
Both. My doubt hinders my conviction.