Called To Love

We all have been conditioned to instant results. We need and answer we Google it. If we are hungry, we drive through and get it, or we find a fast microwaveable meal. We need to reach someone we text them. All resulting in immediate responses. Because of how society has us wired, we have regulated prayer in the same way. I pray, God answers, its done. I have grown to recognize that God is intentional in His word.  " Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. " James 5:16  " Rejoice always,    pray without ceasing,    in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Understanding that God answers prayers when He is most glorified leads me to believe that there is a lot going on that we cannot see. There is a lot of spiritual activity associated with our prayers. I can imagine...

Just like most African American Christians, I went to see "War Room", not once but twice. Each time I watched it, God revealed something new. I pondered for a while on how I could develop a prayer strategy for my family, friends, and loved ones. Being that I have such a large family and limited space in my home, a prayer closet is not an easy place to find. Being creative, I found a quite corner early in the morning to go to battle. I'm an avid journal writer, so my notes and prayers are stored there. I have found that taking that time, being specific in prayers, and just trusting God, in the last 48 hours, I have seen God work in miraculous ways. Additionally, one of my sons who is away at college has shared with me that he has repurposed part of His dorm room to be His War Room. Take the time time pray specifically and earnestly about those people God places on your heart... And watch Him work it out.

What is Prayer We must first understand that Prayer is communicating with God. Many of our prayers are delivered with no more consideration that an order placed at a drive through window. Communication is a two way informational stream. After we have have given God praise, Confessed our sins, Thanked Him for all He's done and placed before Him our problems, we must learn to find that quite place in our spirit that will allow us to hear from God. Trust God's Timing After we pray, we must trust God's timing. The best explanation that I've heard in regards to Gods timing in answering our prayers was," He will answer prayers when He is most glorified". Pray Without Ceasing  Praying continuously for most seems like an unattainable task as we go about our daily routine. I have come to realize that our staying connected to the Holy Spirit throughout the day is how we are able to pray without ceasing. Therefore our conversations with others must incorporate o...

Be mindful that the storm you are claiming to be in is not self-made. Sometimes in our urgency to get things done quicker and on our terms, we mess up what God's intentions were and create our own storm, our own disconnect. I'm often guilty of this. I consider myself a problem solver and with that I have a tendency of out running the holy spirit and taking a detour or making the wrong turn (Disconnecting). Slow down and listen to God's marching orders, His directions, His Spirit... then when we find ourselves in battle, up against the wall, or in difficult times, our defense attorney who knows all and sees all is right there to guide you through whatever you are dealing with.