Keep praying, keep forgiving
Have you ever rearranged your living room, and you’re holding something and you have no idea where to put it? You put it here, and pick it back up, try it there, pick it back up.
Or maybe a really good book, and you’re in those last 20 pages. It’s been such a great book, you don’t want it to end, so you read a paragraph, put it down, read a paragraph and put it down.
We sometimes do that with our prayers. We leave it in Gods hands, and we pick it back up. We keep laying it down at his feet, but we pick it right back up.
Sometimes, we just have to keep laying it back down at his feet, until we are able to fully let Him have it.
So keep praying, keep forgiving, and keep being self aware that you have picked it back up. One day, you’ll realize you left it there at the cross for good, and that anger and anxiety, and all those other feelings, have vanished.
Something else I’m learning, is the power in praying over our enemies. Not just praying to forgive them, but truly and deeply praying for them and their well being. Something inside us also transforms when we pray over our enemies, and it’s magical.
#stay with the high lord #gettingclosewiththelord #knowingthelord #Lemon8Diary #christian #bible #GirlTalk #prayer #prayerjournal #biblestudy
Sometimes, it feels like I'm constantly battling to truly let go and trust God, even after praying about something countless times. That feeling of 'picking it back up' resonated so deeply with me when I first heard it. It’s a journey, not a destination, to cultivate Christian perseverance, especially when life throws its toughest curveballs. Over time, I’ve found a few practical ways to truly keep my burdens at the cross, and I wanted to share them with you. First, creating a dedicated prayer time, even if it's just 10 minutes, has been a game-changer. For me, this often involves my prayer journal. It’s not just a place to write requests; it's where I pour out my heart, track answered prayers, and reflect on scriptures. It helps me see God’s faithfulness over time, which fuels my perseverance when I feel like giving up. I also keep my Holy Bible handy, often in my 'Bible Bag,' because immersing myself in God's Word is like spiritual nourishment. When I feel weak in faith, His promises remind me why I persevere. Reading about figures like Job or Paul, who faced immense suffering yet remained steadfast, gives me strength. What about specific prayers, like for healing or when you’re thinking of someone? I used to struggle with how to pray effectively for those who are sick or hurting. I've learned that 'healing get well prayer' isn't always about a miraculous physical cure, though God can certainly do that. Sometimes, it's about emotional healing, inner peace, or strength to endure treatment. When I pray for someone's healing, I try to pray for God’s will to be done, for comfort, for wisdom for doctors, and for their spirit to be strengthened. It’s about surrendering the outcome and trusting His perfect plan. And when I'm 'thinking of you and sending prayers' to a friend, I try to be specific. Instead of just "God bless them," I ask God to meet their specific needs, whether it's for guidance in a tough decision, comfort in grief, or joy in a celebration. Sometimes, simply telling them, "I'm praying for you and specifically for [their need]" can be a powerful act of love and support, reminding them they're not alone. I’ve received such messages myself, and they truly uplift your spirit in tough times. Finally, that piece about praying for our enemies, or those who have wronged us – it’s transformative. It's not easy, but when I choose to forgive and genuinely pray for their well-being, I find that the bitterness and anger within me start to dissolve. It’s a profound act of self-healing, freeing my own heart while also laying down any lingering resentment at the cross. This entire walk of faith, with its ups and downs, is about continuously learning to trust, to pray, and to release. And for me, that’s where true peace lies.