Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts

Friday, August 20, 2010

90 Minutes In Heaven, Book Review

Don Piper was pronounced dead on impact, his body left under the mangled metal of his Escort while the rest of the accident was being cleaned up around him.  Dave Onerecker, a passerby, made the unusual decision to pray for this dead man and his injuries.  90 minutes later, Don returned to life only to face hell on earth.

The series of miracles that take place after his revival leave little doubt that Piper's time on earth was not yet finished.  Through his miraculous and painful recovery, Piper shares his experience of grace and the power of prayer.  Oh, and did I mention the 90 minutes while his body lay dead, waiting for the jaws of life to extract him, that he spent in heaven?

90 Minutes in Heaven is a truly heart wrenching story designed to give hope to people facing serious injury, the loss of a loved one, or a struggle of faith. The acceptance of loss, prayer, purpose, and grace are all addressed in great detail from a man who learned the importance of each through insurmountable obstacles. Unfortunately, the book carried an extremely negative connotation. The author rarely invited us to celebrate in any of his triumphs with him which, for me, resulted in a reverse effect of what he may have intended. In the end his story left me feeling angry and confused, if not doubtful.  For the most part, even though Piper's story is sometimes difficult to read, his experiences provide a comforting message of God's greater plan.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Free Flow

Thanks for the suggestion, Brie =)  While this isn't the very FIRST thing I'm doing this morning, it is still early enough I may not make much sense.  Which, is all good.

My prayer this morning felt for the first time in a long time extremely heartfelt.  It's not that I don't mean what I pray, it's more that I don't know what I'm praying for.  Sure, I can go through the list of forgiveness, salvation, daily bread, etc.  and of course those things are important.  But, right about "kingdom come" my mind will take off in its own direction.  Eventually I will notice that my hands are still folded and, oh yeah!...  I was praying!

Today was different.  I am thankful for that.

My mission for the next, well... forever, is to stay grounded into the earth.  When looking back on my life until now I see that I let everything happen to me in a very un-invested sort of way.  I am very thankful for where I find myself today, but would very much like to be 100% present in this and every future moment I am given.  In 10 years I will look back and know that at age 34 I started living.

I am grounded...  and I see you.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Today I Pray

Dear God,

Through time spent alone with you I am rejuvenated and gain a new perspective.

Rest in Prayer

We are reminded again in Mark 1 how important it is for us to rest.  Jesus gives us another example of taking time alone after a long day on the job.  The very next morning, after driving out several demons and healing many diseased, Jesus "got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."

There have been so many instances in my past where I have tried to push my way through struggles and stresses.  I had an "I" mentality. I needed to work harder, or I needed to make changes.  In reality, the only thing that soothed my racing heart and mind was spending time alone in prayer and meditation.  There was nothing I could do alone.  With faith in God the possibilities are limitless.

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God."

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Today I Pray

God,  I pray, you listen.  Give me a thirst to pray often and fervently to you.

The Power of Prayer

Prayer does not come easy for me.  It doesn't feel natural and sometimes even seems unheard or unnecissary.  But, God commands us to pray!  So I pray anyway...

Thankfully, along with His command we are also given His promise in Luke 11:9, "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Even when it is uncomfortable for me to pray, I am reminded that there IS power in prayer.


A NOTE:  I have been wanting to practice praying more and praying with a purpose.  So often I start out my prayer with intention, then end in a sort of babble from subject to subject.  For this reason I decided to start a prayer journal on this blog.  Please feel free to post your prayer requests and join me in praying for those in need.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Today I Pray

God, I use your gift of my miracle body to love and serve others.

Matthew 25:40, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Today I Pray

God, I am filled with your spirit and the fruits of your presence within me overflow into my decisions, actions, and attitudes. 

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Today I Pray

God, My heart is filled with faith and I am willing to follow your lead.  Guide me to live out your truth so I may experience a whole new world of wonder to explore.

Matthew 17:20, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there" and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you."

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Today I Pray

God, I make time to sit quietly alone in order to nurture myself and my relationship with you.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Today I Pray

God, Your mercy enables me to release the judgement of myself and others in order to grow in peace on my life journey toward you.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Today I Pray

God, Through your spirit within me, I am free.  I experience growth toward you through this gift of freedom.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Today I Pray

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

"God, Thank you that you can be everywhere at once, watching over all Your creation, and still care about us and our families.  We are encouraged to run to you anytime, anywhere."

One Year Devotions for Moms
Written by: Ellen Banks Elwell

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Today I Pray

God, Enter my heart and fill it with Your treasure.  My heart is open and I am listening.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Today I Pray

God, Enfold me in your grace and love so I may see the perfection you have created in me.  I am an expression of divine love and life.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Today I Pray

"God, I have faith in myself because Your love reassures me and Your wisdom guides me. No task is too great or too small for me - not with Your power and wisdom to guide me."

Daily Word for Women
by Colleen Zuck, Janie Wright, and Elaine Meyer

Friday, July 16, 2010

Today I Pray

"God, I am eternally grateful that Your presence is a constant in my life. My faith in You infuses my life with meaning so that whatever I do each day is fulfilling."

Daily Word For Women
by Colleen Zuck, Janie Wright, and Elaine Meyer