Monday, August 17, 2009

PRAYERS UNHINDERED

I went to a life-transforming conference this past weekend and wanted to journal something that revived my heart and my walk with the Lord. The mini-sermon was based upon the following verse:

Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

The speaker asked us to consider why some of our prayers go unanswered. (Of course there are other "conditions"... praying in accordance with God's will, not willfully sinning etc.) But, she highlighted praying and walking with the Lord in total agreement- with our hearts - with our souls - with our minds - with our strength. In other words when we pray and obey are our hearts (our motivations, our desires) with God? Are our words with God? Are our minds with God? Are our efforts with God? Are we 100% for the Lord?

When I answered these questions for myself I could see where I have let my relationship with the Lord slide. I have become complacent. My nightime routine had become to put the kids down, watch something, stuff my face, go to bed. (BTW- I don't condemn television; it had just become my 'outlet'.) I asked myself more questions.

Am I hungering for God? Is my heart in my prayers? Are my actions and words undergirding my prayers? Sometimes yes. Other times no. This conference gave me the kick to get back to pursuing God even when quiet times feel dry, even when He seems distant... even when life is very challenging. Yes, I will love the Lord God in agreement- with my soul, my mind, my strength. My heart is stirred once more to know Him and to love Him completely!

God bless you friends today... with more and more of Him.

6 comments:

  1. This is some powerful stuff, Sis! And some questions I need to address myself. God put that same scripture verse on my heart today. Guess it's time to make time. Thanks for sharing. Blessings, SusanD

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  2. We all go through times like this and we need the jump start you received this weekend. Blessings, andrea

    PS: Thanks for being the person GOD created you to be!

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  3. Laurie,

    Isn't it funny how that just happens. One minute we look up and wonder just how did we wind up here??

    I too have been doing much of the same soul searching. It's like driving somewhere you've been hundreds of times, and then you just realize your there, with no recollection of where the time went and I don't remember driving here.

    Thanks for the insight and the eye opener.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  4. Wow - how encouraging. I too can be guilty of "vegging out" instead of seeking God with my whole heart. Thanks for the motivation!

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  5. Thanks for such encouraging words Laurie. It is good to get a wake up call every now and then!
    Love Collette xxx

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