Prayer, Purpose, and Getting Paid: Reflections on Work (2)

-
What if part of the "work" I am called to do is pray? 
Why is it hard to find time to pray for my work?
Will prayer make a difference in the work I do?

These are questions that have been rumbling around in my head recently.

I do believe that prayer is part of the work I am called to do and I am to pray for my work as well as many other things.  But then, if I am convinced of this, why is it so difficult to actually getting down to it?  Even right now, it is "easier" to type this blog than to stop and pray.  What is the resistance?
Maybe it is a lack of faith or a lack of hope that my prayers will make a difference.  Maybe it is because it feels like hard work to pray.  I'm not sure.

And maybe I'll never get it figured out.  The more important thing is to obey than to get insight into why I am not obeying.  So, to get me going on prayer, I thought I'd look up some Scripture, ask myself a few questions, and just do it.  Please feel free to join me!

- Encouragement to Pray

Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,

What is something I am anxious about?  What do I want to ask God for?  Ask and give thanks.

- A Blessing to Pray

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)
24 “‘“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace

Who is someone I know who needs blessing?  Pray this blessing for them.

- A Prayer for Provision

Matthew 6:11
Give us this day our daily bread

Who do I know in need of food? money? work?  Ask God to provide their needs.

Thanks for listening in as I process prayer and the need to do it in connection with my work. 
in Christ,
Tracy




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lord, Don't You Care?

-
This summer I had the joy of leading the Bible Discovery time at a VBS in Selkirk.  We did the Group Curriculum and the theme was " Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus ".  Everyday was a particular theme that went like this, "When I (some emotion or situation we find ourselves in)..... Jesus rescues!" Tuesday's theme was "When I worry, Jesus rescues!"  Now, I've had my battles with worry so I was interested in seeing what Gospel story would be told on this day.  It was Luke 10:38-42 - the story of Martha and Mary when Martha invites Jesus over for a meal.  The focus is on Martha's worry and Jesus' teaching that " only one thing is needed " which is to attend to Jesus.  What caught my attention is the power of worry and the impact it had on Martha's relationship with Jesus.  Specifically, worry caused Martha to 1) question Jesus' heart toward her and 2) tell Jesus (who is God) what to do.  Yikes!!! Let's look at Martha...
Read more

Christmas Eve Sermon

-
Merry Christmas Everyone! As I was preparing for my Christmas Eve Children's Sermon for this year, I found the one from last year.  I really enjoyed thinking about the importance of shepherds in God's revelation of Himself to us so I thought I would post the sermon.  Remember: it is a children's sermon!   Here we are: it is Christmas Eve... the time we celebrate the greatest gift from God – Jesus our Saviour!  Now on such a special evening we could talk about so many interesting and wonderful things: We could talk about Mary: and how this young woman became the mother of God’s Son We could talk about Joseph: who took a very pregnant Mary to Bethlehem to be counted with his family We could talk about the angel: who appeared in the night sky proclaiming “good news of great joy for all people.” But... they are not going to be our focus today – as important as they are all. This Christmas Eve, I want to talk about some very ordinary people. Men who were just livin...
Read more

Third Week of Advent: Winter Joy

-
“How am I ever going to do that?” I asked myself in the fall when we started our 6 am Winnipeg Free Press paper route. I was thinking about the future – the dark, cold, windy winter mornings ahead – and wondering how I would be able to handle the paper route then. Since I am a person who loves warmth, sleep, and daylight, I just couldn't imagine it. So this last Saturday morning when the thermometer read -30º C and I was joyfully trudging along on the route, I remembered that question and asked myself another one, “How am I doing this?” Three things came to mind: By God's grace : When I go to bed at night I usual think I won't be eager to get up in the morning but when I'm awaken by my alarm, I get out of bed quite easily for me. It never ceases to surprise me since I was not a morning person. How do I explain this? It is a gracious gift of God. Nothing I deserve. It is a specific, practical way that God is blessing me in this season of my life. By God'...
Read more