Fervent in Prayer
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for
another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much."
It's interesting how God brings into our lives what we need to learn the most. My word for 2014 is fervent. As I have been reading up on this word and it's connection to my relationship with the Lord and in living out my life, I'm learning that, even though I tend to have a lot of positive energy and am emotional, by nature, being fervent in prayer has been a struggle for me.
I have a lot to learn about prayer...
I've always found it easier to go to the Lord throughout the course of the day, saying small prayers for myself and for others. Sometimes my prayers are requests, while other times they are prayers of thanksgiving and praise. There's nothing wrong with praying that way, (in fact, we are instructed to pray continually...1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
But the thing about it, as I'm recognizing, is that my unplanned prayers are often less fervent, and somtimes even a bit hurried. When I put thought, time, and energy into praying to the Lord, there is definitely more invested from me.
I'm praying that throughout this year, and my life, God guides me to be more fervent in prayer!!
A superb desciption of "fervent prayer"
"...not any prayer of a righteous man is of avail, but that which is
"effectual, fervent"; that has power, and energy, and life in it; which
is with the Spirit, and with the understanding, with the heart, even
with a true heart, and in faith; and which is put up with fervency, and
not in a cold, lukewarm, lifeless, formal, and customary way: in the original text; and the Vulgate Latin version renders it,
"daily"; that prayer which is constant and continual, and without
ceasing..." (source)
It's interesting how God brings into our lives what we need to learn the most. My word for 2014 is fervent. As I have been reading up on this word and it's connection to my relationship with the Lord and in living out my life, I'm learning that, even though I tend to have a lot of positive energy and am emotional, by nature, being fervent in prayer has been a struggle for me.
I have a lot to learn about prayer...
I've always found it easier to go to the Lord throughout the course of the day, saying small prayers for myself and for others. Sometimes my prayers are requests, while other times they are prayers of thanksgiving and praise. There's nothing wrong with praying that way, (in fact, we are instructed to pray continually...1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
But the thing about it, as I'm recognizing, is that my unplanned prayers are often less fervent, and somtimes even a bit hurried. When I put thought, time, and energy into praying to the Lord, there is definitely more invested from me.
I'm praying that throughout this year, and my life, God guides me to be more fervent in prayer!!
It has been several weeks since I last posted from my gratitude list. I have no excuse, except that I have have recently taken a new position at work, gotten a new puppy, and had gotten involved in 2 new Bible studies. Needless to say, I have been blessed beyond measure, but also come home tired every evening!
Continuing to give thanks, listing the many gifts from the Lord!
Linking over at "Multitude on Mondays".
~Grateful for the small joys that have come into my days:
1,579 - Laughing so hard with my friend, that I cried tears of joy!
1,580 - Enjoying my new puppy's playful antics.
1,581 - Enjoying the taste of warm brownies, straight from the oven!
~Grateful for things that have strengthened my faith:
1,582 - Learning that fervent prayer is much more than..."having or displaying a passionate intensity." (source)
1,583 - Meeting other believers and getting deeper into the Word, through attending the 2 Bible studies.
1,584 - Seeking a closer relationship with the Lord, to give me a more fervent heart for Him alone!
~Grateful for my family:
1,585 - The heartache of not staying connected with some family members I love, yet I'm drawn to reconnect with them by phone/emails.
1,586 - A positive opportunity to reconnect with a friend of my son's, who is reading a good book about having a Christian worldview and looking for someone to read it with...suggesting he get ahold of my son.
1,587 - My hubby, who was willing to go out in -18 degree weather to snowblow the driveway!!
Continuing to give thanks, listing the many gifts from the Lord!
Linking over at "Multitude on Mondays".
~Grateful for the small joys that have come into my days:
1,579 - Laughing so hard with my friend, that I cried tears of joy!
1,580 - Enjoying my new puppy's playful antics.
1,581 - Enjoying the taste of warm brownies, straight from the oven!
~Grateful for things that have strengthened my faith:
1,582 - Learning that fervent prayer is much more than..."having or displaying a passionate intensity." (source)
1,583 - Meeting other believers and getting deeper into the Word, through attending the 2 Bible studies.
1,584 - Seeking a closer relationship with the Lord, to give me a more fervent heart for Him alone!
~Grateful for my family:
1,585 - The heartache of not staying connected with some family members I love, yet I'm drawn to reconnect with them by phone/emails.
1,586 - A positive opportunity to reconnect with a friend of my son's, who is reading a good book about having a Christian worldview and looking for someone to read it with...suggesting he get ahold of my son.
1,587 - My hubby, who was willing to go out in -18 degree weather to snowblow the driveway!!
1,588 - Fairly easy transition into the new responsibilities I have.
1,589 - A caring, forgiving, and understanding boss, who called out of concern, when I got my schedule mixed up the first full week at work and showed up late.
1,590 - Being able to discuss heart issues and pray with my co-workers.
~Thankful for the blessings seen in nature:
1,593 - Icicles, forming long, clear frozen beams in front of my window.
Also linking over to these blog hops:
Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday
Sunday Stillness (He Cares For You)
Weekend Brew (My Freshly Brewed Life)
Soli Deo Gloria Party (Finding Heaven)
Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip)
Titus2sdays (Time-Warp Wife)
UNITE (Rich Faith Rising)
Winsome Wednesday(My Daily Walk in His Grace)
Watchful Wednesdays (He Cares For You)
Word-Filled Wednesday (Woman to Woman)
Tell Me a True Story Blog Hop
Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday
Sunday Stillness (He Cares For You)
Weekend Brew (My Freshly Brewed Life)
Soli Deo Gloria Party (Finding Heaven)
Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip)
Titus2sdays (Time-Warp Wife)
UNITE (Rich Faith Rising)
Winsome Wednesday(My Daily Walk in His Grace)
Watchful Wednesdays (He Cares For You)
Word-Filled Wednesday (Woman to Woman)
Tell Me a True Story Blog Hop
I'm excited because this morning the Bible study that I attend is starting up again after a break over Christmas! We are going to be doing a study on prayer this time! I, like you, pray all throughout the day and I have times when I pray more formally. But, I'm so looking forward to learning more.
ReplyDeleteI loved your winter pictures above, especially the last one - hey! Where's the lake? lol So glad the transition into your new job is going well and your sweet puppy is adding smiles to your home!
Blessings, Joan
What great timing, Joan! I'm also looking forward to time spent in fervent prayer! Yep, the lake is totally covered in ice and snow...in fact there have been snowmobile-rs and ATV s all over the lake every day. I think it's frozen enough to go out there, but I still am not very comfortable doing it! :( Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI don't blame you...I'd be nervous to walk on a frozen lake, too! well, maybe for a little excitement I'd walk along the edge, only a few inches from shore! Enjoy your weekend!
DeleteHello, A new puppy and two Bible studies and work! You are very busy!! Loved seen the pictures of the snow!
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to see all you things you are thankful for!!
Blessings, Roxy
Yes, busy is a good word to describe me lately!! :) Thanks for stopping by, Roxy!
DeleteFervant is an excellent word for 2014. It is the fervant prayers that get answers. Thanks for sharing with us here at "Tell Me a Story."
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm discovering how appropriate it is for me at this time!! And I know that I don't always get exactly the answer for what I pray about, but He does answer in His way and His timing! Thanks for hosting your link-up!
DeleteI just LOVE the photos. Such a blessing to share around and about. Thanks much!
ReplyDelete