Hey, I know you...

[shopping_is_fun]

Hi ladies,
I know I am really streaky when it comes to coming online and my computer crashed so I borrow my daughter's laptop when I can.

Our church is having a special 3 week early morning prayer service from the last week of Dec leading into the first 2 weeks of the new year. One thing I desire is to pray more consistently so this has been a good thing.

I was praying one morning and going through the list of prayer requests in my head and I realized that I want to spend time with God not be just a requester to God. I just stopped praying and was still, thinking about God and just who He is. I had a flashback of earlier in the week when my husband saw us in the neighborhood and said to our 3 yr old "Hey, I know you" and she ran into his arms, she belonged there. I was wondering if God was showing me that, that "Hey, I know you" and He knows my name and I belong in His embrace.... I was happy to feel like I belong there in that quiet time, not like a presentor of a long list of things I need to bring up with God.

I don't know, how do you ladies keep the joy of our relationship with God real during prayer or quiet times? I want more of that.

[i.<3.cheesysmiles]

one thing that helps me is just to spend some time thanking God for all the blessings we have.

i am interested in hearing everyone's responses.

[luvinmykids]

one thing that helps me is just to spend some time thanking God for all the blessings we have.

i am interested in hearing everyone's responses.

I was going to say this same thing. There are sometimes that I will make it ONLY a thankful prayer. I love those cuz it really makes me realize the blessings He has given me in my life.

I am really interested to see what other's reponses are as well. I hope more people respond.

[luvinmykids]

Hi ladies,
I know I am really streaky when it comes to coming online and my computer crashed so I borrow my daughter's laptop when I can.

Our church is having a special 3 week early morning prayer service from the last week of Dec leading into the first 2 weeks of the new year. One thing I desire is to pray more consistently so this has been a good thing.

I was praying one morning and going through the list of prayer requests in my head and I realized that I want to spend time with God not be just a requester to God. I just stopped praying and was still, thinking about God and just who He is. I had a flashback of earlier in the week when my husband saw us in the neighborhood and said to our 3 yr old "Hey, I know you" and she ran into his arms, she belonged there. I was wondering if God was showing me that, that "Hey, I know you" and He knows my name and I belong in His embrace.... I was happy to feel like I belong there in that quiet time, not like a presentor of a long list of things I need to bring up with God.

I don't know, how do you ladies keep the joy of our relationship with God real during prayer or quiet times? I want more of that.

BTW...i love the bolded part. So sweet.

[KC's wifey]

I love that part, too.

One thing that I do sometimes, but not enough is to stop "talking" during my prayer and "listen". I stop and be still. Its those times that I feel God bringing things to my mind... like ways that He worked something out that I hadn't realized before, or a possible solution to a problem, or something else to be thankful for, etc. Prayer is supposed to be a two way conversation, but I forget that in practice a lot. I talk too much. (surprise, surprise. lol)

[luvinmykids]

I love that part, too.

One thing that I do sometimes, but not enough is to stop "talking" during my prayer and "listen". I stop and be still. Its those times that I feel God bringing things to my mind... like ways that He worked something out that I hadn't realized before, or a possible solution to a problem, or something else to be thankful for, etc. Prayer is supposed to be a two way conversation, but I forget that in practice a lot. I talk too much. (surprise, surprise. lol)

That is so true!! Leave it to us girls to just keep talking. I was always taught that after your prayer to sit in the quiet for a little while and let God talk to you. With 2 little one's running around, I know I need to be better about that for sure.

[hpfan04]

I love your post, Karen. A lot.

It really is so humbling when we think about our Heavenly Father and how he knows us and loves us. One of my humbling moments was when I was thinking about how much I love DS, and I just had an "aha!" moment and realized, "Holy cow! As much as I love DS, God loves ME that much!"

I often feel like a presenter with a long list of requests too. When I say my prayers tonight, I'm going to ponder my relationship with God and just listen.

[Consensus]

Some of my best time with God is in the car with the radio turned off. I have received some incredible clarity and revelations concerning life situations during those times, when my mind is alert and not wandering during the day. I find at night when my brain is tired my brain wanders more than I would like during prayer time, and early morning concerns often navigate back to "when is the coffee going to kick in" ( just kidding, I haven't done a lot of early morning prayer time, and am looking into a devotional to start to dedicate some time then too).

A little off-topic, but for the past couple days Mary and Martha have been on my mind; specifically the dinner scene. A reminder that it is better to get to know God than try to impress Him, and I've been pondering where my heart is; am I being too-task oriented in doing works, or am I being obedient to God in better managing my time so that I can better spend more quality time with Him, getting to know Him better, being a better steward of the resources that I have?

I recently finished "Hind's feet in High Places" and something the author did remarkably well was illustrate the joy I anticipate we will feel in His presence and the joy of following and serving Him. It really lit something inside of me that knowing that joy is something that I crave, but it also brought out the realization that it's not necessarily there all the time but it doesn't mean that it can't be there, and part of our journey is working towards knowing that complete joy, 100% of the time - not even necessarily just during prayer or quiet time. I think it's part of our life journey, and it makes me think of the faces of old people - you can so easily see who is full of joy. I hope I have lots of joyful wrinkles when I'm 80 Can you even imagine feeling that joy all the time? Feeling that joy in all your work and endeavors, in being obedient in following Him and treasuring every chance you get to follow Him and glorify Him? What a gift!

[luvinmykids]

Can you even imagine feeling that joy all the time? Feeling that joy in all your work and endeavors, in being obedient in following Him and treasuring every chance you get to follow Him and glorify Him? What a gift!

What a GREAT quote and such an eye opener. Thank you so much for posting this.

[shopping_is_fun]

I have been thinking about your posts ladies and I appreciate your thoughts. I haven't got any more answers but I know when I feel vulnerable I feel His strength more because I depend on Him and am just thankful for His presence.

I guess I want to be careful how I pray because I don't really want to be too vulnerable by suffering.

I had some relationship issues with DH that made me really seek God's counsel. Maybe I can share with you ladies soon (I value your advice and wisdom) but I feel a little uncomfortable about it being in a public forum.

Our 3 week early morning prayer conference is over now, but I still would like to be faithful in starting the day with my Maker.

[luvinmykids]

Our 3 week early morning prayer conference is over now, but I still would like to be faithful in starting the day with my Maker.

Every morning when I get to work, I go into the bathroom in one of the stalls and I start my work day with prayer and a scripture. (I also bring my bible). I have just started doing this over the last couple weeks and I cannot believe the difference it has made in my life. This morning on my way to work, I also turned off the radio and just rode in silence with the Savior. I think that is going to start being my morning routine.