Even the Smallest of Prayers

The other night I sent a friend of mine a message that I would pray something for her family on Facebook. As I typed this out, I said a quick prayer. I had intentions to sit down and meet with God at a less crazy time that evening, one where I could truly focus. Sadly that did not happen. My prayer was forgotten and the night ended.

The next day I received a note from my friend that my prayer had been answered.

I am not proud to say, but I was pleasantly shocked!

Why is it that I was shocked? I should not be shocked. God answers all prayers, even the smallest of them.

This has been a humbling lesson from God. A lesson on what childlike faith should look like. I believe because God said He would answer.

Walking on Your Own Faith

You would be amazed at how long you can walk on borrowed faith, on how long I have walked on borrowed faith. It's like when you are gaining weight, and all the sudden, one day your pants don't fit. Your not sure when or how it happened but one day, BAM! You wake up and realize you've fallen so far.
Sure, you listen to Christian radio, and read Christian magazines (or blogs), you have Christian friends. It's all great, but whose faith are you standing on?
I'm sure there is an exact moment where you stop listening directly to God and His Word and begin listening to people and what they say about His Word, but who can say where that is? Now I'm not saying that listening to others is bad, its the stop listening to God part that's worrisome.
So you wake up one day and find this, then what? I've had grand plans before..."I'm going to read my bible everyday!" I am good at that for a week, two, maybe even three. So then what. I'll be honest here, I have no golden answer. Here's what I am going to do though.
1) Ask God to give me a passion for His Word.
2) Set my alarm (blackberry) to remind me everyday.
I'm starting small. We'll see where this goes. If I can master these two things then I'll add another.

Following God Through Feelings

 

Most of the time when I am following God, it is because it started as a small feeling, deep in my heart.

For as long as I can remember…I have always heard not to follow your feelings. Feelings can be swayed…a fickle heart and all that.

Each time, this lingers at the back of my mind. Every time I think that God is showing me something, I worry about this. I am tired of this. I am tired of feeling like God wouldn’t or couldn’t show me things through my feelings. I am tired of feeling like my feelings are evil, or I am not a good enough Christian because I listen to them.

Who are these people that say this? Why are they doing this to people like me? Do they genuinely believe that God would give us these feelings and then not use them for His good? (This last one is a recent revelation one to me). And lastly, do they realize that they are limiting God this way?

So, I’m here to buck the trend and listen to my feelings!! I know! It’s crazy.

That said, I think there are a few rules to this.

1. You must know that God uses everything at His disposal to help guide, teach and use us.

2. You must listen to God in more ways than one. Communication is key.

3. Is what you are feeling biblical? Does it go against God?

Then what?

Here’s where more listening and some faith comes in.

Pray about it…and take a step in that direction…then pray about it again, and listen.

God will direct you from there. And if you need to, keep taking steps, until you are sure.

God is a great God. God can use your feelings. Don’t be afraid of listening to them.