Well, here we are. The final day of the challenge. The final day of a journey that I can't end. It's feel like I have reached a destination, but know this isn't where I am going. There is still alot of road ahead of me.
No dramatic ending here. The skies didn't erupt in light, no special prize at the end. 30 days. I hope you have enjoyed the challenge and engaged in it. Even if you just read through my thoughts, I hope God used them to bless or to challenge.
what have I learned? I want intimacy with God. I don't want to settle in this journey and miss out on what could have been. I want to discover more and more of what it is to follow Jesus. And I believe prayer is an important part of that journey.
I feel more in tune with the Spirit when I am taking the time to find that silence and solitude and live in continual prayer. Continual trust. To say we can do this without prayer is to say we can operate independent of God in our spiritual life. I am just not convinced that is possible.
What have you learned from this challenge? why not share with others your experience of these past 30 days?
Enjoyed the journey. Enjoyed the conversation. Who is in for another 30?
Keith
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Day 29
My Sunday prayer today is one of gratefulness to God. Seeing God at work this Sunday in the lives of individuals who just respond to God's leading. There is something powerful about conviction. Watching someone wrestle with it, accept it, and then accept the grace that comes along with it. It's beautiful. That progression usually takes place in prayer. Today I want to share some thoughts on those moments in my life. Didn't necessarily happen for me on this Sunday, but seeing it in someone else reminds me of where I have come from and what grace has done in my life.
Sin. None of us like talking about it with many other people, but I am sure you have had a few conversations with God about it. Don't we all usually start by saying, "forgive me?"
When my prayer life is flowing well and I am in a good rhythm there are times where the reality of conviction becomes very clear. How can it not? The more I engage with the Creator of the Universe, the pure and holy God, my sinfulness is brought to the surface because in those moments my will doesn't look like the Jesus I love. So when I would pray about sin and failure, I would always start by asking for forgiveness. Don't know that I always believe it in those moments. In my humanness, I still doubt. Why would God forgive me? I am afraid I will do the same sin again. Is my heart genuine or am I just going through the religious motions that I learned or invented over the years? I would beat myself up pretty good.
But then I began to really understand grace. That grace is now woven into my times of prayer. When I come to God confessing sin, I still seek forgiveness, but I already know I am forgiven. But, my heart is contrite and I need to verbalize to God and to my own soul, that I repent. Repent meaning I turn my back on that sin and desire to not do it again. I want to be obedient in the grace that I now have because I love Jesus. So in my devotion to Him, I want to stand back up , dust off, and start walking again, desiring that the sin doesn't make me stumble again. I have had to learn to live in grace and walk in God's love and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
I also believe that the more I pray the more I am in tune with the spirit and then in the midst of temptation, the power of the spirit is there and not so quiet.
Conviction. Not a bad thing to me. I used to fear it and dread it, now I welcome it. God loves me and is changing who I am. He is at work helping me die out to self and leave sin behind. Conviction is grace in action.
How do you respond to conviction?
Keith
Sin. None of us like talking about it with many other people, but I am sure you have had a few conversations with God about it. Don't we all usually start by saying, "forgive me?"
When my prayer life is flowing well and I am in a good rhythm there are times where the reality of conviction becomes very clear. How can it not? The more I engage with the Creator of the Universe, the pure and holy God, my sinfulness is brought to the surface because in those moments my will doesn't look like the Jesus I love. So when I would pray about sin and failure, I would always start by asking for forgiveness. Don't know that I always believe it in those moments. In my humanness, I still doubt. Why would God forgive me? I am afraid I will do the same sin again. Is my heart genuine or am I just going through the religious motions that I learned or invented over the years? I would beat myself up pretty good.
But then I began to really understand grace. That grace is now woven into my times of prayer. When I come to God confessing sin, I still seek forgiveness, but I already know I am forgiven. But, my heart is contrite and I need to verbalize to God and to my own soul, that I repent. Repent meaning I turn my back on that sin and desire to not do it again. I want to be obedient in the grace that I now have because I love Jesus. So in my devotion to Him, I want to stand back up , dust off, and start walking again, desiring that the sin doesn't make me stumble again. I have had to learn to live in grace and walk in God's love and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
I also believe that the more I pray the more I am in tune with the spirit and then in the midst of temptation, the power of the spirit is there and not so quiet.
Conviction. Not a bad thing to me. I used to fear it and dread it, now I welcome it. God loves me and is changing who I am. He is at work helping me die out to self and leave sin behind. Conviction is grace in action.
How do you respond to conviction?
Keith
Day 28
Saturdays are always interesting. I can't help but pray for the upcoming time together with other believers and those investigating who God is. So I pray for God's presence in the details, the moments, the prayers, the music, the teaching, the classes, the relationships. I ask God to intervene in the lives of people who are struggling in their faith and want to celebrate with those who have seen the work of God in their lives this past week.
Praying about what you speak on is crucial I believe. I was told as a volunteer with Youth For Christ many years ago that before you talk to someone about Jesus, make sure you talk to Jesus about that person. Before I speak from God's word, I want to make sure that I have spent time in God's presence and allowed Him to tweak my thoughts, notes, and heart before I let the words come out of my lips.
Not everyone will get up and give a sermon on a Sunday morning, but all of us can preach. We can preach with our lives and in our conversations. We can communicate the love of God in our everyday lives. We don't have to rely on the preacher to the be the one who introduces our family and friends to Jesus. We trust the Holy Spirit to use all of us as this beautiful message of God's love is shared with many.
Okay, now I am going to pray for you and for me. That we will be instruments of grace and authentic faith lived out before others. That we would have the opportunity to have conversations this week with those who need Jesus and that we would be sensitive to the Spirit's leading on what to say and how to say it.
Grace and peace,
Keith
Praying about what you speak on is crucial I believe. I was told as a volunteer with Youth For Christ many years ago that before you talk to someone about Jesus, make sure you talk to Jesus about that person. Before I speak from God's word, I want to make sure that I have spent time in God's presence and allowed Him to tweak my thoughts, notes, and heart before I let the words come out of my lips.
Not everyone will get up and give a sermon on a Sunday morning, but all of us can preach. We can preach with our lives and in our conversations. We can communicate the love of God in our everyday lives. We don't have to rely on the preacher to the be the one who introduces our family and friends to Jesus. We trust the Holy Spirit to use all of us as this beautiful message of God's love is shared with many.
Okay, now I am going to pray for you and for me. That we will be instruments of grace and authentic faith lived out before others. That we would have the opportunity to have conversations this week with those who need Jesus and that we would be sensitive to the Spirit's leading on what to say and how to say it.
Grace and peace,
Keith
Monday, August 20, 2012
Day 26
I have some catching up to do. As much as daily prayer may be a challenge, posting about it can be as well, but it is great accountability! So, here we go with my notes from Friday.
Good day. Lots going on, plenty of distraction, but good day of prayer.
A more personal prayer time for me. And by personal, I mean elements of conviction, seeking clarity, and wrestling with some aspects of my own spiritual journey that I know God is working change in my life. Change is definitely a process some times. I've experienced those moments of God doing something instantaneous in me, but more than not it is the process that seems to be the dominant method of helping me die to self and learning to trust.
I started my prayer today focused on so many different people and things. prayer request, friends in the hospitals, the church, family...and God took me to a place of self examination. A place of raw honesty at where I am at with Jesus. Not that there is a grading scale or some ribbon for success, but for me it is redefining success. What used to be my measuring stick is long gone. Now, it is much more simplistic. Am I loving God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength? Am i loving my neighbor as myself? am I living out loving one another? Do I let complacency creep in or do I keep striving to let God transform me and seeking that out?
A prayer time that strips away the layers of my soul. Sometimes painful, but I always leave renewed.
Keith
Good day. Lots going on, plenty of distraction, but good day of prayer.
A more personal prayer time for me. And by personal, I mean elements of conviction, seeking clarity, and wrestling with some aspects of my own spiritual journey that I know God is working change in my life. Change is definitely a process some times. I've experienced those moments of God doing something instantaneous in me, but more than not it is the process that seems to be the dominant method of helping me die to self and learning to trust.
I started my prayer today focused on so many different people and things. prayer request, friends in the hospitals, the church, family...and God took me to a place of self examination. A place of raw honesty at where I am at with Jesus. Not that there is a grading scale or some ribbon for success, but for me it is redefining success. What used to be my measuring stick is long gone. Now, it is much more simplistic. Am I loving God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength? Am i loving my neighbor as myself? am I living out loving one another? Do I let complacency creep in or do I keep striving to let God transform me and seeking that out?
A prayer time that strips away the layers of my soul. Sometimes painful, but I always leave renewed.
Keith
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Day 25
Today was a day of switching things up a bit in prayer. I knew my schedule wasn't going to be normal, and so I wanted to take advantage of that. So, I was intentional about two different prayer times today. First, I went for a 20 mile bike ride in the morning. Plenty of time to talk with God and listen. Then that night I had a meeting in Marion, so I made sure that the radio didn't come on and embraced the silence.
What did I learn? I can really lay it all out there in prayer as I ride. No one around, so it is a very out loud verbal prayer as I don't forget to check for traffic around me. My prayers in my ride were centered on prayer request from the church, prayers for family and friends, and just humbling acknowledging who I am sharing these thoughts with. It was good, it was real, I liked that time of connection with God. Listening was good as well. I felt like God was giving me some direction in my heart and mind as I shared with Him my heart for a great church I get to be a part of.
The evening ride was a good time as well. Do you ever find yourself singing in the midst of your prayers? I'm not saying it sounds pretty, but the car is a great place for me to make a joyful noise as I just worship God in song and prayer. My prayers at night were definitely more of God working on me. Alot of listening. When I listen I find myself asking God to give me clarity on my thoughts that I believe the Holy Spirit is speaking into my mind. I tend to want to match up the thought with scripture and make sure it isn't just me creating the thoughts. So as I trust Him in leading me, I in my humanness will still ask questions and wrestle with thoughts to make sure it is from God and not myself. part of that journey of dying out to self and not settling with where I am right now, but wanting to continue to be shaped and continuing to grow.
How about you? What unique prayer times of silence and solitude have worked for you? Leave a comment below and let us know.
Keith
What did I learn? I can really lay it all out there in prayer as I ride. No one around, so it is a very out loud verbal prayer as I don't forget to check for traffic around me. My prayers in my ride were centered on prayer request from the church, prayers for family and friends, and just humbling acknowledging who I am sharing these thoughts with. It was good, it was real, I liked that time of connection with God. Listening was good as well. I felt like God was giving me some direction in my heart and mind as I shared with Him my heart for a great church I get to be a part of.
The evening ride was a good time as well. Do you ever find yourself singing in the midst of your prayers? I'm not saying it sounds pretty, but the car is a great place for me to make a joyful noise as I just worship God in song and prayer. My prayers at night were definitely more of God working on me. Alot of listening. When I listen I find myself asking God to give me clarity on my thoughts that I believe the Holy Spirit is speaking into my mind. I tend to want to match up the thought with scripture and make sure it isn't just me creating the thoughts. So as I trust Him in leading me, I in my humanness will still ask questions and wrestle with thoughts to make sure it is from God and not myself. part of that journey of dying out to self and not settling with where I am right now, but wanting to continue to be shaped and continuing to grow.
How about you? What unique prayer times of silence and solitude have worked for you? Leave a comment below and let us know.
Keith
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Day 24
Sometimes we need to be reminded of the power of prayer. We like to see that unfold in our own lives, but do we slow down enough to look at how God is using our prayer in someone else's life? Ever wonder if that prayer you promised to pray for a friend matters? Struggle with why God would bring a person to mind and have you pray for them? Have those odd moments when you are praying for someone you don't even know, but are doing it because someone asked you to?
Well, today our guest writer will give you a glimpse into what it is like to be the recipient of all those prayers. I shared with you earlier in this journey about some dear friends of mine, Cory and Tiffany. Their little girl, Ashlyn, became part of our prayer experience as many of you prayed for this child you didn't even know. Here are Tiffany's thoughts on prayer through these last few weeks.
“God, how can you let this happen again?!” “Why are you doing this to us?!” “What have I done wrong, that You are punishing my family for?” These are some of the things that kept running through my mind as we were traveling to Indianapolis. I was angry, questioning, in disbelief.
1 Chronicles 16:11- Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
Well, today our guest writer will give you a glimpse into what it is like to be the recipient of all those prayers. I shared with you earlier in this journey about some dear friends of mine, Cory and Tiffany. Their little girl, Ashlyn, became part of our prayer experience as many of you prayed for this child you didn't even know. Here are Tiffany's thoughts on prayer through these last few weeks.
See things were just getting back to “normal” around here
since Cory’s diagnosis with a malignant brain tumor. I was seeing some issues
with my little 4 year old daughter that was scaring me, same issues that I had
seen her dad have before he was diagnosed. I was praying and praying to God,
“Please!!!! Please just let this be nothing, an ear infection or something of
that nature.” I was concerned so I asked my small group to lift her up in
prayer as well.
Well, July 25th I had requested her doctor order her a
CAT scan I was praying, but sure God would not let this happen to our family
again! Then we get that call to come in and see the doctor, from there it’s a
blur.“God, how can you let this happen again?!” “Why are you doing this to us?!” “What have I done wrong, that You are punishing my family for?” These are some of the things that kept running through my mind as we were traveling to Indianapolis. I was angry, questioning, in disbelief.
The power of prayer is amazing, when I just couldn’t pray
there were MANY and I mean many, probably 100’s lifting up my baby girl in
prayer. People gathered around altars during her surgery, people were fasting,
people couldn’t sleep the night before her surgery and just prayed and prayed!!!
Something changed inside me; I could sense God’s work….. I could feel Him
working. Everything went smoothly, perfectly if you will. He never left my baby
girl and held her in His arms from the very beginning. She had major swelling
and lots of fluid buildup in her brain, yet NO symptoms other than headaches.
Her tumor was attached to 5 major nerves – swallowing, breathing, speaking were
just a few to name…. yet they just “popped” off during surgery. Her tumor,
which looked very much like her dad’s, was not cancer!!!! We had the BEST
neurosurgeon there. She is healing wonderfully! I found myself then praising
God for healing her, for showing us all a miracle because that is what I am
sure it is. I was thanking Him for allowing us to go through, because now I
know He wants to use us for His ministry somehow/ someway.
Also, what is amazing is a family that I met through
Facebook whose 3 year old son is fighting against brain cancer. Well we ended
up being a Riley’s the exact same length of time in the same units!! They
believe in Christ, but are not active in their faith. We (I and the other mom)
believe that the Lord placed me there for her because they received terrible
news and we were able to shine God’s light into their lives. There was a nurse
who Ashlyn had that told us before she even met Ashlyn she prayed for her!! God
was working in so many ways, that I didn’t even notice.
Even in your darkest of days, the times when you are questioning God I have found to rest in the arms of those who are lifting you up in prayer. It was all those prayer warriors that helped turned my attitude around, who calmed me, who gave me peace. It was those prayer warriors who the Lord heard and answered their request!
Even in your darkest of days, the times when you are questioning God I have found to rest in the arms of those who are lifting you up in prayer. It was all those prayer warriors that helped turned my attitude around, who calmed me, who gave me peace. It was those prayer warriors who the Lord heard and answered their request!
1 Chronicles 16:11- Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
Psalms 4:1- Hear me when I call, O God of my
righteousness: you have enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy on me,
and hear my prayer.
Psalms 145:18- The LORD is near to all them that call on
him, to all that call on him in truth.
1 Thessalonians 5:17- Pray without ceasing.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Day 23
This day turned into a time of evening prayer. Not typical for me, but was a good change of pace. Prayer combined with scripture reading can be a very moving time as well. Studying through 2 John, 3 John, and Jude make you ask yourself some tough questions. And in the midst of those questions, I get to ask God some questions as well.
I have also been realizing on this journey that the more I pray, the less likely I am to let the flesh/self dictate my prayers. I still am more than comfortable being very raw in my prayer, but I am talking about things like being cynical, selfishness, or asking God to fix someone else instead of me. Do you know what I mean? I ask God to bless those who may frustrate me. I ask God to do amazing things in the lives of everyone I encounter. I really believe in prayer I continue to learn to live out this idea of dying out to self and picking up my cross and following Him. Prayer not only is a time of being in His presence, but also seems to be a call to action on my part. Don't just pray it, but live it. That is what I want to do.
God, keep breaking me. Shatter my will and reshape it to fit yours. I don't want to do any of this journey solely relying on my own ability. I want to live life depending on and partnering with the Holy Spirit.
Keith
I have also been realizing on this journey that the more I pray, the less likely I am to let the flesh/self dictate my prayers. I still am more than comfortable being very raw in my prayer, but I am talking about things like being cynical, selfishness, or asking God to fix someone else instead of me. Do you know what I mean? I ask God to bless those who may frustrate me. I ask God to do amazing things in the lives of everyone I encounter. I really believe in prayer I continue to learn to live out this idea of dying out to self and picking up my cross and following Him. Prayer not only is a time of being in His presence, but also seems to be a call to action on my part. Don't just pray it, but live it. That is what I want to do.
God, keep breaking me. Shatter my will and reshape it to fit yours. I don't want to do any of this journey solely relying on my own ability. I want to live life depending on and partnering with the Holy Spirit.
Keith
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