A Praying Life- Chapters 9-10

(A few friends and I are reading this book together.  Each week we will read two chapters and on Friday I will post my comments from the reading.  Others may add their thoughts in the comments section.  If you are interested in reading this book as well, here is the link for the Kindle version of the book.)

Chapters 9-10
- "If Satan can't stop you from praying, then he will try to rob the fruit of praying by dulling your soul."  (Pg. 77, Loc. 955)  This reminded me that the physical act of praying isn't enough.  I can be physically praying, yet it not be the type of interaction that my Father is wanting to have.  I must give attention to the inward and the outward.

- I liked his perspective that the praying life "engages evil."  (Pg. 79, Loc. 983)  Praying isn't being passive and overlooking something, it is choosing to fight against it in the most powerful way possible.

- I personally struggle to know how be optimistic without being naively optimistic.  When am I to believe that God can work and continue to pray like the widow speaking to the unjust judge?  How do I still believe God can and continue to trust even if he doesn't answer the way I'm praying?  When is it time to stop being optimistic and to stop praying like the Apostle Paul and the thorn in the flesh?  I agree with his words against naive optimism, but I struggle to see how to apply it all in the details.

- "As you grasp what the Father's heart is like, how he loves to give, then prayer will begin to feel completely natural to you."  (Pg. 85, Loc. 1071)  This quote challenged me to continue to seek God's Word, so that I'll know His heart, which will then encourage rather than discourage me to pray.

- "Instead of critiquing others' stories, watch the story our Father is weaving."  (Pg. 86, Loc. 1089)  This theme is often mentioned in the Chronicles of Narnia.  When someone wants to know about another, Aslan reminds him that it is not for him to know.  I find it so easy to question "Why ....?" when I look at others' situations and compare with mine.  This reminded me to realize God is creating a unique story for each individual, and that my undue attention on others' stories will result in failing to see my story.

- I often struggle with the way preachers explain how we are to "in everything give thanks."  I appreciated the author's words: "Thankfulness isn't a matter of forcing yourself to see the happy side of life.  That would be like returning to naive optimism.  Thanking God restores the natural order of our dependence on God.  It enables us to see life as it really is."  (Pg. 89, Loc. 1142)

I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapters 7-8

Discussion on Chapters 11-12

A Praying Life- Chapters 7-8

(A few friends and I are reading this book together.  Each week we will read two chapters and on Friday I will post my comments from the reading.  Others may add their thoughts in the comments section.  If you are interested in reading this book as well, here is the link for the Kindle version of the book.)

Chapters 7-8
- I don't think I've ever heard anyone propose that we call out to God in one word or one phrase prayers, but I appreciated his explanation.  He likened it to a child calling, "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy." (Pg. 63, Loc. 279)  I was reminded of my need in moments of need to not necessarily seek the answer or the right words to pray, but to just unreservedly seek my Savior. 

- I was glad for this clarification as well: "This is the exact opposite of Eastern mysticism, which is a psychospiritual technique that disengages from relationship and escapes pain by dulling self.   Eastern mystics are trying to empty their minds and become one with the nonpersonal 'all.'  But as Christians we realize we can't cure ourselves, so we cry out to our Father, our primary relationship."  (Pg. 65, Loc 832) A reminder that these repetitions are repeated expressions of dependency on our Father.

- He showed me that it is not that I need to discipline myself in order to have a continuous prayer life, I just need to truly see myself as needy, unable to do what needs to be done and dependent on my Father.  (Pg. 66, Loc. 841)

- I liked how he worded it when talking about his inward reaction when reaching for the phone: "I just lean in the direction of God."  (Pg. 69, Loc. 894) It challenged me to identify my areas of difficulty and to follow his lead and lean in the direction of my God in those moments.

- One last quote that stood out to me: "What does an unused prayer link look like? Anxiety."  (Pg. 70, Loc. 903)

I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapters 5-6
Discussion on Chapters 9-10

A Praying Life- Chapters 5-6

(A few friends and I are reading this book together.  Each week we will read two chapters and on Friday I will post my comments from the reading.  Others may add their thoughts in the comments section.  If you are interested in reading this book as well, here is the link for the Kindle version of the book.)

Chapters 5-6
- David has been preaching through the book of John, so Jesus' frequent references to His unity with the Father are something I've been reminded of recently.  I believe the author takes it a step further: "Jesus defines himself only in relationship with his heavenly Father." (Pg. 45, Loc. 572)  If the Messiah, the Savior did that, how much more should I?  This was a good challenge for me.

- He believes that "Jesus goes on to encourage us to pray in the privacy of our rooms so our out-loud praying doesn't become a verbal show." (Pg. 48, Loc. 617)  I don't think I've ever heard the idea of out-loud praying explained as a reason why Jesus commanded to go into the inner room.  I do see how praying out loud helps keep from "getting lost in your mind" as I think he describes it.

- "Don't set impossible goals and then collapse."  (Pg. 49, Loc. 643)  "Start with a small goal that you can attain rather than something heroic." (Pg. 50, Loc. 652)  I have had to learn this in other areas of life.  I can think of specific failures where I tried to do too much all at once (ex: when out of shape, deciding I'd ride the exercise bike for 15 minutes and keep the speed above 15 mph the entire time).  Instead, I've learned to first establish a habit, then once it is established, try to further develop it.   

- Following up with the previous thought, I will make a specific time commitment regarding prayer for each day until next Friday, and I'll keep myself accountable by writing about it in next week's post.

- "We look at the inadequacy of our praying and give up, thinking something is wrong with us.  God looks at the adequacy of his Son and delights in our sloppy, meandering prayers." (Pg. 55, Loc. 711)  With this I realized that when I think my praying is inadequate, I am concentrating more on me than on my Father, with whom I'm supposed to be speaking.  Said otherwise: in those instances I'm actually trusting me (my prayers) rather than trusting God.

- Dependency was the theme of chapter 6 but was also mentioned in chapter 5.  I think my favorite quote was: "If we think we can do life on our own, we will not take prayer seriously.  Our failure to pray will always feel like something else - a lack of discipline or too many obligations.  But when something is important to us, we make room for it." (Pg. 59, Loc. 760)  I needed the reminder that when I am remembering that I need God in order to live my life, then I will pray.  It will be important enough to me to fit it in, even if that means pushing other things out. 

- I struggle to know how dependency then merges with accomplishing the tasks we have to do.  He stated, "In other words, I didn't feel helpless.  I knew what to do."  (Pg. 53, Loc. 675)  After reading that, my natural reaction is to begin questioning everything I do.  For example: am I truly feeling helpless to write this blog post?  If I'm not, is that sin?  After reading these chapters, I know I need to be more dependent, but I wonder to what extent.  Maybe another way to say what I'm thinking is: when is it time to stop praying (being dependent) and to begin doing ______, believing that God will work?  If praying is expressing dependence, then can't taking steps express faith?  (I welcome input- but I'm not expecting you guys to solve this for me.  I'm just trying to express a question that came up in my mind when thinking through the content.) 

I've had my say- what say you?

Discussion on Chapters 3-4

Discussion on Chapters 7-8

Hughes News #65

"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,

We now have a pulpit for our meeting place!  Early in January David sketched out a design and later picked up the necessary lumber.  One day we constructed it (and a white board stand) and another day sanded both items.  David then applied the stain and lacquer and we are now using it.

This past month I designed a sign for our church.  I should be able to pick up the vinyl banner this Wednesday.  We will hang it on the outside wall of our rental.  There is much the sign can’t do, but it can help people find where we meet as well as make our ministry’s presence known to the many people who go by the building.

We have had two English classes so far.  The first week nine individuals showed up, and the next- twenty!  Nearly everyone who has come is a beginner, making it easier for the lessons to benefit the majority.  We are discussing how to help those who are more advanced.  Since we don’t want to simply influence their intellectual lives, would you take a moment now to pray for opportunities to spiritually influence them for our Savior?

In about a month and a half a friend who is also endorsed by All Points will be joining our team in Soroca.  (Here is a link with her information.)  For now, we ask prayer for Sarah as she makes final preparations, and for our team here as we seek to help her through the transition.

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes

For Prayer:

1. ESL ministry- both class itself and the souls who come

2. The lost to be saved and believers to be encouraged

3. Wisdom to balance ministry and long-term housing plans

For Praise:

1. A pulpit and (coming soon) a sign at our meeting place

2. Good attendance at first two English classes

3. People met when looking at housing options for Sarah