Tuesday, June 14, 2016

A Praying Life: Chapters 31-32


(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 31-32
- "I'm actually managing my life through my daily prayer time."  (Pg. 256, Loc. 3258)  Often it is not his introducing an entirely new concept that stands out to me, but just a good choice of words.  I try to organize the tasks I have to do, but this was a reminder that time in prayer is the best way to manage the most important things in my life.
 
- "I'd prayed that my Father would show me what feeds a lack of faith in me."  (Pg. 258, Loc. 3281)  I noted this because I liked the idea of asking God to show me the same in my life.
 
- "As I pray, I'm dealing not with surface stuff, but with the state of my heart and of the people for whom I am praying."  (Pg. 260, Loc. 3300)  Too often so much of life is just about the surface things, but prayer allows me to dig deeper and look at the most truly meaningful aspects.
 
- "I'm not hunting for an experience with God; I'm inviting God into my life experience." (Pg. 260, Loc. 3300)  I find this important because I think a lot of people would say they are looking for an experience.  I want God in my life experience- to be part of all aspects of my life, and I see that I include Him when I pray about those areas of my life.
 
- "People are far too complicated; the world is far too evil; and my own heart is too off center to be able to love adequately without praying.  I need Jesus."  (Pg. 260, Loc. 3310)
 
- "We don't need a praying life because that is our duty.  That would wear thin quickly.  We need time to be with our Father every day because every day our hearts and the hearts of those around us are overgrown with weeds."  (Pg. 261, Loc 3319)  Just as I shower each day to get off that little bit (or a lot!) of grime from the previous day, I need that time with my Savior to clean up my heart and keep it focused on him.  May that daily attention keep the "weeds" from sending their roots deep into my heart.
 
I've had my say, what say you?


3 comments:

  1. “Prayer is where I do my best work as a husband, dad, worker, and friend” (pg.257). He made a very similar comment earlier in the book; just a good reminder that if I'm not praying, then it doesn't matter what else I'm doing - I'm failing in my responsibility as a husband, dad, etc.

    I agree that we don't need a praying life because it's our duty, although I would say it is a command & responsibility from Scripture that we must be faithful at. But I think his point is well taken – it goes far beyond duty to realizing our desperate need of God every moment of the day, and also the need for time with our Father because of those weeds from the world. I have very much appreciated his continual emphasis all throughout this book that we are so helpless against life and desperately need Jesus!

    “Each of us will die with unfinished stories. We can never forget that God is God. Ultimately it is His story, not ours” (pg.263). This to me was both a true and comforting quote. The secret things still belong unto the Lord (Deut.29:29), and God just wants me to trust Him. May we all do so even when it's hard.

    Really enjoyed the book! May God raise up a generation of faithful and fervent prayer warriors, and by the grace of God may we lead the way by our example!










    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete