Prayer: The Gate

Father God, I pray  today for people to overcome.  Let there be light and guidance and blessings for all your children.  Let us all, regardless of the hardships we bear or burdens we carry or stuff we fell into, look and act like your children.  We are made in your image, we are worthy.  Let us find the joy in each day.  Amen

 It was a lovely sunrise and this is how it looked from my front door. 

Muslim people all over the world right now are carefully watching the sunrise and sunset.  It is Ramadan.  They will be able to have breakfast before sunrise and then fast until sunset.  They will pray 5 times each day.  Ramadan started on August 21st  this year and will end September 19th. 

A trend I see is people trying things for 30 days.  There have been several blog posts where people have documented eating raw food, or vegan, or giving up coffee or beer for 30 days. People have eaten “mindfully” for 30 days or exercised.  Many of us do want to improve and develop our lives to the fullest.

So back to Ramadan. What would my life be like if I prayed 5 times a day for 30 days while fasting from sunrise to sunset?  It might be good to try, even for a day or 2 (just dip my toe in the water).  I believe it would make a person feel quite close to God.  It might be a worthwhile undertaking.

I overheard several conversations yesterday while at the grocery store.  A couple of young men (one with a wife and new baby) were talking about needing jobs as they had been out of work for a while.  I also have 4 friends trying to sell houses and properties. 

I would like for us all to pray for people to find great jobs with wonderful pay.  Also let’s pray for property to sell at the asking price. 

Father God, we ask for your rich and wonderful blessings for people everywhere.  Let those who need work, find it.  Let property be released and sold at asking price.  We thank you for answered prayer.  We thank you for hearing us, caring for all of us, and for guiding and directing us.  Amen

 

 These adorable Canadian Geese goslings were going for a swim with their parents .  Do you remember being advised to swim or hike with a buddy?  It is friendlier with two, A.A. Milne wrote.  It is good to have someone to encourage us. 

I had read that geese honk at each other as the group comes in to land on a lake.  The theory is that they are cheering each other on.  We may never know for sure, but the idea is great.

We become quick to criticize each other.  There are  jobs that pay to criticize, and I have heard people appoint themselves at the perfect person to critique a project.  So who wants to be the cheerleader.  Is it a harder job?  I derive much more satisfaction in encouragement than criticism. 

Let us pray for each other, encourage each other, bring out the best in each other.  Swim with a buddy.  The world will be a more friendly place.

Great news!  I have created a study guide for Prayer: The Gate.

It is a seven week guide and each week you can explore a different type of prayer.  There are thoughts and questions to explore and exercises included. 

This is a non-denominational, or inter-denominational guide to prayer.  It deals with your personal and individual theology (your relationship with God).

The best news is the guide is FREE.  Check out the pages on the right side of this page and you will see the FREE 7 Week Study Guide page.  Select the page and there is a PDF file you may open, download and print for use with your small group, adult education, youth groups, individual, or general group studies.

I am passionate about prayer and continuing each day to develop my relationship with God.  I am glad you stopped by this website and I hope you will utilize the free study guide and explore prayer over several weeks. Be blessed, be God’s.  Erin

There is always a moment connection when you sneeze in public and a complete stranger says “Bless You”.  I like it, so much in fact, I think we should send blessings to each other all the time.

Lots of thought and debate are given to Karma.  If I am angry with someone and express it, does hot coffee get spilled in my lap later?  I don’t know about Karma. 

I believe what goes around, comes back around.  I also know for sure that giving a blessing to someone is a wonderful gift. I do believe there is much suffering in the world.  Cursing and hatred have never mended or made anything better so far.

Forgiving each other, praying for each other, blessing each other.  Now that removes the power of misery and suffering. It may still exist, but you can get a reprieve from it.  Walk in love and be generous with blessings today.