WEEK 34: PRAYER by GUEST BLOGGER ANN KIEFFER
Today’s guest blogger is prayer warrior Ann Kieffer. Ann was active in prayer at First Baptist Church Atlanta, the Atlanta Passion Play, and now at Church of the Apostles. She has prayed for many and has taught many to pray. She would often pray for total strangers who came to her estate sales for over forty years in her business, Exclusively 10 to 4. Ann is considering writing a book about prayer to share with even more people her ministry of prayer.
I read an article from TBN in which a lady mentioned “chatting with God.” This brought to my mind the subject of prayer.
How personal is God to you when praying? Personal enough to …
Chat with? Walk with? Laugh with? Be silent with? Listen to? Sing to?
Or is your fellowshipping with Jesus not so personal, but mainly …
Asking forgiveness? Quoting Scriptures? Giving praise? Doing most of the talking?
Do you take the time to …
Sit with Jesus? Be silent? Let Him speak?
Do you ever laugh or is your conversation only serious? Do you ever sing to Him even if you no longer can carry a tune? Do you simply “chat?” Do you share your secret feelings? Do you tell Him a secret He already knows? Do you give Jesus time for you two to walk in silence? Do you feel you are here but the Lord is “way out there?” Remember, “He is a friend that is closer than a brother?”
Could there be a day Jesus wants someone to be with, and that someone is you? Do you meet out of duty or performance? Out of a need you may have? Out of a question to be answered? Or because of your relationship- a child and a Father? Two best friends- YOU! Whom He died for!!
“If you seek me you will find me.”
Do you seek Him? What do you say when you find Him? Do you approach Him formally? Or do you run into His outstretched arms?
You know God, you know Jesus, but do you know the Holy Spirit? Do you know He has a sense of humor? Do you know He loves to laugh? Do you know He loves to hear about Your day? (Although He already knows all about it!) Do you know He wants to hear any serious concerns you have? Do you go to the Trinity only when you have a serious problem?
Do you know He loves to just chat, as the lady said?
Do you know He loves to hear you say, “Father, do you know what happened to me today? Let me tell you.” Of course, He knows- He orchestrated it, but He desires to hear about it from your mouth, your words, your heart, your experience! After all, His Word says, “Put me to remembrance.” It’s kind of like giving a child a gift. You know what it is; the thrill is seeing the child’s excitement when opening it. God knows each gift given to you. It may be a gift of pain or sorrow or sickness. All God’s gifts are not ones we want to open. But all bring us more into His image…
To bring Him the glory. To fellowship in His sufferings. To reflect His character in us.
Therefore, remember, prayer is not a formula, a list, a certain way. No! Prayer is a conversation between two lovers! Our Creator created us to love and fellowship with Him.
You and I can enable this amazing oneness to take place if we take the time to be still and know He is God, God who desires to…
Walk with you. Talk with you. Listen to you. Love you. Laugh with you. And at times, “chat” with you on this journey called life .
BONUS BLOG FROM ANN BELOW
Father, thank you for…
Allowing me to come to you
Blessing, me when I come to you
Comforting me
Delighting in me as your child
Enlightening me with your Word
Fighting for me against satan
Glorifying yourself in your Word
Holding me in prayer
Inviting me to pray
Judging me not!
Knowing you, just as I am
Loving me just as I am
Molding me in Your Image@
Near to me through the Holy Spirit
Oneness with me
Performing trough me (perfecting me)
Quiet within my soul
Resting in you- you in me
Studying your Word
Teaching me
Upholding me
Victory in Jesus
Winning with thee
X-ray in me – You know me inside
Yearning for you- through prayer and your Word
Zeal for you, Jesus!