~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NOTES FROM THE VALLEY - August 5, 2001 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me." Psalm 23. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TOPIC: THE GIFT OF PRAYER - PART 1 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:6-7 Tomorrow will be my last day of work for a company I've been with for seven years. Financial difficulties have forced the owner to cut her staff back to the bare bones in the hopes of surviving. She, and those who have been laid off with me are hurting right now. It seemed appropriate that this week's edition focus on prayer. In the midst of these difficult times, it's good to remember that God blesses our lives in ways far too numerous to count. But I'm convinced that one of the greatest of those blessings is our prayer relationship with Him. When everything around us is in turmoil; when nothing seems to make sense, when we have no idea what to do or where to go next; we can always go to Him through prayer. My "prayer life" has undergone a significant change. For the longest time I thought prayer was something I had to do on my knees, in a quiet place, and only when I needed something from God. Which usually meant it didn't happen very often or for very long. But, a few years ago, the Holy Spirit began to use events in my life to open my eyes and my heart to the real purpose of prayer and the very real need for me to make some changes in my prayer habits. I love our kids dearly. I always thought the things I provided for them demonstrated how much I loved them. But I'm afraid I never did a very good job of actually putting those feelings into words. Cathy, on the other hand, did a great job. The children found comfort and self-confidence from the love she showed them so openly. Oh, I'm certain they've always known I love them. But there are times when children need more than "things." When the world beats them down or has them confused and hurt, they need a caring parent to give them a nurturing hug and some reassuring words. In our household, those needs were always met by Mom. One night, when I was in prayer about something that was troubling me, God used the opportunity to open my eyes about my relationship with Him and how much it was like my relationship with my children. Despite the love I felt for Him, my actions didn't demonstrate that love. With stark clarity He took the pain in my heart over my lack of intimacy with my children and multiplied it many times over to demonstrate the pain He felt over my lack of intimacy with Him. He showed me how much He wants me to come to Him at any time, just because I want to be with Him. Showed me how much He wants my prayers to be more than just a list of my needs. He wants it to be a conversation between Father and son about my hopes and dreams, my gratitude for His blessings, my praise for His grace, the ups of life that bring me joy, the downs that bring me sorrow, the people I love and those who love me back - everything. Including my needs. He wants to hear about it all and He wants to be involved in it all. That's why He gave us an open line of communications to Him - anytime and anywhere - called prayer. Driving in the car, taking a walk, sitting at my desk, mowing the yard, visiting a friend or playfully wrestling with Cathy. Kneeling, sitting, standing, walking, running. In any situation, He's there for all of us. Right now, my coworkers of so many years are feeling a deep sense of loss. I'm sure our boss is feeling it too. Like children, we need a loving parent to hold us, comfort us, and reassure us that everything is going to be alright. God's message to them and you this week is simple: His arms are open wide waiting to receive us. All we have to do is come to Him through His precious gift of prayer. I remain your brother in Christ, sheltered under His wings and overwhelmed by His love, Steve Hall TEACH ME LORD TO PRAY (Received from HeartStrings - Author Virginia Ellis) Please teach me, Lord . . . I want to know Exactly how to pray. I need some words . . . Which ones are right? Please tell me what to say. I've bowed my head I have knelt down, But ... should I be upright? I've closed my eyes, I've raised my hands, Or ... should I fold them tight? Do I stand up? Should I sit down? Dear Lord ... what do you like? Are lights turned on Or are they off? Maybe ... candle light? Wear my glasses? Take them off? Be at my desk or table? Should I whisper? Speak out loud? Do I quote the Bible? What do you think About the time? Do You prefer the dawn? Should I pray fast, Or keep it slow? Better short ... or long? I'm new at this What are the rules? I want to do it right. How do I know You'll even hear That I am in Your sight? And while I sat there quietly, Waiting for some sign, I heard a gentle voice say, "Oh, dearest child of mine ... Do you think I really care About the time of day, Or whether you are standing up, Or kneeling when you pray?" "I don't care about your posture, Or about the place you choose; Just open up your soul to me, I have no other rules. Tell me what is in your heart, And tell me what you seek; Tell me of your sorrows, And of those things that made you weak." "Speak to me in private About what concerns you most; I know about your good deeds ... You have no need to boast. My child, you don't need lessons, Just talk to me each day; Tell me anything you want, dear child, Anyone can pray." THE LORD'S PRAYER (Received through A_Worthwhile_Life - Author Unknown) I cannot pray "OUR," if my faith has no room for others and their need. I cannot pray "FATHER," if I do not demonstrate this relationship to God in my daily living. I cannot pray "WHO ART IN HEAVEN," if all of my interests and pursuits are in earthly things. I cannot pray "HALLOWED BE THY NAME," if I am not striving for God's help to be holy. I cannot pray "THY KINGDOM COME," if I am unwilling to accept God's rule in my life. I cannot pray "THY WILL BE DONE," if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life. I cannot pray "IN EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN," unless I am truly ready to give myself to God's service here and now. I cannot pray "GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD," without expending honest effort for it or if I would withhold from my neighbor the bread I receive. I cannot pray "FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US," if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone. I cannot pray "LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION," if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted. I cannot pray "DELIVER US FROM EVIL," if I am not prepared to fight with my life and my prayer. I cannot pray "THINE IS THE KINGDOM," if I am unwilling to obey the King. I cannot pray "THINE IS THE POWER AND THE GLORY," if I am seeking power for myself and my own glory first. I cannot pray 'FOREVER AND EVER," if I am too anxious about each day's affairs. I cannot pray "AMEN," unless I honestly say "Not MY will, but THY will be done." ________________________________________________ Copyright © 1998-2001 by Stephen J. Hall - Weekly letters of encouragement to Christians written by Stephen J. Hall unless otherwise indicated. Notes from the Valley and Humor from the Valley are meant to brighten your day and encourage you along the way. Most of "Notes" and "Humor" are a collection of items provided to me by subscribers and friends. Credit is given to both the contributor and to the true author, where known. If you are blessed by them, please feel free to make copies and pass them along to others. If you have something you'd like to contribute to a future edition or would like to ask us a question or make a comment, please contact us at: sossteve@... ________________________________________________ Your love, God, is my song, and I'll sing it! I'm forever telling everyone how faithful you are. I'll never quit telling the story of your love - how you built the cosmos and guaranteed everything in it. Your love has always been our lives foundation, your fidelity has been the roof over our world. (Psalm 89:1-3 The Message)