prayer life |

What are you doing for Lent?

Posted on February 6, 2013 by 4Seasons2013

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” James 4:8 (NRSV).

Do you desire a deeper prayer life? Why not dedicate Lent 2013 to trying a new spiritual discipline: prayer journaling? I have been keeping a prayer journal for more than 10 years.

If I could choose the most important differences in my life since I began keeping a journal each morning, it would be the following:

A peace like no other. When my world and the world around me is in turmoil, I know where my peace comes from.
The knowledge of who I am and whose I am. I spent most of my life living up to other people’s expectations. Now, I live for Him.
Contentment with who I am and what I have. Many of us live our lives in discontent and seek things outside of God to satisfy that longing that can only be filled in a relationship with Him. Material possessions will never satisfy.

For a limited time, until February 28, purchase a copy of “Journaling with Jesus: How to Draw Closer to God,” and the companion workbook, “The 40-Day Challenge,” for only $23, which includes postage. Contact me at carolaround@yahoo.com to find out how to get your copies.

For more information about my book, check out http://journalingwithjesus.com/about-the-book/ and read more about the benefits of prayer journaling by checking the archives to the right.

“If a journal answers one question, it is
‘What is God doing in my life?’”
–Jan Johnson, author of
Enjoying the Presence of God

Posted in Faith, Journaling, Prayer, Spiritual transformation | Tagged Christ, christian journal, communication, communication with God, faith, God, god prayers, how can i know god, how can i speak to god, how do i speak to god, how to pray to god, how to talk to god, Jesus, journal, joy, lent, lent 2013, lent ideas, prayer, prayer how to, prayer journal, prayer life, prayer to god, prayers to god, season of lent, the bible god, the lenten season, the season of lent, what prayer does | Leave a comment

Have You Taken the Challenge?

Posted on August 6, 2012 by 4Seasons2013

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you”–James 4:8 (NKJV).

Are you as close to God as you want to be? Do you struggle with your prayer life? Do you ever wonder if God really hears your prayers? Do you ever doubt that God loves you?

If so, you are not alone. Even the great heroes of the Bible, like King David, struggled with insecurities. Many examples are found in His Word of people who poured out their pain, grief, confusion, anger, bitterness, depression, and sorrow to God. You are not the first to wrestle with your faith, nor will you be the last.

Lamentations 5:19 says, “You, O Lord, remain forever; your throne from generation to generation…Turn us back to you, O Lord, and we will be restored; renew our days as of old.”

Prayer is not complicated. We make it that way. If after hearing an impressively spoken prayer by another you feel inadequate, join the crowd. Not everyone is gifted orally. However, your private prayers are between you and your heavenly Father and have nothing to do with word choice. It is about the heart connection you have with Him and your willingness to be open and honest with your Abba Father. Abba is the Aramaic word for father, used by Jesus and Paul to address God in a manner of personal intimacy.

In Prayer, A Heavenly Invitation, Max Lucado says, “Prayer is a window that God has placed in the walls of our world. Leave it shut and the world is a cold, dark house. Throw back the curtains and see His light. Open the window and hear His voice. Open the window of prayer and invoke the presence of God into your world.”

Do you want more of God in your life? I hope you will join others as they take The 4o-Day Challenge. Click on the menu above and download your free ebook to get started. If you do take the challenge, please let me know by contacting me at carolaround@yahoo.com.

Posted in Faith, Journaling, Prayer, Relationships | Tagged 40 day challenge, a prayer, abba, Abba Father, Bible, christian prayers, communication, david in the bible, devotional life, devotions, faith, God, god words, God's love, gods grace, gods will, Hope, how to pray, how to pray to god, how to pray to jesus, Jesus, jesus prayer, King David, lamentations, love god, love of god, Max Lucado, names of God, power of prayer, prayer, prayer journal, prayer life, prayers to jesus, quiet time, the power of prayer, the word of God, who was king david, word of god, words of god | Leave a comment

What does prayer mean to you?

Posted on May 8, 2012 by 4Seasons2013

“This, then, is how you should pray:“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’” Matthew 6:8-10 (NIV)

When they asked how, Jesus taught his disciples to pray. The Lord’s Prayer, found in Matthew 6:8-14, reveals our Savior’s heart. What does prayer mean to you? Do you think it’s a mysterious practice reserved for the religiously devout?

Prayer is simply a conversation with your Abba Father. Minister and author, Josh McDowell, has this to say about prayer: “Prayer is talking with God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart.”

For some, even Christians, prayer has become an afterthought, done only while sitting in a church pew, at the dinner table or beside a child’s bed before sleep. Sometimes, prayer is offered as a wish of one’s heartfelt desire with expectations of God answering like a genie inside a magic lamp.

If you’re seeking an intimate, powerful transformation in your relationship with God, then your prayer life must be more than asking for things. Praying is not just setting aside a special time to spend with Him; it is an ongoing conversation with Him throughout your busy day. While you are at work, eating, conversing with others, waiting for appointments or on the run from one place to another, you can be in prayer. Thank Him continually for the blessings in your life, even the difficult times. They help you to grow closer to Him.

However, starting the day with Him is vital for your spiritual growth. When I sit down with my Bible and prayer journal each morning, I am consciously choosing to give Him the first part of my day. It’s the same principle as tithing. Giving Him the first fruits of your day reveals your priorities.

Prayer is a time to remind yourself that everything you are, and everything you have, comes through the power, grace and mercy of the one true God. Communion through prayer allows a deeper connection between His Word, His Holy Spirit and yourself, allowing seeds of faith to be firmly planted within your being.

How does a conversation with God begin? Get quiet. Seek a special place where you can open your mind, soul and spirit to what He has to say to you, both in that still, small voice, and within the pages of your Bible. Seeking Him requires you to listen more than you speak. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Remember what Josh McDowell said, “God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart.”

It’s about your heart connection to the One who loves you more than life itself. We must remember that it’s not about you and it’s not about me. It’s about God and His will. Then, you will realize that your prayers will touch the heart of the One for whom nothing is impossible.

Posted in Journaling, Prayer | Tagged attitude, Bible, Blessings, choices, church, church pew, communication, conversation, conversation with God, devotional life, devotions, faith, first fruits, genie, God, God's love, grace, heart, heart connection, His Word, Holy Spirit, Hope, Jesus, Josh McDowell, love, magic lamp, Matthew 6:8-10, pew, prayer, prayer journal, prayer life, quiet, quiet time, Savior, The Lord's Prayer, tithing, transformation | 1 Comment