January 7th One Year Bible Readings

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~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Genesis 16:1-18:15 ~ Matthew 6:1-24
Psalm 7:1-17 ~ Proverbs 2:1-5

Old Testament - Today in Genesis chapter 16 we get another potential Jesus sighting in the OT!  :)  (Similar to our "potential" with Melchizedek yesterday.)   I'll keep you posted on all our "potential" Jesus sightings in the Old Testament - as seen by some commentaries.  Some believe that the angel that appears to Hagar in the desert could be Christ pre-incarnate.  Why?  Because the angel seems to be speaking in the first person, as if the angel is God - (and Jesus is God) - but yet the angel is not described as God the Father.   Check out verse 10 on this point - "I will give you more descendants than you can count.""  Next point is that later in this chapter Hagar seems to be giving the angel a bit more credit of the angel "just being an angel", as you'll see here in verse 13: "Thereafter, Hagar referred to the LORD, who had spoken to her, as "the God who sees me," for she said, "I have seen the One who sees me!"" I guess I can see how some commentators go down this path...  Whaddya think?   Below is French painter James Tissot's watercolor "Hagar and the Angel in the Desert" from the year 1896:

In Genesis chapter 17 we read about the second Abrahamic Covenant!  This covenant was is a conditional divine pledge from God to be Abraham's God and the God of his descendents.  The condition?  Obedience and consecration to God as symbolized by circumcision.  In verse 23 I think we see another example of Abraham's prompt obedience to God's will for his life: "On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and every other male in his household and circumcised them, cutting off their foreskins, exactly as God had told him."  Abraham does not hesitate - does not wait one more day - he and every other male in his household get circumcised that very day!  Are we prompt with our obedience to God's will in our lives?  Or do we wait a day to move forward on what God is calling us to do?  Or do we even wait a week?  Or a year?  Or a lifetime?  What is God calling you to do?  Will you be promptly obedient?  Below is a stained glass image from England made in the year 1435 showing God giving this covenant to Abraham:

In Genesis 18 we see some amazing hospitality from Abraham to God and two angels that appear along with God.  Hospitality for strangers was important back in Abraham's day.  How are we with our hospitality toward strangers today?  Do we react as Abraham did toward these three?  Remember that Jesus says to us in the New Testament, "whatever you do to the least of these, you do unto me."  So, yes, maybe Abraham realized he was being hospitable toward God.  But - Jesus seems to infer we should be hospitable to everyone - particularly "the least of these" - for in doing so, we will be providing hospitality to Jesus.   Who in our world today are the "least of these"?  Are you being hospitable to strangers and to the least of these in your life today?  How?  Below is an oil painting by Spanish Baroque Era Painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo from the year 1667 titled "Abraham and the Three Angels":

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis titled "Grasping the Great Truth of God" is at this link, and "Marks of Maturity" is at this link.

New Testament - Our readings in Matthew chapter 6 today seem to be focusing quite a bit on the interior motives of why we do things - and to do things sometimes in secret, where only God will know what we are doing.  And by giving, praying, and fasting with pure interior motives and in secret, God will reward us!  I think there is so much truth in this...  I think when we give anonymously or pray for others quietly or fast privately, we are really worshipping God.  We are in essence saying, "God I am doing these things because of who You are, how great You are, and to let you know how much I love You.  I don't need to let anyone know about this act of worship between me and You.   You knowing is more than enough."    Now, I do think there are times for communal giving, praying and fasting - but I love that Jesus challenges us to make sure we find private ways to worship God and God only - and not to bring glory to ourselves by desiring public praise for our "religiosity"...

What a blessing to read the Lord's Prayer in today's readings!  I have to confess, I don't say this prayer very often... and Jesus seems to indicate pretty clearly that this is a good way to pray.  :)  I do pray often throughout the day - but usually it's pretty immediate stuff - bless this meal, thank you for this day, bless my time at work, etc. etc.  What a great thing it would be if I could remember to actually pray the Lord's Prayer a bit more...   I do think it is good to pray things beyond the Lord's Prayer - in fact, just take a look at the Psalms for some ranges of prayer. You might infer from verse 7 that we should stick only to the Lord's Prayer when praying: "When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again."  However - I read a commentary that this verse was admonishing against the polytheistic religions where people prayed to every single god's name they could think of, and would continue to repeat all of the gods names over and over, in hopes that this "babbling" would work to where one of the gods would respond to their pleading.   So - I think God loves and enjoys hearing us pray to Him in whatever way we do so - but we should not neglect the fact that when Jesus gave us the Lord's Prayer He said (in verse 9):  "Pray like this."

Verse 24 has always always been a verse that's convicted me and still does today: "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."  There is so much truth here in these 3 little sentences...  Who are we serving in our lives today?  I once read that one good indicator is to take a look at your monthly budget.  Where does the money go each month?  Interesting way to look at this.  Maybe another way to look at this is how you spend your time each week.  How much time is spent at work, volunteering, being with God, being with family/friends, taking a Sabbath, etc.  Maybe looking at how we spend our time and money is a good way to see who or what we are worshipping?  Do you believe that it is true that we cannot serve two masters?  Who are you serving these days?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew titled "Jesus on Prayer" is at this link, and "Where Is Your Treasure?" is at this link.

Psalms - Today in Psalm 7 verse 10 we read: "God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right." What stood out to me here is that it does not say that God saves those who "do" what is true and right.  It says that God saves those whose "hearts are" true and right.  As discussed in yesterday's Matthew 5 post, below, this is getting toward our interior motives and thoughts and hearts - the important thing is not what we do on the "exterior", but who we are on the "interior".  And then certainly if our hearts are true and right, a natural outflow of this is doing good things on the exterior.  But, it's the interior - our hearts - that matter most.  How is your heart these days?  Is it true and right?  And do you believe that God is indeed your shield?

Proverbs - Proverbs 2 verse 2 today is a fantastic teaching: "Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding."  There is so much noise and static and distractions in our modern world today that I think it is often hard for us to "tune our ears to wisdom & understanding."   With our 24 X 7 society, we can go 100mph and just kind of feel like we're doing fine...  but are we really doing fine when we are going that fast and moving all the time?   Can you find ways in your life to slow down and "tune in" to God?  I think reading the Bible each day is one amazingly great way to do this!  What are some areas of your life that you can "tune out" this year in 2008 so that you can spend more time "tuning in" to God and His wisdom?

Worship God: Below is a video of the Boys Brigade Company singing The Lord's Prayer in 1991:

Do you know Our Father?  Click here to meet Him!

Please join me in memorizing a verse of Scripture today:
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24 NIV

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Based on our Matthew 6 readings today about the Lord's Prayer, let me ask you this: How do you pray?  Or, in how many different ways do you pray?   Do you pray specific prayers regularly, like the Lord's Prayer?  Do you keep a list of people by your bedside to pray for regularly?  Do you pray by writing in a journal?   I actually had one friend share with me that each day of the week he would pray for a specific segment of his life and our world.  For example, on Sundays he'd pray for his church and pastors and the worldwide church.  On Mondays he'd pray for his family and coworkers and friends.  On Tuesdays he'd pray for politicians and world leaders.  And so on...  And he'd repeat this pattern each week. This way he was very intentional about praying - otherwise he said he'd just end up lobbing up a few prayers each day - and usually just for himself.  I think this is an interesting approach!  Please post up some thoughts on your prayer life?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[jen]

I pray a lot through out the day as the need arisies

[Mark]

My prayer agenda tends to happen in a number of different ways.

First, I want to make time and space to respond there and then to anything God puts on my heart. I want to be open to His promptings several times during the day.

I remember hearing of some well known Christian in modern history who was asked how long he prayed for at a time. His response was "about 20 minutes", which shocked the guy asking the question who was expecting to hear that he prayed for hours, until he added "and I never go more than 20 minutes between prayers". That's how I feel we should be - not legalistically, but simply learning to abide in Jesus throughout the day, no matter what else we are doing.

I also have lots of notes on pieces of paper scattered all around the house with topics for prayer, whether requests received from others, things that have occurred to me, or things God has said to me. Every now and then I go find them all, sit down before God and offer them all to Him. I pray through them all and really focus on those that He impresses upon me for specific intercession. I wish I could say this was a regular thing, but I really do mean "every now and then".

So this year, I've started a prayer journal which replaces all the bits of paper, allows me to track ongoing topics better, and will help me to make focussed intercession a more regular thing. It may sound a weird thing to ask, but I'm asking Holy Spirit to nag me about this!

[Esther]

Interesting to read Mike's comment on the OT passage since he is referring to the positive aspects of Abram/Abraham. I was surprised since I find we get to know Abram from a different angle in this passage. One sees he's human after all... :-)
I think that he and Sarai were probably a little worn out in waiting for God's promise to come true, after all these years. Prov 13:12 says that hope deferred makes the heart sick. And from that they were easy prey to wanting to MAKE things happen... I have struggled with this before and was reminded of an awesome book by Dutch Sheets on this ("Tell Your Heart To Beat Again").
To me it also seems that there's also a long-term consequence from having been to Egypt - they had Hagar and would consider using her for having a baby. And what a mess stemmed from that.
After the birth of Ishmael - did Abram realize that this was a bad idea after all I wonder? Took 13 more years of waiting.
I love how God speaks to Abram then, reminding him that he is strong enough to keep his promise (I'm the STRONG God) and asking him to live ENTIRELY before him.
Also awesome how names are proclamations - reminds me of my own name - Esther, meaning "star" - and that I am supposed to be in the business of shining...
- This blog is excellent - the comment section truly adds a lot to my own reading.

[Stacey]

I pray privately with the Lord in the morning using a journal. I do write out prayer because it forces me to slow down, think about what I want to say and quite often during this time, God will speak to me by reminding me of scriptures. He will actually hear and answer with wisdom and insight from the Word. Awesome. Then throughout the day I pray for issues in my life. When called to prayer by the Holy Spirit, I do pray and intercede for others. I use some lists and reminders at times, but sometimes that just becomes rote and meaningless- vain repetition. As for quoting the Lord's Prayer, like any other scripture it becomes life as you remember and say it out loud. Faith does come by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom 10:13). I believe that whenever I quote scripture I am praying in the Lord's Will so I will have what I have asked. (1 John 5:14) Praying using Jesus own words ignites my heart to want to pray according to God's will and not my own.

My prayer today for you all: Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

[Jayne]

I pray in the mornings as I get up and again as I read God's word whether it's the daily mass readings or the bible. I also pray each night as I'm falling asleep. I thank God for the day and ask Him to watch over me. I've been trying to make an effort to pray during the day, whether it's just a quick thank you, or to ask for help, or just to check-in and say hi. I belong to an Internet prayer list and so I pray for requests each day too.

I recently started a journal that are notes to God. I felt I needed something that was just for Him.

What I am having trouble with is praying before meals. I get so upset that I forget this. Sometimes I don't remember is after the meal is finished, so I thank God for it, but I would like to get into the habit of doing it before.

I've often wondered too if I pray the right way. If God likes all these different ways, or if I should just stick to The Lord's Prayer. I do pray the Lord's Prayer almost everyday and I've noticed on Sunday's at Mass, when it's time for that prayer, it is the loudest the church gets.

I guess I like to pray different ways because it doesn't get routine. I mean routine by the words I say. I want my prayers to mean something and not just say something to say it. Maybe that what the verse meant by don't babble?

[Leroy]

As the high Preist teaches us to Pray:
1) To praise and Glorify GOD.
2) To pray for others in need.
3) to pray for myself ( for spiritual Wisdom and to keep my Heart & Mind on Gods commandments & Precepts).

[Douglas]

Jayne comments -
What I am having trouble with is praying before meals.

In the Old Testement it was a prayer after the meal!
So don't beat yourself up over the when, Just don't forget to thank our "Father who are in Heaven".

[Birdie]

One easy way to remember "what" to pray for is JOY, which stands for Jesus, others, you. If you start out by praising and thanking Jesus, move on to others and their needs, and lastly come to yourself, most of the major points will be covered. I have trouble praying at any regular times during the day, mostly just when it "hits" me.

[R]

Matthew 6:1-24

In today’s passage of scripture, as yesterday’s, the common thread remains, Jesus is identifying what should be the paramount focus of human life, one’s internal life not the external. Our outside appearance and behavior more times than not does not match what is really going on in our hearts. He is also asking us to think about whose “approval” we want more, men or Gods. The one we pick will hint at how we value ourselves. God’s valuation of us is eternal, man’s value changes based on how it may self-benefit. We are valued by God based on who God is not on how beneficial we may be at the time to our neighbors, employers, employees and even our families.

God’s value is based on Truth, man’s value is fool’s gold, shiny on the outside but corrupted by rust and rot on the inside.

[Mae]

I have to keep this short. We have had an unexpected guest this afternoon and we're about to go back to church. And I don't know what time we'll be back tonight after the service. It's a special service because we're saying goodbye to a family, who are going to pioneer in Amsterdam.

The verses that stood out for me today are:
Genesis 18:12 "So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?”
Matthew 6:4 "Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you"
Matthew 6:22-23 “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!". ~ I LOVEEEEEEEEEEE these verses!!!
Psalm 7:10 "God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right".
Psalm 7:17 "The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads".
And Proverbs were great to read!!!! Real eye openers!

[Kelly]

Hello all!
When I pray I try to remember that I am simply having a conversation with my best friend. Sometimes I think people are intimidated by prayer because they think that there is some perfect way to pray, and that they'll sound stupid. Thank goodness this is not true!! Because my prayers tend to be conversational, to focus myself a little bit better I try and remember something I learned a long time ago in youth group: ACTS. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication) but, I don't stress out if I don't go in that order. Sometimes, ya just gotta pray!!
Verses that stood out to me today; Proverbs 2:1-5:My child,listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom,and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight,and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver;seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
and you will gain knowledge of God."
I have never gone through Proverbs before and I'm finding that I'm quickly falling in love with them! There is so much wisdom to be found here!

[John]

Gen 17
Thirteen years have passed and I am sure they have been some up and down years in Abram, Sarai, Hagar, and Ishmael's lives.

Previously God has been called Elohim and Jehovah, but now a third name is introduced.

Gen17:1
"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless." NIV

God Almighty or "El-Shaddai" meaning "The God who is Sufficient".

Something has happened to Abram - probably he has realized the folly of doing things Abram's way. Sadly, it sometime takes time for believers to get this message. Abram is now ready to depend on the Lord.

So what does God say - walk before me - and be what blameless??? perfect(KJV)???wholehearted(Hebrew root)?????

Mankind even Abram cannot be perfect. What gives? I think God is saying:

There is nothing you can do to be perfect or blameless, but if you believe in me and walk before me (with the right heart) - you will be regarded blameless - because I am the God who is sufficient".

"Walk before me and be perfect, wholehearted," God says, "because I am El Shaddai." That is, I am all-sufficient to make you blameless. Walk before me, therefore, and be blameless. - Ray Stedman

And so is the picture of Salvation. It is not by our works that we are saved - considered blameless enough - to enter heaven. But belief and receiving of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior - by this we are perceieved holy and blameless by a God that is all-sufficient.
======================================================
CIRCUMCISION

Note the subtle differences in God's speech.

In Gen17:3-8 it again is God's unilateral promise. In Gen17:9-14 is a bilateral covenant. This can be broken and has been. While the physical act of circumcision still occurs - the flesh means nothing if the heart is not in agreement. There will be consequences to the nation of Israel (as a nation) for the breaking of this covenant - but IT HAS NOTHING to do with the Covenant refered to in Gen17:3-8. That Unilateral Covenant is based on God's Word alone and cannot be broken. It will be interesting to see from here on earth or from the heavens how God brings everything to fruition.

Gen 18

SARAH

Why did Abraham and Sarah have to wait so long for their child? Sure, it is in God's timing, but I think there had to be a change in Sarah.

I think after the visitors left Sarah pondered the words "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" I believe there was a deepening of her faith and a real belief in God's Word.

"By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised." (Heb 11:11 {RSV})

Then came the child. Do you believe wonderful things happen in a Christian's life when they sit down and come to the conviction of the Truth of God's Word?????

[Cheryl]

As soon as I open my eyes in the morning I start my prayer. I keep a list of people to pray for by my bedside, or I forget. I have quite a few people ask for me to pray for them, so I don't want to forget them. I also pray (talk) to God through out the day. If I have a difficult student I will say a silent prayer. If I have a meeting I pray. I pray through out the day. I love and need to speak to God many, many times during the day.

During my lunch hour I listen to Christian music and center myself again, on what is important in life and how to walk the walk of Christ.

[Delores]

My best prayer is done when I'm journaling. I started this habit quite a few years ago because I wanted to practice hearing God's voice. In the process, I believe it has made me more sensitive to His voice and what's on His heart during the day when I can't journal so that I can pray more effectively. In this way "my lips [have become] the pen of a ready writer." I do need the structure of lists, though, so that I don't pray so generally, but more specifically for individuals. I do, but I know there's much room for improvement. Another thing that I've done is take a small tape player and record things that God shows me or that He puts on my heart throughout the day. I find as I am speaking what's on my heart that I end up praying alot more. Because I am on the road alot this works well, too. I also pray and sing in the spirit using my prayer language.

I'm going to "tune out" the self-condemnation and critical voices in my head about me and "tune in" to channel L-O-V-E. I can only love others as I love myself. Beating myself up and tearing myself down is going to stop. I repent of hating myself and being slow to forgive myself. I don't like it when others do it to me so why am I so quick to the draw? Why do I agree with the enemy and not God Who loves me? Why do I end up shooting myself down instead of standing on the Word of God? Guess I've been deceived. It's time to believe about me what God believes and stand forgiven, upright and strong in the Lord! Anyone with me?

I really loved reading about Abraham's hospitality to the strangers. Amazing! I think of the verse that speaks of how we never know when we might be entertaining angels when we show hospitality to strangers. Even better than angels we know that "when we do it to the least of these we have done it to the Lord." I pray that God will put people who serve the Lord in my son, Aaron's path throughout his whole life. Aaron would probably be considered "the least of these" to many, but, not to Jesus, though. He has severe autism and requires 24/7 care. In 2008, may God's will be done on earth even as it's done in Heaven, 24/7. Amen.

[Gina]

The verses in Genesis have been close to my heart over the past year. My husband and I have been trying to conceive for over a year. Ch 18:14 - "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" I love that because it gives me hope! I know God will give ua a child in His time!

In Matthew - it's good to be reminded how to pray! Before I was saved, my previous "religion" was one filled with memorized prayers that really didn't mean much to me. Our Pastor did a sermon series last year called "Teach us to Pray" - He broke down each verse of the Lord's Prayer and explained what each one meant and how it can relate to other prayers that we pray. I know now that prayer is just as simple as talking to God...it doesn't have to be a big long memorized speech - it needs to be from the heart!! :0)

[Elena]

I usually starts my prayer when I'm travelling. When going to the office I start praying for my kids and my husband that God will give them wisdom and protection they needed for the day. Then as the day go by I chat with God specially in decision making. but my problem is sometimes i forgot to pray before meal. Actually I'm not really good in praying I only say to God whatever I want to say to HIM. or whatever my heart want to say. Whenever I sing praise or worship song i feel like praying to God with all my heart and soul.

[Susan]

Sorry, this post is a few days behind.

First, as for prayers, I pray during my walk (which is tough to do with 3 little ones) and I keep a journal which I've also have been slack about lately. But now, I'm trying to teach our two year old about praying. We kneel by his bed and say the Lord's Prayer.

If you are looking for resources that talk about parenting your child, Sheperding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp has been an excellent place to start for our family. His material is full of scripture and how to use it to parent your child. He focuses on obedience as a heart issue and not just a behavior issue.

Finally, I just finished The Oath by Frank Peretti. It made me think about sin and how it hooks us and the importance of claiming Christ the master of our lives and the importance of confessing sin.

I also have read Girl Meets God by Laura Winner. It was a life-changing book. I love learning more about Jewish culture.

Sue Bee

[Wendy]

I myself pray in many different ways. There are short "urgent need" prayers that I pray throughout the day, because I know I can do anything with Christ, so when up against a challenge I call out to him sometimes out loud and sometimes in my spirt for his help. I do pray the Lord's prayer, I know I can count on it when I'm not at my best phyiscally or mentally to get all areas of my life covered. I especially like ending my day with prayer, each day brings about new aspects of life that need prayer in my own life or that of another. I pray in the spirit when I'm not sure how or what to pray, I let it interecede and I find that this is a most effective way to pray as it never fails to know what and how to pray. I mostly pray in AGREEMENT with my husband, friend, family member or fellow church member. There is POWER IN AGREEMENT! Matthew 18:19-20 Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

God's word is true and it can be trusted, this is the promise I stand on when I pray. Be blessed today!

[Becky]

Heya!

I find prayer journals to be really useful, especially as if you date entries, u can look back over the months and years and see how God has moved through situations, healed your brokenness, and how he has answered ur prayers - often in different/better ways than you thought he would.

I always try to remember to pray for protection if I'm driving anywhere, n if I hear of anyone with specific needs during the day.

What really moved me today was in Genesis 16:13 - "You are a God who sees." How unbelievable that he sees our every move, and hears our every prayer!!! :) We have an awesome God.

[Skip]

My prayer life is in the form of talking to God as if I were talking to one of my friends or family members. In this way I find myself talking to God all day long. It’s not always in words, sometimes it’s just pure thought. I have actual conversations with God. If I would talk out loud people would probably think I’m talking to myself, but my conversations are always as if God were standing there with me. Of course I’m sure He is.

I usually say The Lords Prayer before bed and then ask for the forgiveness of my sins and to help me not to sin anymore. I also ask Him to stay with my mother and protect her. I also ask Him to come into the life of several friends that I have who are not believers and that if it is in His plan for me to bring them to Him that He shows me the way to do that or to open the opportunity for me to talk to them about Him. I also thank Him for many simple things throughout the day such as, I’ll be watching some squirrels running after each other outside my window at work and it brings a smile to my face. I’ll thank Him for allowing me to watch them and for showing me joys of His creation. I’ll see a beautiful sky and thank Him for making such a beautiful place for us to live. I guess I can say that I see God in almost everything. I don’t know how I would live without Him and I can’t understand how people who do not know Him or believe in Him exist.

Yours in Christ
Skip

[Deelena Brand]

I love how Abraham really went out of his way for the strangers. It's difficult to imagine going to that extreme to wait on strangers. I don't know about anyone else, but I usually save the "good stuff" for my family-what a difference christians would make in the world if we gave our "good stuff" to strangers! It always amazes me that the kingdom of God is the exact opposite of what I think it should be or what my natural inclination is. God is awesome in this way! It is so cool how He uses the foolish, the downcast, the mixed up, confused and the last thing you can imagine to bring about HIS will. It is cool to watch Him do it! He turns my thinking inside out, upside down and wrongside out-only for me to see HIS way was right all along! Thank you for this forum and the challenge to stick with this throughout the year! God bless!

[Benny]

I in fact always pray using th Lord's Prayer, one of the reason being it sums up everything, from praising God, forgiveness, and blessing. I realized it's not a good way to be matured in prayer. It's like the story of a child who write down his prayer and said "God, please read this list everytime I need to pray..."

Now I'm trying to break out of that habit, praying for my local church, praying for those who are near and dear to me, and praying for those who need to be reached. That's my 2008 resolution.

[Kitty Cheng]

I must admit I don't pray the Lord's Prayer very often. I usually use the format of ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication) when I pray in the morning.

Throughout the day, I pray as if chatting with God casually, and as the Holy Spirit prompts me. Yes I do have a list of people to pray for regularly.

[sarat]

I just noticed today that Isaac means "he laughs" which is funny since both Abraham and Sarah laughed when God told them they would have a son. I think God might have been having the last laugh by having them name Isaac that.

I don't typically pray The Lord's Prayer, because I think Jesus meant it as an example, not as a memorization/recitation and I feel that it is said without thought too much. I did sit down and "translate" it in my own words, which helps me to remember what I'm really saying when I do say it.

[vanessa]

I don't really have a specific way that I pray.... I do keep a journal, though.