The book is Before Amenby Max Lucado. The prayer is simple. Father, you are good, I need help. Heal me and forgive me. They need help. Thank you. In Jesus Name, Amen. He calls these pocket prayers. He is challenging everyone to pray four minutes a day for four weeks. You can sign up at https://maxlucado.com/email-ads/join-the-prayer-challenge/
The other preacher I appreciate is Chuck Swindoll. I listen to him in the morning on my way to work. I googled him for the journal quote. He is a fan of journaling. He wrote an article, “What Journaling Can Do For You.”
Max Lucado identified himself as a prayer wimp. In my heart of hearts, I believe Chuck Swindoll is a prayer giant. I am somewhere between a wimp and a giant. I strive to be a giant but some days I am a prayer wimp. I call out to God with my 911 prayers. Other times I spend an hour writing or journaling my prayers in my journals. Max makes prayer so practical, God you are good. This equals praise. Max asks in his book Before Amen, Is God’s goodness a headline in your heart? He ask the reader to evaluate your heart in regards to God’s goodness. He asks, how do you view God’s goodness. 1. I always trust that God is good. 2. I believe that God is good when life is good. 3. I have a hard time trusting that God is good. 4. It’s easier to believe that God is good to other people than to me. 5. I say, “God is good,” but my thoughts and actions don’t always show that.”
The next part is petition. I need help, heal me, and forgive me. Forgiveness is essential in our daily lives. We need to forgive others as God have forgiven each one of us so much. There is no one free from sin. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. However, in I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins He is faithful to forgive u.” Then it is petition for others, they need help. Max shares in Before Amen, that when you are standing in line in the grocery store, you can pray for that person in line, Lord they need help.
Max asks, “Who do you turn to for help when you doubt God’s goodness? I used to turn to food. I had such an idol in my life. You can read my story about my weight loss journey in “Your Life Still Counts” by Tracie Miles. I am in Chapter 12.
So today I am thankful for men like Max Lucado, and Chuck Swindoll. I am thankful for my pastor Dennis Keating. I am thankful for Proverbs 31 ministry that has an amazing online Bible Study. I am thankful for Tracie Miles who admitted that she had an abortion as a nineteen-year-old. She felt that God could never use her but God has used her in a beautiful story of redemption. I am thankful for God’s redemptive plan.
Father God, you are good, you are always good, you do not treat me as I deserve, you call me a saint, you forgive my sins as far as east is from the west. I am in awe of your majesty. Father God, I need help, they need help
Your turn, I am thankful………..
8 Comments
Lynnae McCoy
November 30, 2014 at 3:26 amI love Max Lucado and Chuck Swindolll, too! I’m going to have to check out that article on journaling. And I think one of my big focuses next year is going to be on prayer.
What am I thankful for? A day of family time yesterday, the sound of my four year old coming down the hall right now, and big kisses from her (how do you like that…thankfulness in real time). Hot cups of coffee and quiet time with Jesus. I feel so blessed.
blessingsrockwell@gmail.com
November 30, 2014 at 1:52 pmLynnae Thank you for your words. It means so much to me that you read my blog. Blessings Diana
Anastasia Rose
November 30, 2014 at 7:37 amThis is beautiful! Journaling is a huge part of my existence, and it is one of the ways I talk to God.
Anastasia Rose
walk-in-the-rain-with-me.blogspot.com
blessingsrockwell@gmail.com
November 30, 2014 at 1:53 pmThank you Anastasia, I journal my prayers. You reading my blog means so much to me. Blessings Diana
Tobi@SimplyJesus
November 30, 2014 at 9:50 amI am thankful for grace and for the fact that Jesus loves us enough to die for us. Great reminder to remember to pray.
blessingsrockwell@gmail.com
November 30, 2014 at 1:55 pmI am so thankful you read my blog. Where would we be without grace. Blessings. Diana
The Momma (aka Therese Moma)
November 30, 2014 at 10:38 amGood thoughts on prayer. I definitely don’t consider myself a prayer giant and lately I’ve been something of a massive wimp. One of the things that I firmly believe is that prayer is more than just words (although words are good and necessary). The Benedictines have a motto that is “ora et labora” which is Latin for “pray and work” and the idea behind it is that the work we do as part of our primary life vocation (married life, single life, consecrated religious life, priesthood) can be an offering of prayer. Think about all the times that mothers get up in the night with their babies and lovingly tend to them, sacrificing their own sleep for their child. That kind of work is an offering of love to their child and to God who made both mothers and children. When I am struggling for words — be they praise or petition — I offer my work as a wife and mother as a prayer.
blessingsrockwell@gmail.com
November 30, 2014 at 1:57 pmThank you I really appreciate you reading my blog. Blessings Diana