Day 123 - My Final Post

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you." John 14:27

Prayer. 123 days of creating a daily prayer time.  Exploring different types of prayer. Learning to create a prayer closet.  Understanding that prayer is the intimate relationship between God and yourself.  Knowing what it means to truly be what the modern-ancients call a prayer warrior.  This is my final blog and post on this subject of prayer.  I don't pretend to understand all that there is to prayer during this journey, but I do understand more.  I understand enough that my breath in and out will be filled with the sweet aroma of prayer. Dialogue with my Father.  Day and night.

If you have been on this journey with me - thank you for bearing with my less than articulate words when expressing prayer.  I have not yet uncovered any human words that adequately express the intimacy of dialog with the Holy Spirit.  Perhaps the closest expression is in the clap of thunder, the whisper of the wind, the clouds as they move across the sky - all God is nature and all nature is God.

It is fitting that He chose this last scripture for me from John 14:27.

My 123 day journey has brought me to the place of perfect peace.  Perfect rest. I am a child of God and He has given me the peace that He will never leave me nor forsake me.  The peace that I am His and one day I will join the others who have gone before me.  The bruised, the battered, the used, the worn, the bloody and the pierced.  Wasted bodies, but not wasted lives.  Used up bodies giving back to the One who gave.  With joy, with love, for all You've done.

Thank you for following me on this journey of prayer.  Shalom.

Father,

Thank you for the lessons I have learned.  Thank you for Your breath in my ear. Thank you for the mirror which once reflected my own sin and now reflects You.  Thank you for my life.  I ask for nothing, knowing that You are guiding my path.  Your Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path.  The first song I ever sang in church for You.  It was not good, but the saints weren't looking for performance - they were looking for faith.  That has not changed today.  Thank you for this lesson to take into my future.

Love, your daughter,

Cathy

DAY-95 Your Prayer Closet

When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly —Matthew 6:6


Where is your prayer closet?  How have you cultivated that habit of daily prayer in your life?  How do you "get alone" with God and when does that start?  Does it start at the beginning of your day? The middle? The evening?  Ever?

The power of the prayer closet is that it allows for you to fully focus on Him.  It takes bringing your spirit to that quiet place where only He is.

You may think that you can close your eyes anywhere and be in commune with God. And to some extent that is true.  You can learn to quiet yourself in any situation and pray...but can you hear?  Praying is not a one way conversation.  Prayer is you and Him in dialogue.

Some of you may not be good communicators.  Some of you may have difficulty praying out loud.  I did too at first.  One of the greatest gifts that a pastor did for me was force me to pray out loud in front of others. I was on staff in an administrative role in a church and was allowed to come to the staff meetings.  We each had to take a turn praying out loud...and the group would wait until each had taken a turn.  I was so nervous to speak and pray out loud for fear that others would judge me.  And some have judged me.  But that is their sin, not mine.  You must not allow what others think about you to ever create tension in the life that God has for you.

The saint Mother Teresa shared this about prayer.

“Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.” 
― Mother Teresa

Here is a beautiful prayer to meditate on today.

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 
― St. Francis of Assisi



**Cathy is a writer, speaker and worship leader.  You may contact her at cwoolaway@yahoo.com or 217 521 2070

Day 93 - Blessed are the Poor in Spirit.....

The Ministry of the Unnoticed

Matthew 5:3 blessed are the poor in spirit

The true character of the loveliness that speaks for God is always unnoticed by the one possessing that quality. Conscious influence is prideful and unchristian. If I wonder if I am being of any use to God, I instantly lose the beauty and the freshness of the touch of the Lord. “He who believes in Me . . . out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). And if I examine the outflow, I lose the touch of the Lord.

Who are the people who have influenced us most? Certainly not the ones who thought they did, but those who did not have even the slightest idea that they were influencing us. In the Christian life, godly influence is never conscious of itself. If we are conscious of our influence, it ceases to have the genuine loveliness which is characteristic of the touch of Jesus. We always know when Jesus is at work because He produces in the commonplace something that is inspiring.

 ** Shared from Oswald Chambers

Our prayer today:

Father,  forgive me and thank you for continuing to speak to me about what it means to be a true Christ-like Disciple.  My past is gone and my future lies in your hands. I will no longer seek for significance - but rather God I will seek to serve others in whatever way that may manifest itself in my life.  Serving others out of my poverty brings me close to You Lord.  I pray for those who feel the need to serve out of duty, or serve to be recognized, or serve to have control, or serve out of anything that is not of love.  My understanding of being in Your Will has grown. I no longer count my days nor count my actions and compare to others.  But I long and live to serve You.  The Father of all.  I pray for a clear mind and a clear heart that I might understand who I am to serve and where.  May the many doors of need be opened to me as I seek to love others as You  have loved me.  At my worst moment and at my best You have loved me.  I pray for my circle of influence whoever and whatever that might be.  I pray that they would not see me, but they would see You in all Your fullness and grace and mercy and acts of servitude.  May I always turn beautiful eyes towards evil.  May I always extend beautiful hands to the rough.  My I always use beautiful feet to go and serve in the muck.  May my life be a total reflection of your beauty and light.  I love you Lord.  I lift my Voice.  To Worship You oh my soul rejoice.  Take joy my King in what You hear.  May it be a sweet sweet sound in Your ear.

Your daughter,

Cathy

**Cathy is a writer, speaker, worship leader.  You may contact her for engagements at 217 521 2070 or cwoolaway@yahoo.com

Day 93 -123 Days of Prayer

A prayer of a child.

Father,

This morning Lord I release to you any future thoughts I might have about Your Will for my life.  Instead Father I firmly place my hand in yours and vow not to let go to wander off a path that would pull away from You.  I know that You are my Abba, my Daddy, my Protector and my Guide.  I know that You want the best for my life and so I give you my all, my life, my soul, my heart, my thoughts, my moves, my actions, my desires, my future is all in Your strong hands.

I pray Lord for all those around me.  Those whom I love and know and those who I don't know.  I pray for those who would think evil of me and ask that Your Spirit would move on their hearts in forgiveness.  I release my past to You today and resolve not to look back not to look forward but to live in the moments of each day with You as you show me and teach me, guide me and love me.

You are my all in all.  Master, Savior, Creator, God.

I am your child.

Love,

Cathy



**Cathy is a writer, speaker, worship leader.  You may contact her at 217 521 2070 or at cwoolaway@yahoo.com

Prayer for Rest-Day 92

"Come all ye who are heavy laden and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28


Father,

Today I pray Lord for those who are burdened with the sins of the past.  The guilt or the unforgiveness of past actions laden on their backs bending their physical bodies and draining their spiritual souls.  I pray Lord that they would not focus on themselves or their circumstances but that they Lord would put all their focus on You and Your Word.  That they would meditate on it night and day and that You Lord would take them by the hand, remove the burdens from their hearts as they give themselves to you completely and cleanse them of their past.  Give them the rest of a pure heart - a heart that knows and believes in forgiveness of all sin.  A heart that no longer clings to what was - but rather to You in all Your fullness of life for them.

Help each one to understand what Rest in You means.  Not chaos, or confusion, not thrashing or self examination but trust and rest in the faith that is found in a resurrected body and life.  We are the resurrected body just as You were resurrected - we find our rest in our own resurrection and the belief and trust in that.

Thank you for your Word that is living and inspiring each of us to long for our best for You   Though we do not have an understanding of what that Best is...we know that in our rest you will supply that as well.

Help us each to remember that You did not come for one - but you came for ALL that we might find our rest and ultimately our eternal rest.

We love You today and give You all praise and honor and glory,

Amen.






Cathy is a speaker, writer, and worship leader.  You may contact her at 218 521 2070 or at cwoolaway@yahoo.com.

Day 87-Prayers of Affirmation

I have been reading Henri Nouwen's book on Discernment as I continue to pray my way through 123 days of intentional prayer for God's next assignment for me.  Perhaps you are in the same place as I am...seeking, longing, searching nature, people, and events that give us clues to the next ministry God is assigning to us.  There are so many opportunities to be involved with that we can become distracted by all the different paths.

Also, if, like me, you have just come through a major change in your life you may find yourself questioning your call.  Doors don't seem to be opening like we think they should.  A long drought period leaves you wondering if perhaps God has a completely different plan for your life.

This last weekend I had the opportunity to test my call.  I have been a worship pastor for over ten years when I found myself in a new transition.  Knocking on doors and seeking God's next move did not uncover much for me.  And I began to question my call.  Perhaps I was to do something different for the Lord.  Perhaps I am too old to be relevant anymore.  Perhaps my personality does not fit the new model of a modern day worship leader.  Questioning everything about myself.  I wondered when I walked through this newest door how God would move.

I was able to walk into a brand new church with all new musicians and a large choir I had never met and with minimal rehearsal lead a worship service for the church and share a choir special.  Not only was it the easiest assignment I had encountered but it was so brimming over with the Holy Spirit moving that I found myself in the middle of the service completely amazed and astounded at how God moved on the people in the congregation and the people who were leading with me.  A spontaneous movement to the altar occured by a young man with MS and was followed by others who freely wept and cried out to God.  It was one of those services that was completely taken over by God and we all stood and marveled and prayed until all those at the altar had prayed through.  I wanted to SHOUT with joy - and think I did ;-)

After the service I was visiting with some folks and realized that what God did in that service was affirm His call on my life as a worship pastor.  I felt renewed, revived and at peace knowing my path is once again clear to me.

I write all this to encourage anyone who may be questioning their call and needing an affirmation.  Step through the door God gives you whether you think it is right or not - step through.  It could be that God wants to re-affirm your call and give you clear direction.  It may be that He is giving you peace.

Here is the prayer that I have been praying.  I hope it helps you as you seek God's Will in your life.

"Father,
I pray Lord that you will guide me and direct my path in all ways.  I pray Lord for opportunities that you direct to show me if I am on the right path or if there is something else that you have for me.  I pray that I will open my eyes and heart to nature, people, places, things and events that will give me clues as to where my next ministry will be.  Thank you Father for your care and gentle spirit as you guide me along.  Open the doors and close the doors as needed.  Help me discern and affirm not just what is good for me - but what is best to your Kingdom."

Your daughter,

Cathy

++Cathy is a writer, speaker and worship leader.  You may contact her for information on engagements at cwoolaway@yahoo.com or at 217.521.2070

Prayer in the Father's Honor.-Day 81

Prayer in the Father’s Honor

08

08

2013

. . . that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God —Luke 1:35

If the Son of God has been born into my human flesh, then am I allowing His holy innocence, simplicity, and oneness with the Father the opportunity to exhibit itself in me? What was true of the Virgin Mary in the history of the Son of God’s birth on earth is true of every saint. God’s Son is born into me through the direct act of God; then I as His child must exercise the right of a child— the right of always being face to face with my Father through prayer. Do I find myself continually saying in amazement to the commonsense part of my life, “Why did you want me to turn here or to go over there? ’Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?’ ” (Luke 2:49). Whatever our circumstances may be, that holy, innocent, and eternal Child must be in contact with His Father.

Am I simple enough to identify myself with my Lord in this way? Is He having His wonderful way with me? Is God’s will being fulfilled in that His Son has been formed in me (see Galatians 4:19), or have I carefully pushed Him to one side? Oh, the noisy outcry of today! Why does everyone seem to be crying out so loudly? People today are crying out for the Son of God to be put to death. There is no room here for God’s Son right now— no room for quiet, holy fellowship and oneness with the Father.

Is the Son of God praying in me, bringing honor to the Father, or am I dictating my demands to Him? Is He ministering in me as He did in the time of His manhood here on earth? Is God’s Son in me going through His passion, suffering so that His own purposes might be fulfilled? The more a person knows of the inner life of God’s most mature saints, the more he sees what God’s purpose really is: to “. . . fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ . . .” (Colossians 1:24). And when we think of what it takes to “fill up,” there is always something yet to be done.

**Shared from online My Utmost for His Highest Oswald Chambers 

http://utmost.org/

**Cathy is a writer, speaker and worship pastor. You may reach her for speaking engagements at 217 521 2070 or e mail cwoolaway@yahoo.com

DAY 79 - Prayer of Discernment

I have been studying Henri Nouwen's book on Discernment.  Henri was a man dedicated to Christ and to living his life as close to Christ as he could while on earth.  Although a Roman Catholic priest - he judged no other community but simply mined the truth and moved on.

He spent many hours and days in praying for discernment in his life choices and his vocation.  He left a life of comfort teaching, speaking and writing to join a community for the disabled where he was their pastor but also where he lived and worked alongside them, loved them where they were at.  Ultimately he understood that he was not called to help the disabled - but he was called to live in a community of people who could teach him about service and obedience, gratitude and humility.

He teaches that in your prayer life solitude is the first thing before community.  You must place yourself for a time in a period of solitude where nothing hinders your talk with the Lord.  He also encourages the reading of Scripture, spiritual biographies, contemporary devotions and historical books in your solitude.  A method of prayer he used for himself was taking a short passage of scripture - one or two words or one line and saying it over and over while in prayer to God.  He admitted a restless spirit - even while praying - and found that focusing on a word or sentence helped him to stay still and quiet before the Lord.

I have used this myself in my solitude. What I have found is that I have been able to break a habit, actually several habits that keep me from a deeper level of discipleship.  Also God has given me "signs" through people, places and nature that are starting to help me understand my path.

There is a long way to go before I can get to a place of complete abandonment but understanding is the key that unlocks the door to your best life in Christ.  

Prayer for today:

Father,

I have been on the journey with you for most of my life and yet the older I get the more I understand how little I really know.  I pray Lord that during this time of solitude that I would come to grow deeper in hearing Your still small voice.  I long to see people, places, dreams, visions and nature as your loving signs to me about how to live my best life.  I thank you and praise You for the life you have given me. I will continue to keep my eyes and ears alert and my spirit in tune through the many moments of my day.  These are the times of refreshment and renewing that you give us.  I will not worry about tomorrow - but I will bask in your presence with me today.  I am grateful.

Your servant,

Cathy

**Cathy is a speaker, writer and worship leader who is available by contacting 217 521 2070 or email cwoolaway@yahoo.com

Day 71 - A prayer in the dark

Dear Lord,
This morning I come to you with childlike faith knowing that all you have in store for me is good.  I am remembering in my prayers how small the world and even the Universe is compared to You.  How great and unimaginably powerful You are to have created not just the Universe but all creatures.  To have breathed life into all creatures and to call us all good.  I praise You that I am a child of God and You desire to be near to me.

I pray for wonder when I am increasingly blind by my life.  I keep my eyes ahead and do not waste time looking behind because I know by faith in my darkness Your Light will eventually appear.  I pray that You take me during this time and that I release anything that is in my own way in overcoming.  I release all remnants of who and what I was and am today.  I give my life to You fully and completely knowing that You know what's best for me.

I do not mind living in the clouds - in the blindness.  I will walk through and marvel at each distinctive form the clouds in my life take.  I will not fear them at all even though they become black with lightening.  Instead I will enjoy each one knowing that my life and my spirit will not remain the same once they have lifted.

Thank you for Your Word.

Your daughter,

Cathy




**Cathy is a speaker, writer and worship leader.  Contact her for engagements at 217 521 2070 or cwoolaway@yahoo.com

Day 66 A Prayer of Embracing

We are a little more than half way through our 123 days and today is a prayer of embracing.  God longs for us to embrace not just the good in our lives but that which we may consider uncomfortable.  If we are to be called Disciples we must learn that God uses all things to bring glory to Him and to bring the BEST for us 

 Embrace change and all circumstances as God moving in our lives and see how it changes us from good to best in the light of His glory and grace.

Father in Heaven

We pray this morning that we might embrace ALL that you have for us.  Not just the good but those things which cause hurt and discomfort.  We ask Lord that you thoroughly use us today in whatever means possible to bring continued glory to You.  May we never wish to be lifted up - but only through You may our actions words and deeds be seen.  

We embrace You....all of You including Your times of melting and molding.  We embrace the change that You bring to our lives.  We embrace the struggle and release it to You knowing that when we stop fighting and start embracing Your truths become more apparent to us and our imperfections diminish in Your Light.

Thank you that you are a Father that allows us to embrace You.  That you are not a distant father figure but a papa that we can climb up onto Your lap and tell our inner most secrets and You will not admonish us but will wipe away our tears and embrace us as well.

We love You this morning and every moment of our day.  I breath You in and I breath You out. My rock, my shield, my comfort, my Abba.

Your daughter,

Cathy

**Cathy is a professional writer, speaker and worship leader.  You may contact her for engagements at 217 521 2070 or email at cwoolaway@yahoo.com

Day 64- A Prayer of Passing

“Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.”  ~ C.S. Lewis


Father God who created us in His likeness and stands beside us while on this earth, we pray on behalf of our loved ones who are moving into your presence for all eternity.  We thank you for the restoration of our spirit and for the new body that shall be supplied as you promise us.  To laugh, to sing, to speak, to love, to praise You; to live in complete unity and peace together with those who came before us.

Comfort those who are behind and encourage them knowing that one day they too will see You in Your Glory!  Be merciful to all reminding them that this is not the end of life here on earth - but that death is actually the beginnning of our eternal life.  Let us not be afraid, but let us be grateful knowing that You are the one who truly has cared for us from the beginning.  Help us to rally and remember and celebrate a life that we loved and will continue to love in death.  Show us the beautiful steps that one day we too will walk and wrap your arms around us in comfort knowing once again this is not the end...but the start of a beautiful new beginning that lasts forever.

Amen.

DAY 59 - Prayer of Release

This is a prayer that was sent to me through an anonymous source. I liked it and hope that you do too. 

Prayer of release:

I know the one for whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return. 2 Timothy 1:12

Heavenly Father, I release to you the burdens that I have been carrying, burdens that you never intended for me to carry. I cast all my care upon you , all my worries, and all my fears. You hold me to not be anxious about anything, but rather to bring to you everything in prayer and with thankfulness.

Father, calm my restless spirit, quiet my anxious heart, still my troubling thoughts with the assurance that you are in control. I let go of my grip upon the things I have been holding onto, and with open hand now I come to you. I release to your will all that I am trying to manipulate; I release to you authority all that I am trying to control; and I release to your timing all that I have been striving to make happen.

I thank you for your promise to sustain me, preserve me, and guard all that I have entrusted to your keeping. Protect my heart and mind with your peace, the peace that passes all understanding. Father, may your will be done in my life, in your time, and in your way.

Psalms 55:22, 1 peter 5:7, Philippians 4:6, Mathew 6, Isaiah 26:3, Luke 11:2.

DAY 52 A Prayer of Forgiveness

Day 52 of 123 Days of Prayer.

Pray.Love.Forgive.  

Today I pray the prayer of forgiveness from Psalm 51.  This was David's prayer of forgiveness in his great sin against Uriah. Though our own sin may not be as great as adultery or murder it is good for us in any situation where we feel we have sinned or turned from God to pray this prayer with all authenticity and affection; grace will be supplied.  May this prayer minister to you today - knowing that no sin is beyond forgiveness by our great and merciful Lord.

Psalm 51

Be merciful to me, O God,
    because of your constant love.
Because of your great mercy
    wipe away my sins!
2 Wash away all my evil
    and make me clean from my sin!

3 I recognize my faults;
    I am always conscious of my sins.
4 I have sinned against you—only against you—
    and done what you consider evil.
So you are right in judging me;
    you are justified in condemning me.
5 I have been evil from the day I was born;
    from the time I was conceived, I have been sinful.

6 Sincerity and truth are what you require;
    fill my mind with your wisdom.
7 Remove my sin, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness;
    and though you have crushed me and broken me,
    I will be happy once again.
9 Close your eyes to my sins
    and wipe out all my evil.

10 Create a pure heart in me, O God,
    and put a new and loyal spirit in me.
11 Do not banish me from your presence;
    do not take your holy spirit away from me.
12 Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation,
    and make me willing to obey you.
13 Then I will teach sinners your commands,
    and they will turn back to you.

14 Spare my life, O God, and save me,[b]
    and I will gladly proclaim your righteousness.
15 Help me to speak, Lord,
    and I will praise you.

16 You do not want sacrifices,
    or I would offer them;
you are not pleased with burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice is a humble spirit, O God;
    you will not reject a humble and repentant heart.

18 O God, be kind to Zion and help her;
    rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will be pleased with proper sacrifices
    and with our burnt offerings;
    and bulls will be sacrificed on your altar.

**Cathy is a speaker, writer and worship leader.  You may contact her for speaking engagements at cwoolaway@yahoo.com or 217 521 2070.

Day 49. Pray. Love Forgive

Day 49.  On this day I ran across an article by Robert Velarde on what we should not expect prayer to be.
I loved the short but encompassing examples.  Take a look.....

What Prayer Is Not

Now that we have a clearer understanding of God's nature, it may be tempting to delve right into a definition of prayer. But first let's take a brief look at what prayer is not (this is by no means an exhaustive list):

• Prayer is not magic. We cannot summon God as though He were a genie, waiting to grant our wishes without regard for our circumstances or the consequences.
• Prayer does not make demands. While we can make requests of God in prayer, we dare not make demands. God is the Creator of the universe and does not take orders from us.
• Prayer is for our benefit, not God's. We need a relationship with God, available to us through Jesus Christ and engaged primarily through prayer, because we were made to function best when we are in a proper relationship with our Creator.
• Prayer is not a guarantee against suffering. "In this world you will have trouble" (John 16:33); "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:12-13).
• Prayer is not an opportunity for us to show off. "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men" (Matthew 6:5).

Our prayer for today:

Father God.  May I never use prayer as anything but an opportunity to grow closer to you through dialogue, companionship, relationship and authenticity.  Although You know everything about me, You yearn for me to learn more about You through our prayer language.  I thank you that you are never too busy, too important, too angry or too preoccupied that You will not engage intimately with me.  There is no greater love than devotion to You in my life.  Thank you for being more than a friend, thank you for being my God.

Amen.

**Cathy is a professional speaker, writer, dramatist/story teller, worship leader.  You may contact her below or at cwoolaway@yahoo.com or 217 521 2070.

Day 19

For every one that asketh receiveth. — Luke 11:10

This scripture comes with a preface.  When we ask God for anything that we have already envisioned we ask in vain.  God wants us to ask from a place of desperation.  If we are satisfied with our spiritual self we are not in a position to ask from God for anything.  The pauper recognizing his poverty begs.  So we too out of our spiritual poverty should beg - humble ourselves and beg.  Think of David face down on the floor lamenting his own sinful heart.  This is a man whom God chose to become King.  A man about whom it was said "had a heart for God."  He sinned.  We ALL sin!  We are on the pathway - but we are wicked - and the only proper response is to ask the Holy Spirit for cleansing.  Ask and ye shall receive.  We are not talking about shallow earthly goods.  We are talking about our wretched soul.  Prayer is not a gumball machine.  Prayer does not provide an instant reward.  Prayer is asking God not to do our bidding, but to bring us back to that right relationship where He is our Guide.  Our earthly bodies are made to worship the King.  Should God decide to use them for His Glory that is His prerogative.  We receive not - because we ask not.  God cares about one thing - and one thing only - our hearts.  What is our motivation dear hearts for asking?  Is it to receive the King? Or to receive a lust of our flesh.  Bigger, Better, Brighter?

Father,

When I think about the prayers that I have offered up to You, prayers for anything that might make me comfortable - I am ashamed.  My prayer first and foremost should be that you cleanse me clean and whole. That the desires of my heart become the desires of Your heart.  That no word or action would come out of me that is not from the Holy Spirit.  Guide my path oh Lord.  Not my will, but Thy will.  Remember me dear Jesus.

Your daughter,

Cathy

Prayer for the flesh.......

Dear Lord,

Forgive us our temptations and help us be reminded that You were tempted in all ways while You were on earth.  You withstood more physical pain than most of us can imagine - and yet You said "Father - forgive them."  You took the entire sin of man on your shoulders - You carried our sin - willingly You said "but not my will but Thy will be done."  Father we live in a broken world - broken by the sin of the flesh.  You allowed us to be born - You gave us life.  You alone created us uniquely and You know our every fiber, our every breath. Thank you for prayer, our way of communicating with You.  When we are tempted  - we need only breath You in and stop and be still.  Your Holy Spirit will come in our time of need.  We are never too far gone in some earthly trash that You cannot reach us - You cannot make us clean and whole.  You created us and called us good.  You want only good things for us.  Help remind us Father that we were created for worship not for things that will harm us or others.  Help us to stop whatever it is that degrades our spirits and turn to You.  May You fill us with all things good.

You make beautiful things, You make beautiful things out of the dust.

It's all about You.....it's all about You......it's all about You.

Your daughter in love,

Cathy

Father forgive me my pedestrian dreams......

123 Days of Prayer-Day 16

Dear God,

I thank you Lord that you are the Sovereign God of the Universe.  You are pure and holy and magnificent.  There are no human words that adequately can describe You.  You are known and not-known. You are closer than a friend yet mysterious.  Your creation is beautiful and good and pure.  You know all about us each second of our day is known to you - every breath we take you notice.  Forgive us our sins Lord as we forgive others who sin against us.  Give me your heart.  Let my mind be like the mind of Christ.  Focused on the eternal not the past or the present.  Shine Your Light through me in my words, actions and deeds. I am not afraid for I know that You go before me.  I will stay true.  I will walk in peace. My prayers I know You hear - for You love me, created me and call me good.  May my days be filled with thoughts of Your goodness, kindness, patience and love for others.  May I reflect You and may I see You in all the small details of my life.

I thank You for this life.  Let me not grow weary of doing good. May I find peace amidst the chaos on this earth. May my heart and ear be quick to recognize Your voice.  May my feet and hands be used as You alone see fit.  Make me a blessing to others my Lord as You have been a blessing to me.

I pray for this world.  I pray for Your people.  I pray for justice and mercy and grace.

In Your Precious Name - the Name above all Names - Jesus the Christ.

Your daughter,

Cathy

Laments in a Modern Culture

Some say the blues were originally gospel music that talked about what you couldn’t talk about in church. All music that has stemmed from the blues (i.e., most forms of American popular music) has carried on this tradition, giving us musical forms which are particularly well-suited to singing sad songs. Your woman left you? Any blues singer could sing about that — and so can any rock band or hip-hop artist. However, you can be sure the issue will never be addressed in church. As Kanye raps on his new album with Jay-Z, “that’s something that the preacher don’t preach.” The church needs to relearn these lessons, and pop can lead the way.

This inability to discuss the real pains of regular life silences many. People racked with heartache notice that none of the songs in their worship service deal deeply and honestly with their pain. If one wishes to say anything other than “God is good!” while surrounded by people declaring God’s goodness, in a service that reinforces those same ideas, there is implicit social pressure to keep your feelings to yourself. If this goes on long enough, one will begin to think such feelings are unacceptable even to God. Church becomes a place where you can only discuss the pleasant.

The ancient Israelites faced a similar problem, and they developed the “Lament” psalm. Lament means more than just “sad song.” At least in its technical usage, the lament consists of The Complaint, The Request, and The Praise. In the Complaint, one sings about the hard things in life, the things “the preacher don’t preach.” The Request asks God to intervene in the situation, and is almost always followed with the Praise. However, it is important to realize that the Request can be much more confrontational than the word “request” suggests. Many theologians go so far as to say that it’s a challenge to God: “I believe You are good, but evil persists. Will You act, God, or will You allow evil to stand?” This can be easily seen in passages like Psalm 6:3 or 13:3. Elsewhere, Psalm 79:10challenges God’s power, at least in the minds of the Gentile nations. The Request, then, is not the sort of thing that would be said in many church services. Yet, the Bible’s authors believed praying in this way was legitimate and important.Lamenting allows one to express their hurts to God and validate their pain. The “Personal Lament” (e.g., Psalm 3, 4, 5, and 7) was likely performed in some sort of religious service, either in the village or at the temple. It acknowledged the pain of the one who prays, and publicly validated their pain’s significance. This rejects the implicit pressure in many modern churches to keep smiling. Furthermore, in acknowledging this hurt in a religious setting, with a prayer directed toward God, one is reminded that God cares about their pain.

The form also leads one, if just for a few moments, from despair to God. The form of the Lament, beginning in sorrow and ending in praise, can pull the eyes of the lamenter up towards God. It can turn the singer’s cries into a half-hearted acknowledgment of God’s goodness. It’s not much, but it’s more than what existed before praying the Lament. It might be enough to protect and preserve faith through a difficult situation.
At its core, popular music is music for dealing with difficult situations, much like the Lament psalm. Many songs on the radio are monuments to broken hearts and other sources of pain. This is one reason teenagers, who already feel isolated from those around them, connect so easily with music. In “Someone Like You,” Adele confesses her love to a married former boyfriend. Each refrain concludes with “Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead/Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead.” The pop musician can sing about painful relationships, but a Lament-less church is unable to give voice to these struggles. This is yet another reason the Church often seems ineffectual.

The Lament of Christ

True laments are not impossible to find in contemporary music: U2′s “When I Look at the World” and “Wake Up, Dead Man” are classic laments, as is Johnny Cash’s “Spiritual” and the interpretations of some who have covered Leonard Cohen’s exhausted “Hallelujah.” However, most pop can only provide half of a solution. Pop is good at delivering the Complaint, but rarely does it turn to God and ask for divine intervention. It almost never offers a way to praise God in the midst of pain. While pop can sometimes be encouraging, as in Katie Perry’s “Firework,” this lacks the power of the Lament.

The Church needs Laments because people need Laments. As things stand, huge swaths of the Church are unable to effectively address the hurts and questions of its members. The “secular world” has half-met this need, and many have been drawn out of the Church by their inability to address their concerns in the Church. I would suggest that an endorsement of Laments accompanied with examples from pop music would help to understand them better. This might even lead to a deeper appreciation of the Psalms, though addressing the concrete lives of parishioners is more urgent. The Church survived for centuries without most Christians even being able to read their Bibles, but it will not long survive if it fails to bear one another’s burdens

.Stephan Hale - Pop songs and Laments.

DAY 1 - Praying the Psalm of David

 A Psalm of David.

 To thee, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

 2 O my God, in thee I trust, let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.

 3 Yea, let none that wait for thee be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous

. 4 Make me to know thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation; for thee I wait all the day long

 6 Be mindful of thy mercy, O LORD, and of thy steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 

7 Remember not the sins of my youth, or my transgressions; according to thy steadfast love remember me, for thy goodness' sake, O LORD!

 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 

10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

 11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great. 

12 Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.

 13 He himself shall abide in prosperity, and his children shall possess the land.

 14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. 

15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

 16 Turn thou to me, and be gracious to me; for I am lonely and afflicted.

 17 Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me out of my distresses

. 18 Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.

 19 Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me.

 20 Oh guard my life, and deliver me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in thee.

 21May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for thee

. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.