Sentimental Journey

I do not know about you, but I sure get sentimental at this time of year. It's not that I long to repeat the past. The past is done.

It's that I love to make memories and remember them. I also like to plan on making them.

Here's a question for you.

Do you ever get sentimental about your journey with God and what he has done in your life? 

If so, good for you! When was the last time you did that? Also, why did you get sentimental? 

If not, why not? 

Try to go on a sentimental journey for the rest of the year 2011. Remember what God and you have gone through together. Remember what he has done. What have you prayed? What answers have you received and why? This is an opportune time to prayer journal, by the way. Remember what he has asked of you. Focus on this year. Then, peek backward. What about the last two years? The last 3? 5? 10? 15? And every 5 years after that?

What blessings has the Lord given you this year?

What blessings does the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Savior, bring to you and your life?

Remember...

(Clipart is from Microsoft Clipart)

What is Prayer Journaling?

Prayer Journaling is writing out your prayers to God.

That's the simplest definition. 

The very thought of writing is an instant turn-off to some. However, what happens if you push your preconceived notions to the side and give it a try? What would it hurt?

A Watered Down Faith

Do you water down your faith? Do you hold back? Are you afraid of being viewed as a wacky Christian? (You know... One of 'those.')

Why?

How can you be more bold in your faith?

How can you be more bold in your prayers?

The Long-Haul Journey of Prayer

We might want to change our approach to prayer. Rather than the short-cut, easy way  journey of prayer where we pray for the short-term, we should be prepared for the journey of the long-haul prayer.

We need to stop giving up, getting frustrated, and blaming God or getting angry with him when things do not turn out when or how we want them.

Remember the journey is usually more important than the answer to prayer. We should always be ready to make the journey for the long-haul with our prayers. (Otherwise, why pray them at all?) The road is far more scenic and we would have missed out on a great deal if we took the short-cut. The short-cuts are for the weak in faith. The long-haul journey is for the individual who wants to get the most out of the journey with the Lord. 

Never give up. Keep Matthew 7:7 in mind and A-S-K (ask-seek-knock) until the prayer is answered to its completion. Keep praying. 

Pray the distance. The journey is quite worthwhile--and you'll make new and special memories along the way.