A PRAYING FAMILY

By Vernalee

Communicate with God. Read the Word. Pray incessantly. Teach your family how to pray and pray with them. Sometimes, it’s important to “go back to the old fashioned stuff.” My Mother taught my siblings and me how to pray. We saw her get on her knees by the side of her bed. Before long, we did the same. She always reminded us, “Don’t forget to say your prayers.“ When we sat at the table, you couldn’t pick up your fork and eat before grace was said. These were values being taught before our very eyes; values that were ingrained in us; values that became habits; habits that I would take with me when I left the soils of Mississippi; lessons that I passed down to my family. Nothing and I mean nothing beats sound generational family values. I learned to put God first. Though I cannot "sing a lick," I also learned to praise him with my voice of familiar hymns. I remember my Mother singing gospel hymns while she cooked. Her emotions were reflected in every word as she bellowed, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; “Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above

Memories help position us where we need to be. They keep us grounded.

If our heads swell to make us think that we know it all and that we do not need anyone,

it is then that we need prayer the most.

It is then that I am reminded of the old folks' sage wisdom. "Come down off your high horse! You need God in your life. You need his guidance and direction not just today but everyday. Child, life is so much easier when we follow his Word. We can’t do it on our own." As a family, we should pray together when there is opportunity. Family prayer not only shows love; it unifies us as we honor God by putting him first. Yes ... A family that prays together, stays together!

Happy Sunday! Blessings. Photo reprint: www.musefinds.co

GOD WILL PLACE YOUR ENEMIES AT YOUR FOOTSTOOL

By Vernalee

Following her southern spiritual roots, my Mother always told us, “Trust in the Lord with all your Heart. Put it in his hands. Leave it there. Stop worrying. When trouble comes your way, Jesus will fix it."

Those simple words are all so true. There are so many sources of worry; so many enemies. We should pray, worry not, and put all of our troubles in God’s hands. Placing our faith in God and anchoring our souls in the cushions of his Word will give us the strength of endurance. Neither God nor His Word will ever fail. Now then, exactly, what does "placing your enemies at your footstool" mean? The idea of your enemy being your footstool was derived from historical war illustrations. “Whenever an enemy was conquered, he would become the slave of the conqueror and would bow down and allow the conqueror to place his feet on his back as a sign of submission. By placing your enemies as your footstool, God is saying that He will give you the victory over your enemies.” There are 22 related scriptures regarding God making your enemies your footstool. Psalms 110:1 states: The LORD says: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” Throw your burdens and worries on the Lord. Go and let God! Have faith. He will see you through! He will order your steps! Walk in the spirit of the Lord!

Oh Yes, He will fix it! Blessings! Photo credit: www.kushielverse.co

HOW TO PRAY

By Vernalee

Prayer, simply put, is conversation with God. Having said that, shouldn’t we be doing it in a way that pleases Him? We should learn how to talk with Him, and share our concerns, fears, desires, troubles, pleas, and our every thought. We should pray to God freely.

The Bible says a lot about prayer, including Jesus’ words on how to pray. His model, The Lord’s Prayer is found in Matthew 6:9-13.

It reads: 9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” How powerful are those words!

“We want God to hear sincerity in our prayer, not vanity. As we pray, let’s stay steadfastly humble before the Lord. Fortunately, God extends mercy to everyone who comes to Him in repentance.”  Bottom line: God is concerned with the heart of a person. So next time you go to God in prayer, ask yourself, am I humble or proud? Either way, it’s a chance to get right with Him.”

It is important for us to pray; incessantly at that.

However we do it - on our knees, in the car, in the shower, standing, sitting ... It doesn't matter. What matters is that we go to God in prayer. We can never pray enough. Never!

Amen.

Blessings!

Photo credit: www.barbdahlgreen.com; Source: www.cbn.com; The Bible.