Prisoner Set Free: Life and Life More Abundantly: Is Praying For Yourself Selfish?

Monday, June 01, 2015

Is Praying For Yourself Selfish?

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I find it odd- this philosophy that it is selfish to pray for one’s self. In fact last night as I put my head down on my pillow this philosophy was still on my mind. It did not sit right in my soul. In my mind I saw it as thorny stem.

I could be misunderstanding the perspective of such teaching but prayer- is it not communication with the LORD who is to be the source of our LIFE? To deny communication and help from the LORD is to deny LIFE itself from living within us.

As I write this word comes:

“Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” Colossians 2:8

The Lord is my strength and that is why I pray for myself, for without Him I am lost within myself and the things of this world can easily overwhelm me.

I am reminded of the Lord’s Prayer.

Jesus says: “This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

God is gives me the daily spiritual bread to sustain my faith- like I said before- a living word not a religious word.

In what manner is one praying for one's self- selfish? I am not praying to be materially rich however I am praying to be spiritually rich in Him. For the things of this life never satisfy but God who is boundless never ceases to amaze me and He will BE forever as those things of this life will disappear and vanish.

I pray for myself on a daily -sometimes even on an hourly basis. I pray that God transform my thinking that I may live as God intended. I pray for God's liberating will to work in my life. Is this selfish or is this surrendering to God to allow Spirit and truth to live in me?

I do not think praying for yourself in this manner is selfish. For if one strives only in the flesh and prays in the flesh and lives accordingly to flesh... can they see their obvious need for God? Where is the Spirit working in our life if we do not pray for ourselves to be refreshed, encouraged, inspired by God? I believe to pray in this manner (for refreshing, encouragement, inspiration, guidance, etc) is to deny our fleshly understanding and agree and consent with God’s will for our life. In deed how refreshing it is just to think about prayer in this life giving way. Now think about how a refreshed, encouraged, inspired soul behaves? It is a light that is put on a stand. It is a city on a hill. It is salty. It is a soul of beatitudes living in us!

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5&version=NLT

Thank you Lord that you are doing all these things in my soul this day! In Jesus Name Amen.

Prayer does changes things but it first starts with the one who prays.

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Journaling Along Life's Journey.

I am finding with passing fades and standards and norms that seem to continue to worsen - it is refreshing to know that there is a God that never changes.

There is a God that is just, merciful and faithful and no matter what man tries to decide on what is right, wrong and truth - God has the last word. God's standards are always true and when man tries to disregard them- they end up seeing and answering to God one way or another.

(A piece of pottery never tells it's Creator what it's going to do and going to be.)

I am also finding that even when we are at our lowest point in our life or highest point in our life- God wants us to have a relationship with us. That goes for any who have known him for many years or is beginning to take the steps to know him.

Too often I find people have already decided who God is- like he is some buffet or salad bar god (where they can pick and choose the things they want God to be or not be).

Some by their own fears and understandings have decided God is some puppeteer, distant task master and only accepts people who have it "together". But is he?

Can God who created the universe and everything in it be put in a box of our understanding? Are we only going to him when we want something from him? Is that what we did or do to our parents?.... Hope not.

God is beyond anything we can imagine or even hope for. Just look at all he has created and makes sure nothing is left up to chance.

I found him to be an invaluable friend, who is trustworthy, faithful, and wise. He is a counselor, a provider, a healer, Savior, and Father - who wants a relationship with his children.

God is Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and Holy Spirit- now try putting that truth in a box.

My hope is through my journal, notes, etc you may "get" a very small glimpse of what God has shown me... It goes without saying that God is SO BIG and beyond anything I could put down in word but I hope this may comfort, encourage, and build you up in Jesus Christ.

May you see and accept my words and testimonies to be humbly honest, genuine and from the heart of a person who has been set free by God and in turn showed me my need for Christ Jesus.

May you find the never ending gift from the Father- Jesus Christ -the Savior, who gives LIFE and eternity in Heaven.

Thank you for reading J.D. JOHNS

Do You Want to Recieve Jesus Christ?

We are sinful.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

Sin has a penalty.
"For the wages of sin is death" Romans 6:23

Christ has paid the penalty.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Salvation is a free gift.
"God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." Ephesians 2:8-9

Christ wants be your Savior but you must recieve him.
"Yet to all who recieved him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12

Do you want to recieve Jesus Christ now?
1. Admit your need. (I am a sinner)
2. Be willing to turn from your sins. (repent)
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and take control of your life through the Holy Spirit. (Recieve Him as Lord and Savior.)

(Prayer)
"Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgivness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name Amen"

If you have prayed this prayer:
1. Read your bible so you can grow in Christ's love and know him better.
2. Talk to God everyday.
3. Try to think of all the things God has done in your life, even when you weren't serving him.
4. Worship, Fellowship and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached.
5. As Christ's representatives in a needy world, depend and trust God so you may demonstrate your new life in Christ Jesus. There he will help you love and have a concern for others.

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Monday, June 01, 2015

Is Praying For Yourself Selfish?

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