This is my dog in his snuggle sack. Go ahead, say it: "Awwww!" Yes, he is every bit as adorable as he looks. But he is helpless when it comes to getting IN the snuggle sack. He will just stand there facing it until I notice and open it wide for him to crawl in. Sometimes I notice his little butt in the mirror reflection while I fix my hair. Sometimes I cross the hall into the bathroom and catch him standing there on the bed, facing the snuggle sack. I wonder how long he would stand there waiting for me! Albeit quietly, he let's me know what he needs.
Lately I've been reading and meditating on Philippians 4:6-7. I especially loved the Message version:
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
I know that prayer is more than just enumerating a list of requests and expecting God to answer. But sometimes I think we underestimate God and his desire for us to bring our requests, our concerns for others, and our needs to him. Sometimes I find myself talking to others about prayer requests more than I talk to God.
The question is often asked: if God already knows our needs, why pray? I think it's our conversation with God that matters most. You know the overwhelming relief that comes when you talk things out with a friend? Sometimes it helps just to get things off your chest. Other times, the relief comes in knowing you're not alone in your struggles. You may not find an immediate answer, but sometimes just talking helps immensely. I find the same happens when I talk to God.
Are we comfortable bringing our every concern and burden to God, secure in the fact that he already knows our weaknesses and shortcomings? Even a dog makes his needs known. How could we do less with our loving Creator?
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Making Your Requests Known
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10 comments:
That was a wonderful analogy...it's so true that sometimes we can just "stew" instead of taking our cares to the Lord.
(I was wondering...was there suppose to be a picture of your doggie? I wanna see him in his snuggle sack!)
Sad for me, I can't see his picture, but I already know he's cute. Why pray? Well,first because if Jesus did, then surely I also need to, and because he told us to, and because it puts me in a position of humility, and because when my kids come to me, and share their hearts and needs it feels wonderful, so it must feel something like that to God, and yes sharing our heart with someone who loves us so completely just feels wonderful. So we pray. xoxoxo
Yes, Bev - that was one of the things Philip Yancey said in his book on prayer: Jesus prayed. That and many more reasons.
Another wonderful, thoughtful post, Dianne. Gyver is so adorable, and I have honestly never heard of a snuggle sack, too cute. My dog would never go in one of those, he doesn't even let me put a bandana around his collar. He hates to be confined in any way.
Great post for me, I am a bad worrier and have a hard time letting it go and praying instead of worrying. Thanks for sharing all of this :)
How cute. I've never heard of a snuggle sack. Very clever.
Thanks for the post. I'm often not comfortable making my requests known to God. I struggle with thinking my requests are too small or burdensome. Crazy, I know, but true. He loves us and wants to talk to us. I have to remind myself.
Great post. I wish I could write things as thought-provoking as some of you other ladies. Have a great day!
Good stuff, Dianne. First of all MacGyver is just too adorable -- love the picture, and the story. And I love your thoughts on prayer too. If I spent as much time praying as I do grumbling or moaning or venting, I wonder what would happen? Maybe I should try it!
We had a sunday school lesson that touched on this recently...that is a good one about Jesus praying, if He does, how much more do I need to. And Don told our class that if our kids asked for something we would most gladly do it, so how much more must the Father love for us to ask. So it's for the relationship and making it stronger would be another reason too I think.
What an excellent post Dianne! I think you really summed it up when you talk about the overwhelming relief when you've talked things over with a friend.
Yes, I did say "Awwww". He is so very cute, but you're a much more patient "mommy" than me. I'd be pushing on that little back end to show him he really can get in there on his own.
Two things - first of all I CAN see his photo now - and he is adorable. I cant wait to meet him in person, and second, thank you for meeting my needs this weekend, I barely made them known at all and yet you realized them and jumped to serve me. I can't tell you how much I appreciated it. You are a dear friend. xooxox
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