Monday, April 13, 2009

Conversations with God

Each day, we talk to our parents, we talk to our friends, we even talk to strangers, but how often do we talk to God? Is God someone we go to only when we really need something, or someone with whom we have constant conversation?

Over the next 25 days, I challenge you to increase your conversation with God. Each day, set your watch so that it goes off every hour. When the alarm sounds, spend a moment in prayer with God. It doesn't have to be long. It doesn't have to be complex. It can simply be a quick praise of God, thank you to God, request from God, or whatever else is inspired in your heart at that moment.

I know that once an hour sounds like a lot, but let me assure you, the benefits are well worth the effort. As time passes, you will find that prayer will become easier and more fluid. You will find yourself needing your alarm less and less as prayer becomes more and more a part of who you are.

Feel free to personalize your period of prayer. Perhaps you may choose to do 25 days of prayer for 25 people. Maybe you spend each day rotating through subjects. Or you could just want to experience the freedom to pray as the Spirit leads. Whatever your style and duration, there is no wrong way to participate in this experience.

This blog is set up both as a place for you to offer prayers to God, and as a place for you to share with others the ways in which God has responded to your prayers. Simply click on the comments button below to post a response (it's just to the right of where it says "posted by CHESTERUMC at ...").

I pray that God will move you to take up this challenge and will bless you as you participate.

In Christ,
Pastor Brandon

21 comments:

  1. We aren't all called to live in a tent in the middle of nowhere. As Christians we should feel responsible for missions. I was a great witness to mission this weekend. Youth worked hard to pick up trash along Ecoff Road. It is so exciting to see them grow closer to God.

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  2. Thank you God for Brandon and Your words delivered through his sermon last Sunday. May we embrace this challenge as an opportunity to grow in our relationship with You.

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  3. Praise God for the power to move us to action. There are times when our faith is a personal intimate journey. There are times when our faith requires that we take action and step out of our comfort zone. Thank God for both times.

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  4. The sun is out and I know that you are smiling at me today. Thank you.

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  5. Dear Papa

    You are amazing. I cannot comprehend.

    Thank you.

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  6. Dear Lord, remind me to lift Christ up in all that I do. It's not about me. It's about Him.

    Thank you.

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  7. Thank you Lord for the blessings you have given me today.

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  8. Thank you for my husband,Lord. He drives me crazy but I love him. And I think you want us to be together in this adventure.

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  9. Lord, help us remember that we should praise you in everything that we do, that it is all for Your Glory!! Thank you for loving me just the way I am!

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  10. The sun is shining and I praise you Lord.

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  11. Lord, forgive me for not following through in my hourly prayers. Amazingly though, I still feel You closer to me even when I pray every few hours. I can only imagine what it'll feel like when hourly prayers become ingrained in me!

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  12. Lord grant me the wisdom to let go of old wounds.

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  13. What a glorious day, Lord. Thank you for your creation.

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  14. I understand what Papa is saying in "The Shack", but it is VERY hard to have that kind of relationship with God, whom we cannot see, when every road to developing one with flesh-and-blood people, whom we can see, is blocked at every turn. It was so hard to listen to "You've Got a Friend" and know that everyone who could brighten up my dark hours is no longer a part of my life. My job and living situations block every opportunity to find new friends.

    I pray daily (more like hourly) for a new door to open, but one never does. Thank God, the church has always been a part of my life and alcohol has never been or I would be in BIG trouble!

    Please, Lord, bring these issues to a rapid and positive resolution so that like Mack, my Great Sadness will be replaced by the joy that I once knew.

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  15. Lord, the message that is brought to us in the book "The Shack" is such a blessing. It really helps to have such a basic guide to outline what a relationship with you is all about. I am so thankful you have given us a ministry team to guide us in this journey.

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  16. Thank you so much for the blessings of health for my Aunt. Her life is a gift to this world and we thank you. All of her patients/clients thank you. I pray that Your will be done, in her life. May she be free of fear, free of sadness and full of joy.

    Amen.

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  17. I woke up this morning! Thank you Lord.

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  18. We continue to pray for Josh's speedy recovery.
    Thank you for the gift he brings to our church, in Your name.

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  19. Thank you for your mysterious ways. I love learning more about you!

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  20. What a beautiful day. Thank you.

    God, help us through the tough times and help
    us to repeat, "Thy will be done."

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  21. God, help my father at this late stage of his life finally see the way through Christ to a personal relationship with you and the peace that comes from faith in your plan for us.

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