~ EVERY Breath I Take ! ~ ..

Thank You for my life, LORD. Every breath I breathe is a gift from You - my beating heart, my pulsing blood, eyes that see, and fingers that can touch the ones' I love. *In Jesus precious Name (*because, if it wasn't for Him, I would have nothing; no hope.k.). Amen.
- 365 EVERYDAY PRAYERS (*and, Kim).

~ Pray ? ~

READ:
Philippians 4:1-9

"In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God". - Philippians 4:6

When people face trials, they often turn to prayer only as a last resort. I knew a man who was fighting a valiant battle with cancer. As people observed the gradual effect on his body and lifestyle, one person said, "Well, they've tried everything else. I guess it's time to begin praying."

Another man was going through an extremely difficult time at work. It was a crisis of major proportions that had ominous implications for him and for the future of his company. He just couldn't resolve it. Finally he said, "I've tried everything I know to get through this situation and nothing has worked. It's time to start praying."

In both of these instances, prayer was seen as a last-ditch effort to resolve the problem. Only after all other options were eliminated did the person decide to pray. It was a desperate "grasping at straws."

INSTEAD of prayer being a last resort, it should be one of the first things we do. The Lord answers prayer, and He wants us to come to Him continually with all of our needs (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The Bible tells us to "be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer . . . let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).

So don't wait. It's always time to pray! - DE

Any hour when helping others
Or when bearing heavy care
Is the time to call our Father -
It's the proper time for prayer. - Zimmerman

Prayer should be our first response rather than our last resort.

N.B. Praying continually keeps you close to God!!

~ ** POSTscript regarding Posting titled 'JANUARY 12' ** ~

My last posting titled ~ JANUARY 12 ~ is NOT a personal prayer from me!
AS listed in the labels associated with that particular blog; it was a 'daily reading' for the day (even though it's a prayer) and thought I would post it on this blog as it may be of assistance to someone. I'm sure we can relate to it in some small way during our life.
Blessings,
Kim.

* 'ENCIRCLED by Prayer' !!

'Lord things are really rough right now
But I know you're still at the bow
So much we don't understand
But Jesus, please just hold my hand.

Encircled by prayer
From friends all so dear
The peace you give
With nothing can compare.

Lord, help me not to look to far ahead
But simply just to trust instead.
And Lord you promised me today
That you will never go away
Please give me strength for each new day
Whatever comes along the way.

Lord, I know you'll bring me through
And I might learn afresh from you.
Then I can help with others too,
Those who are suffering
And don't know you.'

L. PLATT

* * PRAYER (Pray) !! * *

PRAYER: "Lord, I see that prayer is a vital necessity if I am to grow in my Christian life. I will try, Lord, never to begin a day without prayer. Help me to keep to this even when I don't feel like it. For your dear Name's sake. Amen."

(*PRAYER is: talking to God!)

PROVISION ..

"Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)".

"IN these pressure-filled days, this admonition is difficult to keep. There is such a feeling of restlessness and hurry all around us. "I must do THIS and THAT; I must go HERE and THERE. . ."

We Christians find ourselves in a real battle. It is so easy to be distracted when so many activities are crying for our time and attention. God commands us to "Be still, and know that (He is) God".

In Luke's account of Mary and Martha, we see that Martha loved Jesus Christ, but she was greatly occupied with service. She became anxious and irritable and lost the joy that should be part of serving. While Martha was bustling about and complaining, Mary sat quietly, listening to Jesus' words, experiencing the joy of getting to know her Lord and the sweetness of fellowship with Him. Jesus commended Mary for her choice.

There has to be a balance of fellowship and service. We are NOT always to sit, but when we allow service to come before our fellowship, we lose the joy of serving.

In First Corinthians 1:9, Paul tells us that God has called us into the fellowship of Christ. Regardless of the demand of duty and the invitation of many activities, it is vital to our Christian growth and joy that we spend time with Jesus. We must be still and listen to Him speak through His Word. We must always take time to express ourselves to Him in prayer!

The desire of Paul's heart was to know Christ. May this be the desire of our own hearts" (Dana JACOBSON).