Wisdom's Zen
 |
A Prayer Request
|
Please pray for and support Cassie Lynn Carneal
Coming soon: After All Is Said,
a new way for the heart to say what words cannot express...
Thom's Thoughts on Prayer...
Prayer is an interesting concept. It is, by definition, communication with God. Many people consider it to be "speaking to God" with its complement, meditation, being "listening to God." As true as this may be, prayer involves much more than simply forming words or uttering thoughts. It is a deliberate act of will from the heart of the created directed towards the Heart of the Creator.
Biblical prayer exists in numerous forms. There are prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of petition, prayers of adoration, prayers for comfort and healing, as well as others that can be categorized further. Thus, Biblical prayer is focused on more than just requests; it operates in other ways than simply in those to modify situations. It may be an outpouring of discontent or misplaced anger; it may be a request for answers; and it may be no more than realizing the presence of the Father in one's life and responding accordingly, as one would to a good friend.
Many Christians believe in the concept of prayer as a "means by which to free the hands of God." Although this is a noble idea when perceived in terms of motivation and encouragement, it may be missing a larger point. As created beings we do not have any control or authority over the Creator. In fact we have no right to demand anything of Him other than what He has promised to us. As much as it is known that God responds to our prayers by answering them in various ways, the idea of somehow forcing or "allowing" the Father to do something is quite a magnanimous thought. God does not change His Mind (Numbers 23:19, I Samuel 15:29, Malachi 3:6), since He keeps His promises, and we cannot expect to be able to mold Him to our own wishes. He is not some "cosmic genie" who works for us; we are His servants.
The true effect in prayer may not be what it can do for us, but rather what it can do to us. Each time we open ourselves to experiencing the Divine through the medium of prayer, we grow closer to the Father. We have been instructed to pray. And, within the instruction towards the activity of prayer, there is an inherent component of relationship. Prayer builds relationship--relationship with the Father and relationship with the truest sense of ourselves. Humility is what God desires. However, He does not want humility as an end in itself, even though His magnificence is far greater than what we can comprehend. He wants humility from us because of its vulnerability. Vulnerability leads to honesty, and honesty is at the core of the Heart of God. Thus, when we pray properly, we are experiencing the Nature of the Creator, the ultimate goal-the destination--of our Faith.
It is important to remember that, although He has set natural laws into motion, God is intimately involved with His Creation. There is not a moment when He is unconcerned or a place where He is not present. The life we experience on a daily basis, moreover, attests to His personality, whether or not we can ascertain or otherwise recognize it. It is only an inability to accept this, as in the case of a Deist view, for example, where there is difficulty in appreciating Him fully. Many find themselves trying to understand the "why" of a situation at the expense of the "Who." For in the Creator we find the Eternal Now, where all things occur for His Greater Purpose. Prayer cannot change His Plan; it can change our view of it. And, perhaps, that in itself is even more powerful.
Thom's Prayers...
A Prayer of Dependence
A Prayer of Thanks
A Prayer for Healing
A Prayer for Courage
Prayer 5 |
Prayer 6
Prayer 7
Prayer 8
Prayer 9
Prayer 10 |
A Prayer of Dependence
Copyright © 2000, Thom ArmentroutFather,
Grant me the ability
To see You in my life,
To know that You
Are where I am,
And where I am not.
Allow me to trust You
For guidance,
And for strength,
To rely upon Your Wisdom
And not upon my own.
Surround me with Your Presence,
Embrace me in my weakness,
Comfort me in the Love
That only You possess.
You have been with me
And beside me,
Never too close to prevent me,
Never too far to cause me to doubt.
Ultimately, it is I who leaves You,
For You have always been,
And are,
And will be
My Protector,
My Companion,
My Friend.
You have taught me that my fears
Are my only limits,
Still I resist this Truth,
I resist You.
I try to direct
My thoughts,
My hopes,
My steps,
On my own.
Yet You are there
And here,
Whispering,
Smiling,
Dancing,
Entreating me to accept.
Permit me to recognize
The part of You within me,
The gift that You formed
To make me more
Than I think I am.
Can I be greater than
What I see,
What I taste,
What I smell,
What I hear,
What I touch?
I get lost in my struggles,
My days are filled with problems,
But You have promised
To see that my needs are met.
Help me to be
Who I should be,
What I can be,
When I need to be,
How You want me to be,
And Why I will be.
Truly You are
My everything.
Show me the Way,
As I am lost without You.
Through Christ,
Amen
Top of Page
A Prayer of Thanks
Copyright © 2000, Thom ArmentroutFather,
I approach You now,
Considering and reflecting upon
All that You have given to me,
All that You have done for me, and
Remembering all of the times
You have been beside me.
I am overwhelmed in your Presence,
I am amazed at your Love.
I feel insignificant in Your Creation,
Yet I am so important in Your Eyes;
So important that
I am allowed to speak with You.
When I think of myself,
I am compelled to think of You.
For in all the space
That I find myself,
You are always there.
You feed me when I am hungry,
You cover me when I am cold.
You brighten my day when I am sad,
You encourage me when I am weak.
When I am proud
Of what I have said,
Or of what I have received,
Or for what I have worked,
It is You who has made it so.
Truly,
You are everywhere,
And in everything,
All of the time.
I see You in a sunrise,
I see You in a sunset.
I hear You in the laughter of children,
I feel You in the warmth of a summer breeze.
I know that You are in my heart
Whenever I move beyond myself.
In You I take refuge,
By You I find Peace.
You are content
When I seek You,
But my words
Are not enough
To show You
How grateful I am
For You,
For Your Love,
For my life.
Through Christ,
Amen
Top of Page
A Prayer for Healing
A prayer for healing is coming soon...
Top of Page
A Prayer for Courage (and Direction)
A prayer for courage (and direction) is coming soon...
Top of Page
Prayer 5
A prayer is coming soon...
Top of Page
Prayer 6
A prayer is coming soon...
Top of Page
Prayer 7
A prayer is coming soon...
Top of Page
Prayer 8
A prayer is coming soon...
Top of Page
Prayer 9
A prayer is coming soon...
Top of Page
Prayer 10
A prayer is coming soon...
Top of Page
Copyright © 2000 - 2003, Thom Armentrout. All rights reserved.
This page was most recently updated on July 19, 2003.