The Power
This introduction chapter lets me know that I am reading the right book at the right time because it really applies to me. Like the author (pg 10), I’m a Martha by nature. Luke 10:38-42 talks about how Jesus visited the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha welcomed Jesus and started preparing a big dinner. However, Mary sat Jesus’ feet and was listening to him. After Martha complained to Jesus that Mary wasn’t helping, Jesus pretty much replied that Mary is the one that was focused on the right thing. What matters more is the time spent with him.
Anyone who knows me knows that I ALWAYS have a to-do list. I get satisfaction from being productive and crossing things off of that list. The problem with this is that my to-do list is a never-ending one… I ALWAYS have something to do!! And always being busy often comes in the way of me doing the most important thing, which is spending time with God. God has been really checking me on how I need to stop being a Martha. While being productive is good, what matters most in life is our relationship with God and building that. That is more important that school, work, working out, etc.
Furthermore, at the beginning of this year I declared that this would be my year of complete transformation and that who I was at the beginning of the year would not be who I am at the end. On page 15 in the last paragraph, she mentions how “without God’s power, we can’t transcend our limitations or get out of our rut” and this power is activated through prayer.
I encourage you all to recite the prayer that she has at the end of each chapter out loud. At first I didn’t want to because I didn’t feel like it, but then Holy Spirit reminded me that the purpose of this book is to actually PRAY (and therefore participate). So after I read it out loud it felt good to hear what I was saying!
Any thoughts? (questions, comments, revelations, …)
There were three particular topics that to which I could relate:
ReplyDelete1) Finding easier to pray for other people than it is to pray for myself. It is easier for me to identify areas I THINK other people need transformations/prayers than to identify my own. I want to better my self-validation skills, to be able to identify my own areas of improvement, therefore pray for them and watch God’s power work in me.
2) Martha & Mary: just like you Lety, I have a never-ending to-do list: I am sure you write yours down at least; I depend on my memory to remember mines and often forget them (you’d think I’d learn to write them down by now). So sometimes, I use that as an excuse not to go to Church on Sunday and accomplish things I couldn't think of throughout the week, forgetting that THE first thing on my daily to-do list has to be spending time with my Creator --> time for reprioritization!
3) I am guilty of depending on others to meet my needs. I run to my family, friends, etc … for certain needs and I get disappointed when they don't fulfill them. I only go to God when my needs are beyond people’s control (for example, getting a job – I cried out to God for that one – although there were times I started depending on networking). I just want to be able to run to Him, not be disappointed when others fail to meet my needs and realize that “the blessing I truly need come ONLY from God.”
BTW: I like your picture. This might be out of topic but how do you all feel about the power of repetitive prayer?
That's a great question and I've been thinking about it for a while. I don't have a stand as of now... For a long time I didn't believe in repetitive prayer. My thought process was that if I ask God once, there's no need to ask again because He's my Father and He got me. Most of my prayers would be straight up saying thanks as I ask (i.e. Lord, I thank you that you will keep me safe today). I'm beginning to rethink that. Only because there are many examples in the Bible where people were repetitive in pleading to God, like Hannah (Samuel's mom).
ReplyDeleteThoughts anyone?
I use repetive prayers and quotes quite often. But I don't think that alone is suffficient. I think it makes us lazy when it come to praying. I for one won't lie I say Psalm 23 and the Lords prayer almost everytime I pray. But as I grew I figured it wasn't enough so right after saying those prayers I always said a real pray after thanking God and the praying for whatever I needed. Or vice Versa.
ReplyDeleteIn accordance to the intro chapter , I just loved it like I read it twice I felt everything the author wrote had something to do with me. Most of you that know me know that I will sacrifice my meal for a hungry person instead of me it is like that with my prayers sometime I tend to pray for others more than my self or even try to spark that relationship with God him self . Yea it is good not to be selfish but praying is not only about needs its also about having a bond with the most high.Not all I never relized untill reading that I do depend on people alot or expect so much from. And when it doesn't happen I get highly disappointed. This chapter is an eye opener and I am very happy that I am reading this book.