This post’s Scripture passage reference: Psalm 119:145-152.
I gave a friend a journal quite a while back. She was not really into journaling. I told her she could write prayer requests in it. Some time later she mentioned that when she first started writing in the journal she was mostly writing prayer requests and requesting things from God. She said what she came to realize was basically all she was doing was asking.
Then she changed how she was writing in her journal. She added in praising instead of always just asking for something. She said that changed it for her. I think it made journaling more of a communication tool.
My biggest spiritual growth came in my early forties from a simple journal. Each page had a Bible verse and a question that was designed to draw me closer to my Lord. By the time I finished with the journal, I had started on the path toward a more intimate relationship with Christ. I used it much as my friend did hers. I wrote requests and praises, sometimes scripture. It became a prayer journal, a way for me to cry out to God, to praise Him, even a way to acknowledge His faithfulness.
As we see in Psalm 119:145-152, the psalmist was writing his prayer to the Lord as a Psalm (which is a song, poem or a prayer.) He was crying out to God with all of his being, begging Him to hear his plea. He affirmed again that he would keep the statues of the Lord. Again he cried for the Lord to save him so that he would be able to keep His testimonies.
The psalmist would rise in the early part of the morning, before the dawn. He groaned unto the Lord declaring his hope in His Word. He would stay up late into the night to meditate on His Word.
He beseeched the Lord again, because of His lovingkindness to revive him according to His judgement. He told the Lord those that planned evil devices, and were so far from His Law, were closing in on him. He did not hesitate to bear his whole heart to the Lord. His prayer journal has stood the test of time for thousands of years.
He testified to the Truth that the Lord is near and that His commandments are faithful and good. He praised the testimonies of the Lord, that have been since the ancient days, knowing that the Lord established them and they will last forever.
Finding a set time each day to commune with the Lord can be challenging. Part of the challenge we face could be scheduling. We tend to schedule time in our lives for everything else. Making a designated time for prayer should be a priority for us. The psalmist liked getting up very early, before the day began. We see in the New Testament that Jesus did the same thing. There are a few reasons that mornings are a good time to connect with the Lord. We haven’t had time to get into the day yet, so we are probably more undisturbed without the stresses of the day filling our minds. It is good to get God in our minds before anything else for the day. How much do we want to sacrifice to have that time with Him? It doesn’t have to be an activity that takes a long time, and it doesn’t have to be in the morning, but the time itself needs to be reflective and thoughtful—quality time committed to our relationship with the Lord.
How can we apply this to our lives? As the psalmist did, during the times we do spend with the Lord, make it count. As those that have pledged to follow Christ, we need to resolve to study God’s Word, stay in communion with Him and follow the precepts that He has given us. If we intentionally put quality time into our relationship with Christ, we will find that our lives will be changed. Start small. Grab a notebook and a pen. Write prayer needs for others, prayer needs for yourself, Scriptures that speak to you and praises to the awesomeness of our God!
What does this mean to my faith? My faith is strengthened when I realize that God listens to my heart. My prayers do not have to be long, eloquent, perfectly spoken or filled with biblical words. He is my friend and He does want to hear from me. Whether my words are written in a journal, spoken out loud or even written in a blog post, I just have to speak to God from my heart and He gets it.
Lord, I thank You that You are my Hope. You have been faithful to me throughout my Life. My Prayer today is that I will always be faithful to You, and that I will always make time to spend in relationship with You.
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“145 I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes. 146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. 147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. 148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. 149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O Lord, quicken me according to thy judgment. 150 They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law. 151 Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth. 152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.” Psalm 119:145-152 (KJV)
“With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” Psalm 119:10 (KJV)
“And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (KJV)
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 (KJV)
“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” Luke 21:33 (KJV)
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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.
What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe? Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him? You can know Him. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity. You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.
Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ! PeaceWithGod.net
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Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 