Jeff's Pathetic Prayers

11/3/2017

Jeff's Pathetic Prayers

A while back my wife Mary and I were reading Max Lucado's book He Still Moves Stones. Let me paraphrase the words of Max Lucado. The honest prayer of a hurting man, the feeble prayer of a righteous man.. the awkward prayer of the average joe/jane, the timid prayer of those emotionally/spiritually broken down.. the sincere prayer of a sinner, EVEN a 'pathetic prayer of Jeff' .. HAS GREAT POWER and WONDERFUL RESULTS.

This rambling paraphrase is of James 5:16, and gleaned from the truths found in Mark 9. Take time to read both.

Max also writes ..Our prayers may be awkward, our attempts may be feeble. BUT since the power of prayer is in the one who 'hears' it and not the one who 'says' it, our prayers make a difference.

That is great news for folk like me as lately I have been pressed with a certain situation at work. It has caused a great tension in me, and though I know I am told to work as unto the Lord and not man my emotions are not there. In layman terms, I HATE MY JOB.

I know, I know Jeff is 60 years old and as a 'good christian' he should not feel that way, but he does, I mean, I DO. So I pray what I think must a Christian version of Red Green's Man Prayer. I am a man, I can change, if I have to, I guess.. amen.

Though I share this with a smirk.. it is all very true. If I am honest, I do hate my job but am praying about it. God is telling me what I need to change, and I am convicted of this, but it's not just as easy as flipping a switch in my heart and soul... and my circumstances.

Anyways so I say my sincere prayers to God that when the words leave my mouth may sound pathetic.. but I believe God is working in ME and in my situation.

So do you ever say pathetic prayers. I am sure you don't, it's only me right? But if you do say prayers that are simply HELP! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO! That's ok, because God does.

So let's unite in our prayer lives and pray with confidence to a God who loves you perfectly as our Heavenly Father. Even when you have pathetic moments like I do.

Blessings

Jeff (in need of HELP) Larson

10 Comments

Cynthia

11/4/2017 08:47:38 am

Thank you for this post! Only this morning as I got out of bed did my thoughts wonder to this same subject as it has several times in the past few months. Even when my prayers are weak my God is strong!

Jeff

11/4/2017 09:02:06 am

Thanks Cynthia, the good thing about Christians is it like one big Recovery Club. We are all in this together, and we have much in common.

Blessings

Jeff

Elaine

11/4/2017 09:36:12 am

Praying for you, Jeff. You really oughta come South about this time every year. :)

Art

11/4/2017 09:57:48 am

Nice to see you posting regularly again.

Jeff

11/4/2017 10:55:46 am

Thank you. Trying to be diligent about sharing my faith.

Elaine

11/4/2017 11:32:41 am

THANKS for sharing your hurdles. I'm in a position of having to change churches (can't see to drive at night anymore) and really struggling with it.

Catherine LaMee

11/4/2017 12:26:17 pm

Jeff,
I lead Prayer Warriors at my church, and have learned to pray aloud
in the presence of others. I am glad for the Holy Spirit to help me to
pray and for the courage to pray in front of others. Glad that God does not 'grade' our prayers. Keep praying and seeking God's will for your life.
Cathi

Doris Ehlenfeldt

11/4/2017 09:37:16 pm

Hi Jeff,
It's good to see the Back Pew Guy in my inbox again.
I also struggled in this area recently and had to have the reminder that we are commanded to pray - but it's our hearts not our feeble attempts to get it right that counts.

Debi Derrick

11/8/2017 07:52:14 pm

These days those feelings hit a lot of us awfully hard. I am grateful to say that after 20 years on my job, I'm in a position that has a really kind management team. Who woulda' thunk it? But I still struggle as I try to make up retirement lost to the recession and a house that turned out to be a money pit. I am so ready to retire! Yet I can't. But I found a certain release or turning of the attitude from the Holy Spirit that prompted me to use the same command as for personal relationships--to pray for my enemies. So now, every morning I'm praying as I go to work for God to help me be a blessing to my boss and that we will have favor with one anther. I pray that I will bring honor to my company; that he will 'set a watch on the door of my lips' so I don't embarrass either one of us (me & God), and that the Lord will help my old brain absorb all the new technology info it needs to keep doing a good job until I can retire--with honor. It's made a difference.

jeff

11/10/2017 12:42:25 pm

thank you for sharing. I do struggle to stay positive but I am convicted and prayerfully am doing some better

Jeff's Pathetic Prayers

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