Petitioning, Penitence, Praising, & Prayer

Prayer can be such a mystery, at least for me. I learned at an early age that prayer was important.  My mom would come in each night and listen to our prayers, both my brother's and mine,at first with them being very much rote, you know the one, that starts, "Now I lay me down to sleep....", but later went on to include, "God bless grandma & grandpa, mom & dad.." which taught us to prayer for others.   I've wondered sometimes how it's all pieced together.  Just as jewel has many facets that brings light and beauty to the stone, there are many facets of the light & beauty of prayer.  Examples of these many facets are written about throughout the Bible. 

Hannah who was distraught prayed for relief from the emotional pain of not being able to conceive a child petitioned God for a son 1 Samuel 1:9-11  and King Hezekiah prayed for health and an extension of life and God granted him his request.  Isaiah 38 1-36 

Ezra and the people of Israel demonstrated their penitence when they realized that they had gone against God's will when they had married into and adopted the culture and religious practice of the people around them.  Ezra 10:1.

David offers adoration and worship through is prayers of praise.   1 Chronicles 29:10-20 

Jesus petition God continually regarding every aspect of his ministry. We read how Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

During one of these times he asked God for guidance regarding choosing his disciples.  Luke 6:12-16

One of the ways to record our prayer jewels is a prayer journal.  I'd first heard of prayer journals during a lecture of at BSF.  Our discussion leader had recommended our journaling our prayers.  Journaling can weave a tapestry of God's working in our lives.   I've seen where a prayer for a friend deciding whether or not to take a new job can lead to his offering a job to someone else who needs one.   Other threads of the tapestry can be records of healing, safe travels, guidance, and other topics that are as wide and varied as our collective lives.  It's exciting to read through past entries and see how God has worked in our lives. 

Regardless of how we communicate with God, we know that our prayers to do not go unheard and we can have faith in him.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

Beach Cathedral

               

 

Some times the best cathedrals, in which to pray are not formed by man, but instead are formed by God himself through his creation.  The sandy beach floor forms the nave for the worshippers while the wave act as the choir seated in the chancel, booming out the power and greatness of God.  The last rays of the sun paint the stain glass windows of the sky reflecting the wonder and glory of the God who placed them there, and great rocks growing out of the ocean floor as the apse and spire.

Psalm 148

¹ Praise the LORD. 
       Praise the LORD from the heavens,
       praise him in the heights above.

 ² Praise him, all his angels,
       praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

 ³ Praise him, sun and moon,
       praise him, all you shining stars.

 ⁴ Praise him, you highest heavens
       and you waters above the skies.

 ⁵ Let them praise the name of the LORD,
       for he commanded and they were created.

 ⁶ He set them in place for ever and ever;
       he gave a decree that will never pass away.

 ⁷ Praise the LORD from the earth,
       you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

 ⁸ lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
       stormy winds that do his bidding,

 ⁹ you mountains and all hills,
       fruit trees and all cedars,

 ¹⁰ wild animals and all cattle,
       small creatures and flying birds,

 ¹¹ kings of the earth and all nations,
       you princes and all rulers on earth,

 ¹² young men and maidens,
       old men and children.

 ¹³ Let them praise the name of the LORD,
       for his name alone is exalted;
       his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

 ¹⁴ He has raised up for his people a horn,  
       the praise of all his saints,
       of Israel, the people close to his heart.
       Praise the LORD.