On Prayer – Supplication for Self

Greetings Dear Reader,

Supplication is to ask for something with humility form someone who has the power to grant it.  As I begin to close out my prayer time I ponder what I truly would ask from a Father who has the power to grant anything.  It is easy to think of this as a want list.

Before I ask I ponder if what I want is in line with how Christ wishes me to become as his follower.  I want my desires to be in line with his.  I want my life to be molded by praying for things that matter. 

I ask for the big things that matter. Most of those are too personal to list.  They are not selfish.  They are request for things I know fall in line with the Gospel.  I ask for things that I think I need but do so with a heart willing to forsake them if necessary.  Because I would do so with a human father I also ask for things that I just want.  I end with discussing my big dreams.  I have them.

Throughout the day I also ask for help, guidance, and provision in simple things.  I try to stay in conversation with the Father all day long.  I ask for wisdom and guidance in my interactions with others.  I ask that I truly hear when I am listening to someone.  I give thanks for minor things.  I ask for what I need to get through the day following Christ.

It is not wrong to want things.  I must always work to want the right things.  As I turn my thoughts toward Thanksgiving and Advent I recall looking through the Wish Book and making my list of wants.   I hope that they are mostly more mature now.

Grown-Up Christmas List – Amy Grant

Do you remember me?

I sat upon your knee.

I wrote to you with childhood fantasies.

Well, I'm all grown up now,

But still need help somehow.

I'm not a child but my heart still can dream.

So here's my lifelong wish,

My grown-up Christmas list,

Not for myself, but for a world in need:

No more lives torn apart,

Then wars would never start,

And time would heal all hearts.

And every one would have a friend,

And right would always win,

And love would never end

This is my grown-up Christmas list.

As children we believed

The grandest sight to see

Was something lovely wrapped beneath the tree.

Well, heaven surely knows

That packages and bows

Can never heal a hurting human soul.

No more lives torn apart,

And wars would never start,

And time would heal all hearts.

And every one would have a friend,

And right would always win,

And love would never end

This is my grown-up Christmas list.

What is this illusion called, the innocence of youth?

Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth!

No more lives torn apart,

Then wars would never start,

And time would heal all hearts.

And every one would have a friend,

And right would always win,

And love would never end

This is my grown-up Christmas list.

This is my only lifelong wish,

This is my grown-up Christmas list!

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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On Prayer – Supplication for Others

Greetings Dear Reader,

When I talked about gratitude in prayer I mentioned that we all have more than we realize.   It is also true that we still have needs.  We are responsible as Christ followers to attend to the needs of others wherever possible.  Even when we cannot physically help we can pray.

I have a friend, Joy, who needs a car.  It is in my heart that were I able I would just buy here one.  I cannot so I am praying for her to get what she needs for work and family.  I believe that God will provide for her.  I believe she has a genuine need. 

Others in my life have needs.  There are the ones they acknowledge and the ones they do not.  It may sound arrogant for me to say that others have needs they do not recognize.  I try to always see this through the eyes of humility. 

I proceed from the premise that everyone needs Jesus.  This is not a judgment or a condemnation.   When I find the best of something I want others to know about it. I want everyone to know the beauty that is found in faithfully following Christ. 

Prayer for others allows me to express observed needs that I may not be able to address on my own.  I can intercede for them before a Father who loves them.  I can talk to the Father about my burdens for them and he understands far better than I. 

When I know of specific needs whether they be spiritual, emotional, or physical I pray.  I have seen that this is effective whether I tell the person I am praying or not.  I have faith that prayer works.  I can, out of love, devote part of my prayer time to the needs of others.  I do and I will.

Song to My Parents – Keith Green

I need to say these things cause I love you so

And I'm sorry you get angry when I say that you just don't know

But there's a Heaven waiting for you and me

I know it seems every time we talk I'm only trying to just make you see

And it's only that I care

I really only want just to see you there

Please try and overlook my human side

I know I'm such a bad example and you know I'm so full of pride

But Jesus isn't like that, now He's perfect all the way

I guess that's why we need him, cause by ourselves, there's just no way

And it's only that I care

I really, really only just want to see you there

To see you there

Close the doors, there're just not coming

We sent the invitations out a long, long, long time ago

We're still gonna have a wedding feast

Big enough to feed them all

The greatest people in the world just wouldn't come

So now we'll just have to invite the small

And it's only that I care

I really, really only want just to see you there

Isn't that Jesus? Isn't it Joseph and Mary's son?

Well didn't he grow up right here? He played with our children

What, he must be kidding? Thinks he a prophet

But prophets don't grow up from little boys

Do they, from little boys? Do they

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

On Prayer – Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I talk about prayer often in terms of what I do.  I thought I would revisit some methodology.  Since we are to be in a constant state of prayer (Pray without ceasing), then that is conversational.  How I do that is rather simple.

In addition I have a time set aside in the mornings for just prayer.  This is more formal and structured.  When I think through these things I do so to assure that I do not become rote or mechanical in my interactions with God.

I always try to be aware of the danger of my faith and practice becoming dead orthodoxy.  I am also committed to the power of prayer.  It is a force for change.  It is a way to increase my faith and follow more closely.

There are many ways to pray.  I do not use prescribed prayers often.  I pray honestly from the heart.  I pray intentionally from the mind.  I do not need for others to see it or approve of it.  I find it greatly rewarding when I see the results and no one knows I was praying for the situation but God.

Walk with me as I prepare my heart to celebrate Thanksgiving and Advent.  As always your questions and thoughts are welcome Dear Reader.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)