Advanced Prayers
I saw an interesting sign on the way home this week.
I live in a small town on the east coast of Florida, in a big subdivision that makes up most of the town. But there is a tract of land that borders the subdivision that is so rural it has cows and horses on the property. They graze so close to the road, behind a fence that looks insubstantial if they wanted to push it down. I've caught myself staring at them and nearly run off the road. I love the atmosphere of feeling so close to the country yet still a part of a town.
Anyway, the other day, I didn't see any of the horses and cows out. I figure they were probably hanging out in the shade of trees on a hot Florida summer day. So I found a sign catching my eye. It said "Advanced Prayers." I blinked and realized it said "Advanced Pavers" instead -- you know, the manufactured landscaping stones. I started wondering about what an advanced prayer might be.
I remember the kind of prayers that I prayed when I was a child. Prayers were usually simple and asked for simple things: requests for God to bring me something I wanted like a puppy for my birthday, a special treat, that sort of thing.
Advanced prayers. I imagine those to be when we, as adults, pray for others -- for the safety and health of a loved one, for family and friends and even strangers who are experiencing the loss of jobs and homes and supposed security, for peace in a sometimes chaotic world. We move from wanting things for ourselves to wanting good for others. And we seek a relationship that is more advanced with our God, where we know Him as more than a giver of things.
I expect that I will be looking at that sign a few more times this week, even if the horses and cows are out where I can see them. I want to explore more what advanced prayers I should be praying. For while we are God's children and I believe He loves His children, He is, like those of us on earth, even prouder of us when we pray advanced prayers.
What advanced prayer have you prayed lately?
I live in a small town on the east coast of Florida, in a big subdivision that makes up most of the town. But there is a tract of land that borders the subdivision that is so rural it has cows and horses on the property. They graze so close to the road, behind a fence that looks insubstantial if they wanted to push it down. I've caught myself staring at them and nearly run off the road. I love the atmosphere of feeling so close to the country yet still a part of a town.
Anyway, the other day, I didn't see any of the horses and cows out. I figure they were probably hanging out in the shade of trees on a hot Florida summer day. So I found a sign catching my eye. It said "Advanced Prayers." I blinked and realized it said "Advanced Pavers" instead -- you know, the manufactured landscaping stones. I started wondering about what an advanced prayer might be.
I remember the kind of prayers that I prayed when I was a child. Prayers were usually simple and asked for simple things: requests for God to bring me something I wanted like a puppy for my birthday, a special treat, that sort of thing.
Advanced prayers. I imagine those to be when we, as adults, pray for others -- for the safety and health of a loved one, for family and friends and even strangers who are experiencing the loss of jobs and homes and supposed security, for peace in a sometimes chaotic world. We move from wanting things for ourselves to wanting good for others. And we seek a relationship that is more advanced with our God, where we know Him as more than a giver of things.
I expect that I will be looking at that sign a few more times this week, even if the horses and cows are out where I can see them. I want to explore more what advanced prayers I should be praying. For while we are God's children and I believe He loves His children, He is, like those of us on earth, even prouder of us when we pray advanced prayers.
What advanced prayer have you prayed lately?
Posted by Barbara Cameron at 9/17/2009 8:35 PM 
Categories: An Amish Christmas, Amish fiction, Barbara Cameron, Kathleen Fuller, Beth Wiseman
Tags: Amish fiction Amish novellas
Categories: An Amish Christmas, Amish fiction, Barbara Cameron, Kathleen Fuller, Beth Wiseman
Tags: Amish fiction Amish novellas
I usually say a prayer on my way to work asking the Lord to give me a good day and protect me while I'm driving to work.
Debbie
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Debbie,
I do that, too! If I'm not leaving the house it sometimes takes a little longer to remember it -- I've somehow made it more of a routine in the car I guess because of safety but I still do it each day. I say a prayer of gratitude for the day, then ask for a safe trip, then for a productive day. Sometimes later, I'll even try a "do over" if the day is not going the way I want.
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My advanced prayer I pray daily is for my oldest daughter, she's 20, has epilepsy and is bipolar. She has uncontrollable seizures. Medications aren't working and it sucks the life out of her. She spends most her days in bed. No energy and suffering side effects from the seizures (headache, extreme tiredness, loss of muscle and nausea) and all the medications she is on. She can't go places and do things like the rest of us do. She has lost all her friends, except her boyfriend (which I than God for him too). It has been a rough 20 years but she's my gift from God!! Blessings, CarolG
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Hi CarolG,
You and your daughter are certainly going through a challenging time. She is lucky to have a mom who cares for her so much. I believe prayer is the highest form of love we can show for our children -- for anyone, really.
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Everyday in answer to your question as you probably know while I especially enjoyed "seeing" that sign on the rural road with you - thanks for taking me there. So many prayers and to think that "whatsoever you ask in my name (believing) and it shall be given unto you" is such awesome power given to us that we have to be careful what we do pray for, about. Have a great weekend.
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Judith,
Thanks for writing! I have surely found out the hard way to be careful what I pray for and about! :
Barbara
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Prayer is how I start my day. This year I started using the Guidepost Daily Devotional. So many diffrent people share through the year it has really help me see things in a new light.
I believe Prayer is the most important thing to do. Many times people will say, they want to help someone but what can they do?? I always say you can start praying for them and see what God will lead you to.... They don't see that as help..I always find if I can stop myself and let God go first it works out best. I prayer for people everyday and add people as they need me to. I also will pray during the day. When I lay down at night I pray a prayer of thanksgiving that I made it through with his help. I think prayer keeps me in a positive mood. Yes I have my down times and I try to give them to God and get back on the right path. I believe the devil hates us to pray because it is more powerful than we know.
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My great-great-niece was born 2 mos.ago with Downs Syndrome and had open heart surgery yesterday. Our whole family has been praying for 2 mos. about this needed surgery. PTL she came thru with flying colors and is expected to do well. This was some 'advanced praying', I'd say!!
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