Reflections/Prayers

I'm up early before church to capture a few "me" moments before the family begins to stir. My heart is heavy for a few people that are in my life that shall remain nameless, God knows who they are though. Today before church I'd like to say (type) my specific prayer, some skeptics say "really" typing prayers??? I know that in any form God hears and knows them b/c he knows my heart and feelings even as I think things, so I guess really getting them out is for me and to help heal the heaviness I'm been feeling about these specific people/things.

I know there are people around me carrying anger, hurt, resentfulness and bitterness. Probably more than I actually know, heck sometimes I even struggle with these things. Today I send myself a reminder that it doesn't have to be this way, God offers you shelter and as he states many times in the Bible "DO NOT BE AFRAID". Do not be afraid to let go of old hurts and pain. God wants you to feel the relief of being at peace. It really weighs on my heart for people that I deeply care about to feel these things. Some carry it all over them and being around them for one minute you know that they have these feelings, some carry it deep inside and it only rears its ugly head every once in awhile. Either way, my prayer this morning is that myself, when I have these feelings, and the people in my life that are hurting with carrying these burdens are released. (Even the ones that I don't know feel this way) Today as I head to church I'm reminded of the lyrics of a song, "break my heart for what breaks yours" (Hosanna) and I can honestly say my heart breaks for these things and people. Regardless of who you are, I hope today you feel the arms of peace wrap around you and I hope that you know that the Father offers you an "out", its up to you to take a leap of faith and truly accept him. I type these things as a reminder to myself also and I pray that I will keep my eyes on Him when I feel the evil one trying to creep in and steal my joy.

Matthew 6:9-15
This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one;For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

The last verse I'd like to share is
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Maybe God has this on my heart today b/c I needed to confess that I was having feelings of resentfulness hurt and bitterness. I'd say that's probably true. If anything hopefully my words can help someone else. I've said it before and I'll say it again, we are a family of Christ Followers, we lead a blessed life, its not perfect by any means and we sure don't claim it to be but its a good life.

Have a great Sunday!! :)