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From: ptl@fluke.UUCP (Mike Andrews)
Newsgroups: net.religion.christian
Subject: Re: how should I pray?
Message-ID: <1520@vax3.fluke.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 25-Oct-85 15:56:16 EST
Article-I.D.: vax3.1520
Posted: Fri Oct 25 15:56:16 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 31-Oct-85 07:17:17 EST
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Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc., Everett, WA
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Hi Peter,

There is no magic formula, no special words that can get God to
do what we want Him to.  God has taught me that the best prayer
comes from the heart - your deepest desires spoken sincerely.

Remembering that prayer is you opening a channel for God's Grace to flow,
(God's end of the channel is always open, ready to go) you might want to
see in your `spiritual eyes' God opening His arms to you, welcoming
you into a discussion.  Then act like this is what's happening - because
it is.  Find yourself sitting down with Him, see Him listening to you -
again because He is.  Be prepared to hear Him talk back.  He speaks
in lots of ways - sometimes you'll have a new and strong desire in your
heart, or a new understanding about some question, concern or doubt you
had; answers you know you didn't make up yourself.  Sometimes
He'll speak through people He'll lead your way; sometimes He'll lead you
to something in His Word, the Bible - provided you allow yourself to
be led (give Him your freewill).  Whatever ways He chooses to use to speak
to you, be assured that they will be at the right time and in the right ways
especially for you.  Neat how He does that.  And you'll find it is important
to be honest with God, sharing your true feelings, ups, downs, good, bad,
whatever.  He doesn't `play games', or beat around the bush.  He really
cares that we choose to come to Him to seek forgiveness, healing, help, Love.

One thing you might try, ask God to help you know what to pray for.
He will.  That's what the scripture that says He'll give you the desires
of your heart means - He'll put the desires in your heart for the things
He knows are best for you.

Among other things, He'll teach you trust and patience.  Two essential
ingredients to prayer.  He'll also teach you humility - like the
times He says no to something.

And finally, but there is so much more He and others will show you as
you ASK (Ask, Seek, Knock), how you live your life, how you treat yourself,
how you treat others, how you treat God Himself, can all be forms of prayers.
There are an infinite number of ways you can pray to God - ask Him, He'll
show you.

God Bless,

Mike Andrews
-- 

******************************************************************************

   God said He would never leave me nor forsake me, and that I am His temple.

		          A man is what he thinks.

A body led by the soul is only 2/3 of a person : the soul tries to get rid of
			        the spirit.
A body led by the spirit is a whole person : the spirit works to make the soul
    help the body.  And a spirit led by God the Holy Spirit is invincible.

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