Dear Ones,
May you have a prayerful day! Al and I had a wonderful day yesterday at the lake with perfect weather and seeing friends and family. Today I plan to do food prep and go to Exercise class, Crafts and Bible study.
‘Devotions from Judy’s heart
We can all probably attest to the fact that prayer is important, but how much time do we spend listening and paying attention to what God is saying to us? I love when someone shares how they were waiting on the Lord and then I find out later what He spoke to them is confirmed by the same word given to someone else.  In years past when I was teaching a women’s group, the gal next to me brought her journal and often she had recorded the exact scriptures of what I was teaching for that day. It let me know that God had a specific word He wanted us to get.

We all need to meditate on the Word or spiritual readings, but then also move on to pray in words or in silent contemplation of being with the Lord. I’m quite sure many of us have also fallen asleep while praying or watched the clock waiting for the set time to be over. Even when we are not fully attentive to the Lord, He knows our desire when we show up and are trying to persevere.  One of my friends lights a candle when she spends time with the Lord and others may use music to help keep focused. Sometimes we experience a special touch of the Lord, and He may flood us with joy or even fill our eyes with tears. While we don’t know when those special touches will come, we may respond with thankfulness and joy.

One thing we know is that we can take off our masks before the Lord and be real with Him, for He knows our hearts, our motives and thoughts. The closeness of our relationship is much like the sharing between closest friends. We can respond to the Lord in many ways, from silently being with him, to singing loudly, leaping for joy, dancing, etc. Prayer is not discovering some special technique, but it’s really about growing in our relationship with Him. As we surrender our self-will and attachment to worldly things, the Lord will transform us more and more. Giving up our self-love will and admitting how helpless we are results in more love for God and for others.

Challenge for today: Open your heart to the Lord and “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy