Clairmont Patsy - Praying with Power

Copyright 2003 Thomas Nelson.

Previously Published as Adventurous Prayer.

The publishers are grateful to Christa Kinde for her collaboration, writing skills, and editorial help in developing the content for this book.

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Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV). Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NCV are taken from The Holy Bible: New Century Version, (NCV). Copyright 1987, 1988, 1991 by W Publishing Group, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT). Copyright 1986 by the Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 60189. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-310-68259-2

ISBN: 978-0-310-68260-8 (eBook)

First Printing May 2016

In this ebook edition, please use your devices note-taking function to record your thoughts wherever you see the bracketed instructions [Your Notes] or [Your Response Here]. Use your devices highlighting function to record your response whenever you are asked to checkmark, circle, underline, or otherwise indicate your answer(s).

CONTENTS

I confess it is my tendency to scamper about in my world like the time-driven rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. A lot of folks think I sport ten-speed tennis shoes because Im constantly shifting into high gear leaving behind my signature in a trail of skid marks. So you can only imagine how difficult it is when you add my proclivity for lights, camera, to my action-packed life, to park long enough to pray. And while I have found it goes against my wiring to pause and ponder Ive also found its hazardous not to. I mean left to my own devices, Im dangerous. Besides Id wear out all my parts in no time the way I beat a path. Prayer is my link to sanity, stability, and longevity.

Am I suggesting we live longer when we pray? Possibly. Theres nothing like quiet reflective moments to encourage our blood pressures to stop percolating, our hearts to fall back into rhythm, and our minds to stop gyrating. Then add to all of that the untold benefits of loving exchanges with our all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful God. He who assigns our days and redeems our losses has a way of calming our anxieties and even healing our infirmities.

I love that the Lord is not only hospitable but He is invitational. Thats probably why he is said to be The Door. Jesus makes our entrance to the Father possible. He knew we would need time in His presence where we could step out of the whirlwind and into His consoling company. It is there, as we lean our heads upon his breast, that we are both deeply heard and deeply understood.

In the pages ahead we will explore journaling prayers, prayer attitudes, and how to pray our way through a desert or a valley. Well also get up-close and personal in Two-way Conversations and learn how to survive and yes, even enjoy, those times when were put on the spot to pray out loud. Eek! Well learn how God answers us even when we cant hear Him saying a thing and well be reminded that we never grow so old that we dont need to take time to say thank you.

Listen, why dont we park our Reeboks, turn off our cellphones (Please!), and allow the tension in our encumbered shoulders to begin to melt away. There is One who awaits us, delights in us, and longs for our undivided attention. And I dont know about you but in this tainted world (and Im one of the tainters), I need some holy moments. I need my sin-sick heart washed cleaner than the fresh fallen snow outside my winter window. I long for the heavenly perspective that allows me to see beyond my stuck places. I even welcome divine correction where Ive stepped off the path so I can find my way back. And I desire to recognize more quickly the eternal voice of the Lord over the din of this world and the racket in my head.

So please friends, come join me as we learn how to enter the privileged sanctuary of prayer.

Patsy Clairmont

Prayer is reaching out to touch Someonenamely, your Creator. In the process He touches you.

Barbara Johnson

Whats the big deal about prayer? We know we should all do it more often, take it more seriously, and give it more timebut we dont. Does this mean prayer is optional? After all, some of the other spiritual disciplines seem pretty outdated, like fasting and solitude. Who has time for that? That kind of stuff is for monks, nuns, and pastors. Weve gotten along okay without it.

So, does prayer fit into the non-essentials of the Christian walk? Prayer must be an in case of emergency last resort kind of spiritual tool. Right?

No way!

Prayer isnt some kind of requirement for believers. It is a privilege! You have the ear of the Divine. Prayer is our path to the adventure of building a relationship with our Savior.

God knows whats going on in your life. The Creator of everything stoops to hear the lisping of toddlers. The Sustainer of every living thing hears the groans and sighs of the aging. He is aware of every thought, every choice, every move you makebut He is waiting for you to turn to Him and tell Him about it.

God listens to you. He will answer you.

Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened. But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer and did not withdraw his unfailing love from me.

Psalm 66:1620, NLT

CALL TO ME, AND I WILL ANSWER YOU, AND SHOW YOU GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS, WHICH YOU DO NOT KNOW.

Jeremiah 33:3, NKJV

CLEARING THE COBWEBS

Who is the first person you turn to when you have a piece of wonderful news to share? Your mother? Your sister? Your best friend?

J ohn says the only reason we love God is because He first loved us. In the same way, we could not pray to our Heavenly Father if He had not first asked us to do so. Call to me, invites our Heavenly Father. It is an invitation to pray. He has made Himself available to us 24/7/365. He has put out the welcome mat. He has given us the green light. We have a direct line to His throne room. We have a permission slip, a backstage pass, an engraved invitation. He has an open door policy for all of His children. And when we do call out His name, He gives us His undivided attention.