I read the sentence in my book, The Kneeling Christian, and it seemed to jump off the page and wave its arms in front of me to be sure it had gotten my attention. It had. The sentence read,

Perhaps we would criticize less if we prayed more.

I couldn’t get that quote out of my mind, nor did I want to because my thoughts tend towards criticism. Like:

Why don’t they paint that fence?
Who would want a barking dog?
Why is the service at this place so slow?
Why is the driver in front of me stopping at a green light?!

On and on I go with my list of logically critical thoughts and words, until that quote entered my heart.

Now I’m asking the Lord to help me turn that critical statement into a prayer:

“Father, I don’t know what is going on in that car of front of me, but if they’re having trouble seeing, give them strength and safety. Help me to treat them the way I would want to be treated.”

“Maybe the waitress of my table has lots of people to wait on. Lord, help me to show her your love.”

On through the day I go, turning my ugly, judgmental thoughts into prayers. And you know what? It is changing me! It gets my focus off of myself and on to others. It keeps my heart tender instead of harsh and demanding. It gives me compassion rather than condescension.  And the best part, it keeps me in close communion with my heavenly Father.

I challenge you to try it – turn your criticism around and make it a prayer. See what happens to your heart and your day!

With a prayer,
Denise

Seated beside the window of an airplane gives full view of the progress of take off. As you sit and watch the crew load ALL that luggage onto the aircraft, then see the long line of people filing on to get their seat, have you ever wondered,

“How in the world will this plane ever get off the ground? This is a heavy load!”?

But then that engine revs up,  the plane picks up speed as it heads down the run way, and then you feel it…it is lifting up off the concrete.  Very soon the nose tips upward and you’re soaring into the clouds. How could you have doubted?

That load was lifted as easily as a paper airplane in a school classroom!

Do you have a load of your own that seems so heavy that you cannot let go of it, or that seems it could never be lifted into your heavenly Father’s hands? You saw those cares filing into your heart one at a time. You know how weighty each need is. You feel responsible to see each burden to be cared for, thought through and tended to, but you realize you do not have the power for this kind of work.

It’s at that moment that you must “rev up the engine” of prayer. Pour out your heart before God in earnest. Ask Him to lift all this that you are unable to carry, and then watch as He lifts, not just the burdens, but you as well. Then you will ask,

Why did I doubt Him?

He is able to lift it all, my friend.
Psalm 10:17 O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, you will incline Your ear.

Don’t carry the load you were never intended to carry!

Lovingly,
Denise