Prayer is Breaking - Barriers Down

Psalm 86:1 Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 

There are many times in my life when I have truly felt poor and needy; especially the needy part. During certain seasons of living it seems every time I turn to God I am asking for something for myself. I get myself into trouble and I call upon God to get me out.

Psalm 86:2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.

Surprisingly enough, it is these times, these desperate calls for help to an ever faithful God, that have grown my faith and confidence in God. Each time I get on my knees and beg for help, every night when I pray that He would swoop down and pull from the pit I am drowning in, He shows up. God always shows up!

Psalm 86:3 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long.

Because I can count on Him to do the right thing for me, I call out to Him all the time. The little things of daily life which trip me up or surprise me He cares about. When my plan for today begins to crumble I lift up self-centered petitions and He hears me.

God is not a God to be toyed with; He isn't a genie who is expected to grant my every wish. God is love. God loves me and He loves you. I feel very comfortable talking over my daily challenges, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem. He has let me know He wants to be part of all my life.

Psalm 86:4 Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

There is a difference between joy and happiness. J.D. Salinger once said "The fact is always obvious much too late, but the most singular difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is a solid and joy a liquid." To me, this means happiness being a solid can be right in front of me and there will be times when I can embrace it and other times when it is recognizable, but just out of reach.

Joy, as a liquid, fills all the crevices of my being. Picture joy flowing through your being, surrounding your heart and filling you up. As a child of God it is one of my Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)

Psalm 85, 86, 87