Afraid to Pray…
“When there is little awareness of real need there is little real prayer.”
~ Donald S. Whitney from Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life ~
I told Laurel that I pondered the quote quite a bit this past weekend. I thought about it in two different ways…
One – if we think that we don’t need to pray over or for a certain situation. Whatever the reason might be, we don’t bring it before the throne of grace. For example, we have a situation under control (so we think) or we don’t want to ‘bother’ God because we think it is too small of a matter for God. There is nothing too big or too small to bring to Him – I am speaking out of experience (even if it is *just* for a password you forgot to open a computer application—He will answer 😉 )
I want to approach the topic from a different angle though. I am afraid to pray over or for certain things. I am not afraid that God doesn’t answer my prayers – I am afraid He does. His ‘track-record’ throughout human history and mine is flawless. He answered every single prayer. Maybe not the way His people or I would have liked, nonetheless He answered.
One of the things I do not get on my knees for is to write. I am not talking about writing here on Laced with Grace, my Blog, or on CWO (I pray over every single post before I hit the publish button)…I mean write a book—a devotional book. What if I really would get down on my knees; would earnestly pray over it—not just *talking* about it. I am afraid that God just might open the doors — than what? I know I would chicken out!
As am writing this post I am wondering why I am so afraid of praying over realizing a dream. God is God; I should not be afraid of what He can do with my life…
“…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Maybe I should just get down on my knees to pray easterly for His guidance and His blessing on this project. What is the worst that could happen? Only that it does not get published.
How about you? Are you afraid to pray over a certain issue or area in your life? Are you afraid that He might just answer that prayer?
Lord of Heaven and Earth. You promised in Isaiah that You would give strength and that You uphold me with Your righteous right hand. Lord, I am asking You to guide me in my prayer life. Let me bring the small and the big issues to You without being afraid of Your power. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen.
Please visit my friend Laurel at Laurel Wreath to read her take on this week’s IOW quote, and the thoughts of other Christian women Bloggers as they are sharing their own thoughts…
Blessings on your day and as always…
Enjoyed this post my friend.
Oh yes! I have said before I’m afraid to ask for it because He might say yes. Why is it that little children will ask for anything, and we won’t? Is it the trust that God will do it? Now you have me thinking more about what I’m writing. Bless you today!
Yes…I have been “afraid to pray” before…Go for your dream and dream big because we have a BIG GOD who wants to bless His children. Have a great day. Meg
Oh sweet friend you know I could have written this post, how much we have in common =)
Iris, it sounds like you’ve got an awareness of a real need. 🙂 What are you really afraid of? If God opens the door for you then look into the future and think of the lives you will be able to impact for His kingdom because of the influence you will have been given. From your tone, it sounds like God is nudging you.
Did you know that I’m attending the Glorietta Writers’ Conference in October? I’m also feeling prompted to write a devotional of some sort. I need to get to work to have something to present! 🙂
Thanks for your reminder about taking everything to God in prayer.
Bless your heart, Iris…I have been in that situation before…afraid to pray for something….afraid God’s answer might be yes!…or no.
Have a great Tuesday!
Deedra
Iris,
Follow your dream. You could work on it and bring it to San Diego to our Christian Writers Conference. It is in September.
Pray Big and get ready for God to do amazing things.
Ephesians 3:20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
Dear Iris,
I have been in the same situation and praying for things and answers , I will pray for you. You are so inspirational and creative God will have the answer.
In his endless love,
Angel ():)
What a wonderful post! The times I have been really afraid to pray is when I know that the person must hit rock bottom before they cry out, its scary. But God is always there to help them climb out of the pit they dug for themselves.
I do understand Iris. I think sometimes it’s because we are afraid God is going to ask us to step out of our comfort zone. I will pray with you about the devotional book. I tend to believe that if there is a dream in your heart God put it there!! If you’ll autograph it for me, I’ll buy it 🙂
I know these thoughts–I have thought them before.
Fear to pray least He give me what i might be scared of.
You write so much stuff for us to ponder on……….if it is on your heart maybe He put it there?
This is so true. You have given me much to think about… and pray about!!
thank you for sharing iris. i have found that when i have gone through dire circumstances — i have known the love, grace and safty of the Father like i have never known before. i guess, it’s kinda what you might call “GOOD” – “GRIEF”. if it draws me back to him…ALL grief can become good! love to you…
Ouch Iris! That one hit home. There are times when I don’t want to pray about an issue because I really am afraid, like Linda said, that God will ask me to step out of my comfort zone.
Thanks for sharing
This is so very true. Thanks for sharing this and Thanks so much for your prayers and support! Many Blessings to you Iris. Love~Jenileigh
So true, Iris! I often find myself holding back, afraid to pray. I don’t ask God to pull me out of my comfort zone enough–that’s for sure. Your post is a reminder that I need to do that and trust.
Blessings~
Iris,thank you so much for this wonderful post…after read this post, I will kneel down to pray for something in my heart….
What an excellent post. I’m sure that many of us can relate. I know that I can . . . there certainly have been and still are times when I am afraid to hear “yes”
Yes, I too have stood facing a situation, but did not want to “know” the answer. Thank God for grace even in times such as this.
Blessings!