Human Praying Tree

My human praying tree! God gave me this drawing during a prayer retreat. I rendered the pencil sketch I made. 

Shameless Audacity: Lord, teach us to pray! (Luke 11:1)

"LORD, teach us to pray!" (Luke 11:1).

I remember the first time I read this verse and thought, "Well, if the LORD can teach them to pray. He can teach me, too."

I started boldly and confidently asking God in my young 20's to teach me how to pray. Honestly, I was a broken mess, but I wanted to honor God and do His will.

Today, as I study this passage about the disciples learning how to pray, I am caught by the phrase "shameless audacity in the NIV." 

When I look at the order of what Jesus said about prayer, I notice two things I must never forget.  Prayer starts with worship and a kingdom mindset. We must get this right!  

Worship Him! 

       Our Father, holy is Your Name.

Kingdom Mindset! 

       Your kingdom come, Your will be done.

THEN our bold confidence can be shameless and audacious because it first begins with the right mindset. 

Shameless audacity has been translated in so many ways...

Persistent

Impudence

Importunity

The Bible Stock Exchange suggests that this type of prayer is willing to disturb the peace. It ignores the cultural consideration and puts our friends and neighbors in the awkward situation of having to save face. 

The cool part is that with God, I can go without shame with this boldness because HE LOVES TO GIVE GOOD GIFTS and THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Again, here is the crux. This is not for us to get what we want. Prayer is a relationship that is full of worship and kingdom mindedness. Then it flows from a holy mindset.  We will discover that what we need to talk about will have the good and pleasing will of God. It will be full of forgiveness, repentance, and a righteous pursuit. This becomes the most important sustenance and nourishment for our daily bread.

Yes, LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY! Show us how to approach You with shameless audacity that is actively seeking You to receive and know Your good and perfect will. In Jesus' name, amen

Psalm 23: Simple sketches for story recall

As my friend read Psalm 23 in different translations for us to meditate on and draw near to God, I sketched quick sketches for the Psalm. 

Sketching or doodling is a memory tool for me. If I sit and draw I am more likely to recall what I am hearing. I think it is because it causes me to pause and be still. My mind focuses and I can hear. I can literally in my minds ear hear my friend reading Psalm 23 and see in my mind's eye where she was sitting and the light from the window.

What gives you this super power for recall? Is it music? Poetry? Dancing? Singing? Listening? Writing? Or something else like washing dishes or repairing a car? 

See if you can recall the Psalm as you look at my images.

How would you recreate Psalm 23 so you can remeber in your time of need?

This littke image makes me smile because I drew goodness and mercy (love) following me all the days of my life. 

A Royal Decree from the Soveriegn Lord to draw near to Him through prayer

I just created this prayer invite from the LORD using Chatgpt.

It is a personal invite for you and me to join Him in prayer. Please share it.

Seeking Shalom

Oh my goodness! I am so pleased. I loved this picture the moment I saw it. I saw a human Christmas tree that was praying. 

I was recently at a prayer retreat and God would not let me stop thinking about it. He has really convicted me this week that I have let too many things jump into my prayer time and become a distraction. Ugh. But this is good. It is always God when He convicts us so we can grow.

I haven't had time to paint recently. I miss the worship of the pause as I paint. I am so glad God gave me this today. 

I am so very happy with it! My heart is super joyful. I hope it inspires you to pray as well. My heart is that it will inspire you to pray peace for the nations. 

Seek shalom y'all!

A Royal Decree from the Soveriegn Lord to draw near to Him through prayer

I just created this prayer invite from the LORD using Chatgpt.

It is a personal invite for you and me to join Him in prayer. Please share it.

Evergreen

Good people

Righteous people

The godly

Flourish

Grow

Majestic 

Stable

Like palm trees

Cedars

Date palms

In

The LORD'S garden

Courtyard 

Presence

Under His personal care

Bearing fruit

Fresh

Green

Lithe 

Vital

Flourishing

Proclaiming He is...

Upright

My Rock

My mountain

My shelter

As living memorials

In trust

Love

Contempt

Amen