Love finds peace (pt2)

by Craig on February 22, 2011

It’s in this prayer – there lies peace,

“Thy will not mine be done.”

This all started last week in a series about beating back a trio of  negative voices.  The last negative voice for me to defeat was the one that shouted, “You’re going to fail” (here)

There was only one way to silence that one – and it was to guarantee success.

I know. Good luck with that.

But it is possible to guarantee the best outcome in any situation.

Really.

The number of steps I’m about to write is an inexact one right now because – well – this is my thing with God. I’ve never read it anywhere, nor been told it. It’s just something that through prayer – during a very critical time – he showed me.

It’s always been there in Scripture.

I’m not inventing new theology.

That‘s called heresy.

This is just a scriptural thing that I noticed – and prayed about – and studied – and tried – and it works.

So just in case anyone wonders why 5 steps turns to 6 –  or gets done in 4 – well – there ya go.

Step One:

I need to have a specific plan or situation in mind when I pray this prayer. Because to make this work I have to have something to lay at Our Lord’s feet – and say, “Hey, I don’t mean to be a bother, but can you take this one?”

It’s not that God needs to know all the specifics – it’s that I do. We do.

It’s like how the Bible says we only need to ask God once for something – and yet we should also ask repeatedly. That one used to confuse me . Am I supposed to ask once – or keep bugging God?

I figured one day that the answer was both. I need to ask once for God – sometimes not even once. I need to ask repeatedly for me – to remember what I’m asking, and who I’m asking, and maybe why.

I could just blanket my whole life with a big “thy will not mine be done” prayer – and I kind of do anyway – but there isn’t a direct peace dividend with the big blankety type prayer.

I don’t know about you but I worry about “things” not “everything”. I mean I get around to worrying about everything eventually – but usually one thing at a time. Since it’s the “one at a time things” that cause the worry – it’s those I need to lay down. Make sense?

So step number one is clearly identifying the sitch, or the plan – the thing.

Step two:

This is really more of a clarification or addendum than a step. But it can’t go without saying. It’s this. I might as well admit to God that I want what I want – that I want my will.

It’s not like he doesn’t know anyway.

It’s like when my mom used to ask who ate the cookies – when the whole time it was common knowledge that she could magically read our minds. I think she liked to see us squirm. God doesn’t so much like the squirming part – but he does like the honesty.

And is it OK to admit to God that I want what I want?

Our Lord did.

But admitting that there’s a way I want things to end up – and asking for just and only that outcome, without the second part of the prayer – the “thy will be done part”? That’s not in the plan.

And there we go – steps 1 and 2 – of 6 – or 5 – or maybe 4. (see above)

I know this works – so stay with me.

If anybody wants me to just spill the bullet points – go ahead and ask in the comments.

I’ll email them to you.

But what’s the fun of that?

Please come back.

There’s more.

In God’s love

{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

Dianna McBride February 22, 2011 at 8:21 am

I’ll be back! 🙂

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Sharon @ Hiking Toward Home February 23, 2011 at 5:28 am

Thank you for clarifying that Once and Repeatedly for us. I have often tried to wrap my little brain around it and found it confusing… but your explanation is a good one. I needed that one.

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Sharon @ Hiking Toward Home February 23, 2011 at 6:11 am

oops left that comment on the wrong post. sorry. goes on Love Finds Peace pt3

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Sharon @ Hiking Toward Home February 23, 2011 at 6:13 am

okay, my brain is not functioning at full capacity right now apparently.. delete this comment and the one previous. I did put that comment right where it belongs.

Reply

Craig February 23, 2011 at 8:17 am

No way I’m moving anything – to see your smiling face in my comments once is a joy anyway – three times in a row – I’m smiling – makes me happy – Wednesday morning sunshine. Thank you Sharon – thank you – God Bless.

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Anonymuss February 23, 2011 at 11:14 am

Taking us through your thinking on the ‘to bug or not to bug’ thing about prayer…so good!!!! Love your explanation about why we need to ‘bug’ God. You know how we think, Craig, out here in blog-plasma sphere. 🙂

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Craig February 23, 2011 at 11:28 am

Thanks A. I don’t know how “we: think – just how I do – but I am grateful I’m not alone 🙂

God Bless.

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Debbie February 26, 2011 at 3:51 am

Catching up and learning. Time to be a sponge and absorb. I really need this so going on to the other posts I missed. Thank you! 🙂

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Craig February 26, 2011 at 10:07 am

I miss you when you’re not here:) Thank you Deb. I hope you find some use for these words, God Bless.

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