I pray all the time and I'm unafraid to ask God for the desires of my heart, but I always pray, "If it's your will, Father." And so often I feel like he looks at what I'm praying and says, "Just wait. What I have for you is so much better than what you are asking, but step out and I will show you what's next." I have come to learn that even when he says "no" to what I am asking, there is a good reason. I confess that there have been a couple of times that I still don't understand why He said "no", but He is God and I am not and I trust Him to always do what is loving and best even if I can't see it. Faith is simple and complicated at the same time. Thanks for all the great questions and for persevering to get this walk done. I look forward to them every week!
Donny, thank you for doing what you prayed for and following God’s leading.
When my daughter was in daycare the lady who was in charge of her and many more was a dedicated follower of Jesus. She said often that she would prefer a child to pray for her and others because children don’t doubt God. The point is when I need prayer I ask someone who is truly sold out to God and we’re all children of God but some lack the belief part. I don’t usually pray for things for myself. I ask a believer to pray. I have realized that after prayer I have to just wait. If I’m asking for relief it comes slowly sometimes. It doesn’t mean I don’t trust Him. His ways are not my ways so I have no one else to trust with it. I look at my answered prayers knowing that He follows through. What I’m wanting now is finding the right path to promote my paintings and art. My problem is not doubting those praying or God but myself. With so many talented people how can I measure up?
Oct 26, 2023·edited Oct 26, 2023Liked by Donny Mac
Good morning Donny and community! God constantly works in our lives if "WE" ourselves open our hearts to Him in complete and total surrender in faith and trusting Him through persistent prayer and diving into His word to effectively discern His will.
For the past week, I've gone back to a 7-week Bible study on how to hear and discern the voice of God. Two words stood out to me this week; "pride" and "obedience." I share this with you as I believe they go along with this week's prayer walk. Donny, when you ask "what are we praying for", I also have to ask myself, "how am I praying for it?" Am I praying for it because it is what "I" want or is it what "God" wants? I try to pray within God's will for me and not mine where "pride" comes into play. To seek him and knock on the door takes letting go of my pride. It also takes being obedient and complete surrender to Him. Obedience and discipline leads to surrender to be able to hear the Holy Spirit's voice inside us to guide us in stepping out in faith using the gifts and/or talents He blessed us with. When we are obedient, that deepens our faith and our growth in spiritual maturity. Obedience was the one word that got embedded in my brain this week.
Recently, I've been taking periodic leaps of faith be it large or small. Currently, I'm in the "learning" phase trusting God what I'm being taught is to provide the enhanced knowledge needed to effectively carry them out as He guides me. I do recognize that my sinful pride does force it's way into conversations at times, but I'm trying like all of us to be more obedient in my own walk of faith so I can experience the fullness of His love and grace in my life and use what I'm learning or have learned to encourage others in their own journeys. Being there helping, encouraging, and praying for others within the will of God is what it's all about for me.
Thank you for this Prayer Walk and all the thought provoking questions you ask. At this point in my life I am trying to find out if what God spoke to me all those years ago re the Prophetic is still his plan for me. To do so I need to step out of my comfort zone and do something so I have joined a 4 week Prophetic Journaling Course. However this is going to be on going as there is so much in it that needs to be used/done all the time. Just trusting that in this I will be able to discern God/Holy Spirit's voice more and more.
Oct 26, 2023·edited Oct 26, 2023Liked by Donny Mac
Morning! Ah, you are walking in a similar place to where I walk sometimes. My path is next to railroad tracks, and it wanders through a disc golf course. Often there are train cars parked there with beautiful graffiti painted on them. I spend a lot of time wondering who painted them and why.
Your question today has me wondering too. Sometimes I wish I didn’t think so much. Ha ha! I really like American psychologist Abraham Maslow’s theory that says man is motivated by meeting 5 different needs –food (shelter), security, love (belonging), respect (self-love) and self-actualization. And as we meet one of those needs, we focus on the next one.
Because I’m older and have been blessed with good health, loving family & friends, a successful career, I seem to be focused on self-actualization -- becoming the most that I can be. I want to feel fulfilled, doing all I am capable of, doing what I am met to do.
I talk to God every day, asking him to show me the way. My younger ego thought I was in control. I am now seeking God's guidance. I want to be excited about what He presents me, but sometimes I have an unfaithful, fearful heart. I am still seeking…
Thanks for the stimulating question. Best wishes to you on your exciting God journey. Praying for you! ~ Jan xoxo
Right now I'm receiving more than what I asked for because of the prayers of some of my THC friends which, especially recently, have acted as a safety net as I balance on a tightrope waiting to see what the results of my MRI will be, and how my future health and life may be affected.
A challenge for me is to understand how so many people use God as a wishing well. Then place blame when those wishes do not come true. In my life I have found my self doing this - "If only this would happen then all would be so much better." But, I have learned that just throwing it out there to the universe is not truly spending time in thought and reflection of what it is you are truly seeking.
But to look with eyes wide open for the things that are happening on my path, things they may not be glaringly evident in the moment but they are present. I alway think of the example of the change in my life when we left North Carolina and came to Indiana. It was a desperate time for my family and we were not anywhere close to thinking this was the right decision, but we moved anyway. Since that move I have watched my boys grow into amazing young men and my life has changed in ways I never imagined or even thought would be possible. In my heart today I know when we left was the time we needed to leave to get where we are today. Honestly, the biggest leap of faith I have ever taken.
I truly believe that yesterday leads me into today and I grow closer to gaining the tools I need to heal myself from a past riddled in trauma and pain that has dominated my heart and soul for so long. This guidance has made me who I am still becoming. It may not be exactly what I asked for, but it is what I needed. Thank you for another very insightful walk - you are making changes in lives everyday.
I have been praying for souls to be saved after visiting our church to see a five night drama about what happens when drugs are taken. After 2 nights 14 people have prayed for salvation. We still have 3 nights to go and I am praying for many more salvations. I hope you will all pray with me.
I do believe God will answer prayers immediately. And, I have had prayers answered like that. But, I have also had prayers not answered the way I want them to. Many times I think God uses unanswered prayer to mold us. Sometimes to be more persistent in our praying and sometimes to protect us.
Your prayers walks challenge me in the area of prayer more than I have ever been challenged in that are. I always have had a rather simplistic prayer life. I pray for specifics only when someone is sick, or looking for a new job etc. When it comes to praying for myself it is mostly praying for peace to accept how God works things out. When I pray I ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit, listen, and then follow what comes into my heart. Because I normally do not pray with many details I am often surprised where I am lead, but am at peace with it because I was lead by God. Since listening to your prayer walks I hear you say to be specific and you quote Scripture as proof text. I have been doing that more but still praying for that peace to accept His answers. I sometimes feel demanding, kind of bossy. I have been called bossy at times in life, so try hard not to be that with God in prayer. In summary I love your prayer walks because they make me think. You are so humble in your approach as you inspire us. Praying for you as you begin your exciting ministry. Blessing on your continuing journey.
Thank you for this Prayer walk Donny I have been busy with my volunteering for our community, I pray to God all the time and nine years ago he gifted me twice to exist in earthly life. Everything begins with our relationship to God. This is my prayer almost daily to God. Lord, thank you for being my safe place- I know I can talk about anything with you. I’m grateful I can confidently ask you for the things I need, seek you consistently, and ask you for things that seem impossible. You are a miracle- working God and I am honored to trust you with my life. However, while we can ask for whatever we want , it doesn’t mean he will give us everything we ask for.
I pray all the time and I'm unafraid to ask God for the desires of my heart, but I always pray, "If it's your will, Father." And so often I feel like he looks at what I'm praying and says, "Just wait. What I have for you is so much better than what you are asking, but step out and I will show you what's next." I have come to learn that even when he says "no" to what I am asking, there is a good reason. I confess that there have been a couple of times that I still don't understand why He said "no", but He is God and I am not and I trust Him to always do what is loving and best even if I can't see it. Faith is simple and complicated at the same time. Thanks for all the great questions and for persevering to get this walk done. I look forward to them every week!
Thank you for sharing Cathey
Donny, thank you for doing what you prayed for and following God’s leading.
When my daughter was in daycare the lady who was in charge of her and many more was a dedicated follower of Jesus. She said often that she would prefer a child to pray for her and others because children don’t doubt God. The point is when I need prayer I ask someone who is truly sold out to God and we’re all children of God but some lack the belief part. I don’t usually pray for things for myself. I ask a believer to pray. I have realized that after prayer I have to just wait. If I’m asking for relief it comes slowly sometimes. It doesn’t mean I don’t trust Him. His ways are not my ways so I have no one else to trust with it. I look at my answered prayers knowing that He follows through. What I’m wanting now is finding the right path to promote my paintings and art. My problem is not doubting those praying or God but myself. With so many talented people how can I measure up?
I can relate. Thanks for sharing.
I think when Jesus says “Seek me and you will find me “ Knock and the door will be opened “ is pertaining to Himself.
Good morning Donny and community! God constantly works in our lives if "WE" ourselves open our hearts to Him in complete and total surrender in faith and trusting Him through persistent prayer and diving into His word to effectively discern His will.
For the past week, I've gone back to a 7-week Bible study on how to hear and discern the voice of God. Two words stood out to me this week; "pride" and "obedience." I share this with you as I believe they go along with this week's prayer walk. Donny, when you ask "what are we praying for", I also have to ask myself, "how am I praying for it?" Am I praying for it because it is what "I" want or is it what "God" wants? I try to pray within God's will for me and not mine where "pride" comes into play. To seek him and knock on the door takes letting go of my pride. It also takes being obedient and complete surrender to Him. Obedience and discipline leads to surrender to be able to hear the Holy Spirit's voice inside us to guide us in stepping out in faith using the gifts and/or talents He blessed us with. When we are obedient, that deepens our faith and our growth in spiritual maturity. Obedience was the one word that got embedded in my brain this week.
Recently, I've been taking periodic leaps of faith be it large or small. Currently, I'm in the "learning" phase trusting God what I'm being taught is to provide the enhanced knowledge needed to effectively carry them out as He guides me. I do recognize that my sinful pride does force it's way into conversations at times, but I'm trying like all of us to be more obedient in my own walk of faith so I can experience the fullness of His love and grace in my life and use what I'm learning or have learned to encourage others in their own journeys. Being there helping, encouraging, and praying for others within the will of God is what it's all about for me.
thank you for sharing. I appreciate the added notes of "pride" and "obedience".
Thank you for this Prayer Walk and all the thought provoking questions you ask. At this point in my life I am trying to find out if what God spoke to me all those years ago re the Prophetic is still his plan for me. To do so I need to step out of my comfort zone and do something so I have joined a 4 week Prophetic Journaling Course. However this is going to be on going as there is so much in it that needs to be used/done all the time. Just trusting that in this I will be able to discern God/Holy Spirit's voice more and more.
Good for you for stepping out of your comfort zone.
Morning! Ah, you are walking in a similar place to where I walk sometimes. My path is next to railroad tracks, and it wanders through a disc golf course. Often there are train cars parked there with beautiful graffiti painted on them. I spend a lot of time wondering who painted them and why.
Your question today has me wondering too. Sometimes I wish I didn’t think so much. Ha ha! I really like American psychologist Abraham Maslow’s theory that says man is motivated by meeting 5 different needs –food (shelter), security, love (belonging), respect (self-love) and self-actualization. And as we meet one of those needs, we focus on the next one.
Because I’m older and have been blessed with good health, loving family & friends, a successful career, I seem to be focused on self-actualization -- becoming the most that I can be. I want to feel fulfilled, doing all I am capable of, doing what I am met to do.
I talk to God every day, asking him to show me the way. My younger ego thought I was in control. I am now seeking God's guidance. I want to be excited about what He presents me, but sometimes I have an unfaithful, fearful heart. I am still seeking…
Thanks for the stimulating question. Best wishes to you on your exciting God journey. Praying for you! ~ Jan xoxo
It's not always easier to be blessed with health, job and family. Thank you for your prayers.
Oh shoot! Now I’m wondering what that means??? 😂
"Are you giving Him excuses not to answer in your favor?"
Never heard this before. Is this doubt in the clothes of something else such as humility?
I wonder if it is so? Thanks for the heads up!
Hello Jeff. Good question. Something for each of us to ask God as the answer will likely differ person to person.
Right now I'm receiving more than what I asked for because of the prayers of some of my THC friends which, especially recently, have acted as a safety net as I balance on a tightrope waiting to see what the results of my MRI will be, and how my future health and life may be affected.
wonderful.
A challenge for me is to understand how so many people use God as a wishing well. Then place blame when those wishes do not come true. In my life I have found my self doing this - "If only this would happen then all would be so much better." But, I have learned that just throwing it out there to the universe is not truly spending time in thought and reflection of what it is you are truly seeking.
But to look with eyes wide open for the things that are happening on my path, things they may not be glaringly evident in the moment but they are present. I alway think of the example of the change in my life when we left North Carolina and came to Indiana. It was a desperate time for my family and we were not anywhere close to thinking this was the right decision, but we moved anyway. Since that move I have watched my boys grow into amazing young men and my life has changed in ways I never imagined or even thought would be possible. In my heart today I know when we left was the time we needed to leave to get where we are today. Honestly, the biggest leap of faith I have ever taken.
I truly believe that yesterday leads me into today and I grow closer to gaining the tools I need to heal myself from a past riddled in trauma and pain that has dominated my heart and soul for so long. This guidance has made me who I am still becoming. It may not be exactly what I asked for, but it is what I needed. Thank you for another very insightful walk - you are making changes in lives everyday.
Thank you so much for sharing your story Robin. 🙂
I have been praying for souls to be saved after visiting our church to see a five night drama about what happens when drugs are taken. After 2 nights 14 people have prayed for salvation. We still have 3 nights to go and I am praying for many more salvations. I hope you will all pray with me.
I do believe God will answer prayers immediately. And, I have had prayers answered like that. But, I have also had prayers not answered the way I want them to. Many times I think God uses unanswered prayer to mold us. Sometimes to be more persistent in our praying and sometimes to protect us.
Your prayers walks challenge me in the area of prayer more than I have ever been challenged in that are. I always have had a rather simplistic prayer life. I pray for specifics only when someone is sick, or looking for a new job etc. When it comes to praying for myself it is mostly praying for peace to accept how God works things out. When I pray I ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit, listen, and then follow what comes into my heart. Because I normally do not pray with many details I am often surprised where I am lead, but am at peace with it because I was lead by God. Since listening to your prayer walks I hear you say to be specific and you quote Scripture as proof text. I have been doing that more but still praying for that peace to accept His answers. I sometimes feel demanding, kind of bossy. I have been called bossy at times in life, so try hard not to be that with God in prayer. In summary I love your prayer walks because they make me think. You are so humble in your approach as you inspire us. Praying for you as you begin your exciting ministry. Blessing on your continuing journey.
Thank you for sharing. I'm happy that you are being challenged.
Thank you for this Prayer walk Donny I have been busy with my volunteering for our community, I pray to God all the time and nine years ago he gifted me twice to exist in earthly life. Everything begins with our relationship to God. This is my prayer almost daily to God. Lord, thank you for being my safe place- I know I can talk about anything with you. I’m grateful I can confidently ask you for the things I need, seek you consistently, and ask you for things that seem impossible. You are a miracle- working God and I am honored to trust you with my life. However, while we can ask for whatever we want , it doesn’t mean he will give us everything we ask for.