Dear God, What do I say next?

Did I hear you say:
"Dear God, What do I say next?"

Are you feeling inadequate in your prayer life because you don't always know what to say? If yes, then you are not alone. But not to worry, God wants you to know: it is really not that hard. He wants you to know that it is easy! God would not want you to struggle to be with Him. He finds great pleasure in you and your conversation. God wants it to be easy to talk to Him. And I am here to tell you, it is easy to talk to God. Through God's Word and the Holy Spirit's intervention, I learned how, and I want to share it with you dear friends.
It all started when I reviewed my day four chapter in One Month to Live, a book I highly recommend. This chapter discusses how to stay connected to God. The authors maintain that to stay connected to the ultimate power source, God, we need constant communication with Him. It sounds reasonable. Then they give us "conversational prayer" as the tool and outlet . Conversational prayer, that certainly sounds easy initially. But when I try to put it into action it melts away. I think that it may be worthwhile to explore this more. We need the "How to" book on it. Why sending emails seems easier than conversational prayer all day, prayer with God, the creator of us and the universe.
And I absolutely have no difficulty spending even an hour on the phone with a friend. I have no problem running out of things to say to strangers. I guess that means I talk a little too much. In the past, I began to make serious efforts to listen more and talk less. I still try to do that now. But guess what? I don't have to stop myself from talking to God. That is not to say I should not be quiet and listen also. But I think that God might enjoy my rambling, like now I suppose. The point is God never gets bored with our conversation, or tired of us calling him to talk. He actually desires to hear from us often. That doesn't mean he wants constant complaining. He expects some complaining, just not constant of course. He loves to hear from us. His line is never busy. He doesn't screen calls on his caller ID. He is never too busy.

Goodness, there is someone out there that really longs to talk to us.

See 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says,

pray continually. NIV

Pray without ceasing. KJV

Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly] Amplified Bible

Now that we are convinced that our Father God wants us to talk to him, what should I say? I don't know what to say always, and especially all day. Listen to this: you do not have to prepare to pray (talk to God.) You do not have to concentrate on the perfect words. You don't need a lesson in the "eloquent" prayer. You are already ready. Yes, I said already ready. You are ready right this very moment! Does that sound good to you?

Here is why I say that, I found it right in the Bible, go figure. I am pretty smart these days. Stop what you are doing and go get your Bible, God talks in that thing. Read Psalm 139:1-4 with me. David speaks to God. David has conversational prayer. But listen to what he has to say about our Father God.

Psalm 139:1-4 (New International Version)

1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.

"Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely." "You perceive my thoughts from afar." God knows us completely. David says that God has searched us, he did not say God sees us or looks at us. No, God has searched us. Search means more than taking a good look at you. Search means divine examination in this text. The original Biblical word is hagar, divine examination as God "searches" the heart. Have you ever searched for something that you lost in your own house, without success? I have many times. Searching means for me, looking where I think it should be, then looking in the same place again, then looking where it should not be and there again. When that fails, I start searching everywhere. I would look behind the refrigerator if I could. At this point I start calling those friends I have seen recently. I ask them to search their homes despite the fact that I think it is in my house. Does this sound familiar to you? I have some items as large as a cordless phone missing over a year or two, and I still find myself looking for it occasionally. In other words, don't pass by the word "search" so quickly. God searches us, you! He examines you inside and out. He examines your heart, soul and mind. He searches to know every detail about you. I think He may even search the same place several times not because He has lost something, because He loves his creation and enjoys searching and examining it. So, "O LORD you have searched me and you know me" are some heavy words. O Lord you do know me.

The second verse tells us that He knows when we sit and rise, which is amazing. However, we will concentrate on our thoughts and mind now. "You perceive my thoughts from afar." God is omniscient, able to access our thoughts, motives and attitude. He perceives every bit of our mind field. Psalm 139 also states that God knows all our ways. He knows our character and habits. He knows what we are likely to do in a circumstance. He knows our ways, individual and unique ways.


Now here we are to verse four,

Psalm 139:4

Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.


He perceives your thoughts from afar. He knows what you are thinking. And he knows what you are about to say before it is on your tongue. I think that verse speaks for itself. Read it again.
"Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord." Stop and think about that. Before your very next word is spoken, God already knew it. He knows what we are thinking and what we will say before we say it. With knowing this and really getting it, should we still have trouble with this "conversational prayer" thing? Why God knows what we are going to say anyway. He knows what we are thinking. So we can relax and just talk. Even if we don't put it in words well, it does not matter. He knows our thoughts about it. (If you want improve on your words for prayer, simply spend more time in the Bible and with the Holy Spirit. However their is no need to focus your attention on words, just the Word.)

Now do we get it? Do we understand that the words we speak to God are clearly understood by the One who heard you think it? So say whatever you want. If you start to worry about the kids with their fighting, just say, "Help! Dear God, Help!" Guess what? He knows what you need help with because "he perceives your thoughts from afar." If you feel tired or not well, just speak, "Dear God, Help!" He knows why you need help because you thought about it before you spoke it. Your child comes home with an "A" on a test. Just say, "Thank you God. Thank you." He knows why you are grateful. You have just avoided a car accident. Say, "Thank you God." You are holding a newborn baby. Say "God your are so good." And at anytime, anywhere, and for any reason, good or bad, say "God I love you."

The only thing left to do is start. Start and don't stop.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (King James Version)

Pray without ceasing.

This is a lesson given to me by the Holy Spirit. God's love for our conversation is real and beautiful.

Written by Truly Kernea early 2008
Author is God

This Story Is For You

This is the story of a father and child. The father loves his child so much that he sits with the child through the night. Read the words he speaks throughout the night and morning hours. Read it slowly to soak in what this father is feeling. Hear in his words his great love for the child.


My sweet child,

the moonlight covers your room now as I sit beside you and watch you sleep.

Your eyes are closed and your body is still. I hear only the soft sound of your breath.

As you lay curled to one side, there is only innocence in the room.

Your face appears so soft and restful. Your body is relaxed.

Everything about you is beautiful.

I just take in the creation of you.

I revel at the idea that I call you my own.

I can not stop my urge to lean over you for a closer look.

I want to hug you with all my loving might but I will not disturb your sleep dear one.

So I hold back and step back only to look.

As the time passes, I begin to look forward to when you will open your eyes.

I think about the things you say and do.

I think about when you said "I love you" just before "goodnight."

Those words consume my thoughts now as I wait.

I love you with so much of me, to hear those words from you make my heart swell.

You are mine and I am yours.

My love for you is unconditional.

I don't even remember the things you did earlier that required apology.

I can't think of you as anything but innocent and lovely when I watch you sleep.

As the daylight begins to trickle in the room, my anticipation grows.

I begin to look forward to being with you awake, to hear your voice and see your eyes of wonder.

I want to be with you as soon as you awake.

I want to hear you tell me your thoughts and dreams.

I want to make them come true for you.

I must say I long to hear you say "I love you father" and "Can we be together today?"

Oh yes, I would love to be with you all day, just the two of us.

I don't dare wake you up so that you will have the sleep you need for today.

But I have been tempted many times to crawl in beside you and love you.

Then the moment comes, you begin to move and make small noises.

You turn your head my way as if you can feel my presence here.

Your eyes open. Though not quite awake, I see a twinkle in them.

I am here in your room.

Then they open wider and look at me closer and your arms reach out to me with love.

You want me to come to you so quickly after you awake.

Then I hear "Father, come to me." I can not hold back my enthusiasm.

I jump up and hold you in my arms in seconds.

I tell you first "I love you."

And you return the same words.

My heart is full and pleased.

You have given me just what I waited for, your love in return.

You are mine and I am yours.

You tell me what you are thinking, what you want to do today and how great it will be.

Listening carefully with only the two of us here, I hear your needs and desires.

I will help you receive them.

I only want you to be filled with peace and joy.

My morning is more than I expected.

My time with you is always adored. But to spend time with you before your day begins is lovely.

To start our day together in these early hours is my desire always.

I love you dear child of mine.

Today we begin it together, you and me, out to conquer the world.



This father filled with so much love that he will wait through the sleeping hours for his child to awake,

this father is your father.

The Father is God.

Please him, love him, wake up to him.

Psalm 139:7-8 (New International Version)
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

Here in Psalm 139, David speaks of God's omnipresence. God is omnipresent, everywhere at all times. But have you considered the enormity of it? Know that God is present with you at all times including the night.

Written by Truly in April 2008.

Author: God

These are God's words for his children. Enjoy them. Enjoy the great love he has for you. Read this often to remember how he feels about you. Share it with others if you like. I only want everyone to know how so very much our Fathers loves us.

I love you all.

Truly

P.S. Look for more on this subject of waking up with your Father on my upcoming posts!

We are all truly made for God.

Welcome to Truly Made for God

Dear Friends and Readers,

Hi! My name is Truly Kernea. I am a single mother of two lovely girls, ages 8 and 11. I live in the suburbs of Georgia in a neighborhood laced with friendly faces. I must say I have a pretty good life. Some might question that due to my divorce issues and sometimes unstable financial status. But really it is a good life. I am happy probably more so than a lot of my married years. Not to say I don't often have a sadness about what I thought my life would look like. I do miss my children's ability to have a total family life with mom and dad together. However, life is good.

I have two beautiful girls, inside and out. Even school is going well despite the predictions it would not with divorce and all. I have absolutely, positively the best friends a single girl could wish for. They are supportive, sweet, fun and valuable in many ways. I have a family in Birmingham, AL that is beyond fantastic. Tears swell up just thinking about their vast generosity and unconditional love for me in times of torment, sorrow and struggle, along with my mighty troop of friends. They are my rock.

I live in a beautiful house with a morning view of creation that I'm not sure I could live without these days. Even in the dead of winter, I see beauty in God's creation out of my back windows. I have a running car. In other words, I am thankful that despite it's many years of loyal use, it still works. I used to complain about it and wish so much for a new one. But for now I am happy to say I like it, it works. That sums up how I look in my life on earth. It is darn good.

However this outlook, so very optimistic, is not a product of my earthly circumstances. By no means. This very happy life is a product of my spiritual life. Yes, you heard me correctly. My life of joy is strictly a product of my heavenly Father God. He has carried me from a dark time to a whole new perspective. I had a relationship with Him for many, many years. I was born again and received salvation in my very young years. And though I strayed through college, God was always in me, not at all forgotten. However, the big move came through adversity, divorce. Talk about an experience you never want to face, it's this. Not only do you not want it, you don't think it will ever happen to you, no matter how bad things get. You tend to just remember the "through death due us part." But of course we all know it does happen and unfortunately way too often. However, God's Word is not void, trials and tribulation can make you stronger and new again. And that is exactly what happened to me. God literally transformed me through these days, both through the early days of deep sorrow and now as I face new challenges.

I say he transformed me. It's hard to look from the inside out. But I really feel that He made me new. I say this because I have learned to experience joy. What is joy? My definition, in my life, is despite the circumstances you feel peace and happiness. You feel this when you learn to trust God. And that began when I completely surrendered to him one day. I just said take me, every bit of me, the good, the bad and the ugly. "Make me yours." Ask me to do what your purpose desires for me, "I'll do it!" I used to say to God, "I'll ride on the garbage truck and collect the garbage if you ask me to do it" Luckily he didn't go that far. Not that there is anything wrong with that job. But it would not be the best idea for someone easily grossed out my mixtures of garbage. But what I mean is that I became willing to do whatever he ask of me. Every minute of the day. No. Every hour of the day. No. I would be willing to do his will with just as much as I could muster each day in this flesh of mine. Did I change to become like Christ and walk in total obedience? Of course not. That does not happen overnight or over months even.

What I am trying to say here is that God took me and my request of surrender and began to work in me. Little by little, He helped me to learn forgiveness. Still learning, by the way. He gave me desire to learn his Word and read the Bible, something I never had before. Yes, I said He, God, gave me the desire to read the Bible and learn his Word. When I was to a point to surrender my life to him, He was able to start working. Now in the past I did give him my life but this was different. Going through a difficult time can bring you to this point, I feel, more easily. What do I have now that I did not have in my possession before as a Christian? I have joy. I have an ongoing relationship with my Father, my God. I seek him by reading his Word, by praying and many other ways. Did I accomplish this on my own? Certainly not. Nothing I have done through this transformation can be credited to me. Really, the only thing I did was give my life to Him and hope for the best. Hope that He would make me feel better, comfort me. Hope that life would improve.

And guess what? It did!
So with all that said, "Life is good!" Thank you Father for that.

Now just a note on what to expect on my pages each day:

Through this astounding time of God's presence in my life. He has opened a new world for me. He has opened a world of words, His words and a few of mine. Early on in the transformation (we will call it that for now) God started using my hands for His work. I found myself writing without knowledge of what might appear on the page. I am serious. It was a serious mystery to me in the beginning. I knew it was God because I knew it was not me. I would write words to teach me, and maybe someone else one day, God's ways. It spoke of God's love for me and his children. It spoke of forgiveness, joy, sin and a vast array of Biblical subject matter. It was amazing and powerful. It was amazing to watch my hand glide across the page with such quickness and purpose. It was amazing to realize I was not sure what words might appear on my paper. It was amazing and now that I look back, powerful. What power that God has, to take ordinary me, in fact sinful me, and use my hand to express his words.

I felt unworthy, yet incredibly excited. I felt such a passion and desire to do it forever. I was very unsure if anyone would believe me. Would my friends and family think I had gone mad, crazy? Would they figure I was just imagining it or was hoping it was God? Oh yes, doubt crept in. But I must say the enthusiasm and passion could not possibly hold my tongue back. I just had to tell. And I did. I told my mother, my family and my friends. I even told the ladies, strong believers, in my Bible study. It was just the most exciting thing ever. And to top it off, it was something that could possibly help others. I continued God's work with my hand and paper. And after a couple of years now, I have in my possession a library of notebooks with these words from God. Don't be scared. Don't be scared to believe me, that these words are from God. I have done enough of that for both of us. God is still reassuring me to this day that it is Him.

I hope you enjoy these words because as you can plainly see, it is hard for me to stop. My hand hurts, but I just can't stop. And if God is in charge I continue. I thought it may be helpful and wise to give you an idea of just who belongs to this writing and where it comes from.

With that, I invite you to join me as often as you please as I finally begin to share what my Father has so graciously given to me. Some words may be 1-2 years old, or they could be written this week, even today. I will try to date each writing in case it becomes of some significance in the future.

I just want to say to anyone reading this:

I love you. I love you if I know you. I love you if I don't know you. I can't say exactly what caused this declaration but it is truly from my heart. I love you. Please enjoy, take in, meditate on and use these words of God I share. Again I love you and my Father, your Father God, loves you beyond measure. Feel free to send me your thoughts and your own words. I would love to hear them.

God Bless you today with his overpowering Love for you. Let it in.

Love,

Truly