ASAP...WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Domingo Ivan Casaņas
February 23, 2006
Most think ASAP means: AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. That might be true. For me the soon as possible means: ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER. I believe that if we Pray then we can approach our problems in a different manner because God does hear our prayers.
We live in a world that is moving at a speed beyond recognition at times. We hear about random acts of violence, terrorism, and yet it seems like we?re always on the go, and often, our spiritual lives get neglected. Sometimes, even if we are religious, we can?t seem to find the time to pray.
There are many ways to pray, one is by starting out with Supplication, then Meditation, followed by Appreciation and finally finishing it up with Application. We can pray in partnerships, small groups, pray for revival, pray several times in a day on our own, inner-healing prayers, reading Psalms and praying. God gives us the opportunity and the choice to pray anytime, anywhere and for any reason. This are just a few ways, what we must remember is that God does hear our prayers.
However, do young people know this? Do they feel too distant to approach God? Are they embarrased like so many adults are to admit it or to show it? Praying is having the faith in God and having a personal friendship with him. In order to get to that personal friendship status, one must know God. This knowledge starts with the Bible. Once you know that God is real and you know you are talking to a person, one who can both listen to and respond to your prayers then your praying journey can begin.
We must however, find the time, realize that God loves and accepts you, even when you?re aren?t praying like you ?should?. Getting over guilt and anxiety about not praying is a major hurdle wherever you are. Whenever this occurs you must simply stop and ask God to forgive you, then ask him for the time that you need for prayer and you should make time to pray. You must realize that God is with you all the time, no matter how far away ?you? feels. He is always listening. Often we as human beings think that we have to create a certain environment or set aside a special time of significant length in order to pray, but in my opinion this is not so. That is not to say that these ?quiet times? are not important-they are!
But anytime, anywhere is the right time to pray. Traffic jams while in the car, long lines at the stores, cooking or waiting for dinner, cleaning the house or taking a shower, just to name a few. It is always important to give thanks and ask God to nourish the food you are about to eat to your body before meal time. Like any habit, it may take a little time to form, but ask God to help you and He will. The power of prayer in your life will make you calmer and more spiritual. Start out with five minutes, and work up to thirty or more if you can. Any time that you can shut the door on the world for a few moments, and do nothing, but communicate to the Creator then you will feel refreshed and this will benefit you greatly. If you feel fidgety, stressed out, don?t know what to pray for then just tell Him how you feel. Ask him to get you in the right frame of mind and to help you pray, and then whatever words come to you say them out loud because when our minds and our mouths are engaged in prayer, the distractions are neutralized and our hearts become engaged. That is when the healing begins. You will feel a sense of calm energy throughout your body, and you will feel the love of God, which will give you a sense of balance and perspective.
God invites us to talk to Him. He does not want to be a stranger to us. This does not mean that you should view God as some sort of genie that you call on only when you have a wish or a problem. Our prayers cannot be centered on just our own needs. If we want God?s blessings, we have to take an interest in his will ? not just our own ? and we must actually do the will of God. Nevertheless, we should never think that our needs or cares are too small or trivial to pray about.
By giving God Praise, to petition via intercession and by Thanking Him for the people who will be drawn to seek God?s face because the overwhelming nature of the tragedy such as the Terrorism acts in New York and Washington D.C. leaves them nowhere else to turn but to Him. So now is the time to start communicating to a God that hears our prayers. Do not do it later, do it ASAP...Always saying a prayer. May God Bless You!
Domingo Casa?/p>
We live in a world that is moving at a speed beyond recognition at times. We hear about random acts of violence, terrorism, and yet it seems like we?re always on the go, and often, our spiritual lives get neglected. Sometimes, even if we are religious, we can?t seem to find the time to pray.
There are many ways to pray, one is by starting out with Supplication, then Meditation, followed by Appreciation and finally finishing it up with Application. We can pray in partnerships, small groups, pray for revival, pray several times in a day on our own, inner-healing prayers, reading Psalms and praying. God gives us the opportunity and the choice to pray anytime, anywhere and for any reason. This are just a few ways, what we must remember is that God does hear our prayers.
However, do young people know this? Do they feel too distant to approach God? Are they embarrased like so many adults are to admit it or to show it? Praying is having the faith in God and having a personal friendship with him. In order to get to that personal friendship status, one must know God. This knowledge starts with the Bible. Once you know that God is real and you know you are talking to a person, one who can both listen to and respond to your prayers then your praying journey can begin.
We must however, find the time, realize that God loves and accepts you, even when you?re aren?t praying like you ?should?. Getting over guilt and anxiety about not praying is a major hurdle wherever you are. Whenever this occurs you must simply stop and ask God to forgive you, then ask him for the time that you need for prayer and you should make time to pray. You must realize that God is with you all the time, no matter how far away ?you? feels. He is always listening. Often we as human beings think that we have to create a certain environment or set aside a special time of significant length in order to pray, but in my opinion this is not so. That is not to say that these ?quiet times? are not important-they are!
But anytime, anywhere is the right time to pray. Traffic jams while in the car, long lines at the stores, cooking or waiting for dinner, cleaning the house or taking a shower, just to name a few. It is always important to give thanks and ask God to nourish the food you are about to eat to your body before meal time. Like any habit, it may take a little time to form, but ask God to help you and He will. The power of prayer in your life will make you calmer and more spiritual. Start out with five minutes, and work up to thirty or more if you can. Any time that you can shut the door on the world for a few moments, and do nothing, but communicate to the Creator then you will feel refreshed and this will benefit you greatly. If you feel fidgety, stressed out, don?t know what to pray for then just tell Him how you feel. Ask him to get you in the right frame of mind and to help you pray, and then whatever words come to you say them out loud because when our minds and our mouths are engaged in prayer, the distractions are neutralized and our hearts become engaged. That is when the healing begins. You will feel a sense of calm energy throughout your body, and you will feel the love of God, which will give you a sense of balance and perspective.
God invites us to talk to Him. He does not want to be a stranger to us. This does not mean that you should view God as some sort of genie that you call on only when you have a wish or a problem. Our prayers cannot be centered on just our own needs. If we want God?s blessings, we have to take an interest in his will ? not just our own ? and we must actually do the will of God. Nevertheless, we should never think that our needs or cares are too small or trivial to pray about.
By giving God Praise, to petition via intercession and by Thanking Him for the people who will be drawn to seek God?s face because the overwhelming nature of the tragedy such as the Terrorism acts in New York and Washington D.C. leaves them nowhere else to turn but to Him. So now is the time to start communicating to a God that hears our prayers. Do not do it later, do it ASAP...Always saying a prayer. May God Bless You!
Domingo Casa?/p>
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