She Speaks from a Joyful Heart, LLC

While praying with a dear friend recently, I closed the prayer as always, with: “God, we love, honor and praise you, not just for the things that you do…”my friend joined in to help complete the prayer and we said together, “but simply for who you are!”  She said she’s always loved that I close each prayer that way and she asked what the inspiration was behind it!  

I recently realized that when I pray with others, some of them would also chime in to recite the closing of our prayer. 

Now, I’m quite certain that others may close with that same or similar statement, but her question caused me to pause and reflect on why that ending has become the way I choose to close every prayer. 

I thought about when my journey of more consistent study of the word began. Every morning, I would begin my day by reading a devotional that was written by a group of Christian Women, who shared personal stories of the trials and challenges that they faced and how their journeys aligned with many of the stories written in the Bible.  They would often refer to scriptures and stories that highlighted similar experiences of those who walked and talked with Jesus. 

Those stories provided a clear picture of how Jesus loved people, while He taught them, healed them and led them to His Father!  His actions highlighted His character and what He stood for and what He was sent here to do! 

Yes, we are truly blessed to have been given the ability to choose how we live!  We’ve been given a detailed guide (The Word) that reveals that there are consequences that come with some of the choices that we choose to make. 

And we’ve also been given an opportunity to develop a close & personal relationship with God, so that we may grow in our faith, when asking Him to bless our needs, wants and desires through prayer. 

What I have begun to put into practice as I pray is: showing my gratitude to God for ALL that He’s given and done in my life and giving honor, glory and praise to Him… Simply For Who He Is!!

“He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name.” Psalms‬ ‭111‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬