#pray without ceasing

[heartsings77]

Philippians 4:6 ESV Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Colossians 4:2 ESV Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Mark 11:24 ESV Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

[4him-iwrite]

[weavergrovedevotional]

TW: Eating Disorder

Anorexia & Christianity - How God is guiding my recovery journey (Philippians 4:13)

This is a post that I debated making for a long while, but now feels like the time to share it.

For years, I’ve battled with anorexia. I’m not quite there yet, but since I found Christ again, I’ve made so many steps that even my doctors are commending me on. I’m getting slowly towards a healthy weight, I’m seeing the way my body is changing and fighting the negative thoughts to remind myself that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, in His image.

One of my biggest fears when eating was the calories. There were so many foods I would avoid out of sheer fear, but recently I’ve found a way that makes my food less scary.

I pray before every single meal I eat, asking the Lord to bless my meal, to nourish me and to give me strength. When I’m eating, I don’t think about the calories. I tell myself that if I clear my plate, I’ve eaten a whole blessing and He will watch over me and protect me.

This is not a one-size-fits-all, an eating disorder is a difficult thing to deal with, and we all have our own healing journeys to go on for our recovery. This is how I am healing.

Has it been scary? Yes. Has it been something I’ve been battling with myself for months over? Yes. But this is helping me take the steps towards getting better. For years, I just tried to do it myself. I was convinced I could get better, and I found myself getting worse every time.

When my plate overwhelms me, I remember the prayer that I said, and I think of Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I don’t always clear my plate, but I put all of my effort into remembering that this will nourish and strengthen my body, and that every mouthful is a blessing from the Lord.

I’ve still got a very long way to go, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Please do keep me in your prayers, and pray that the Lord will continue to give me the strength to heal.

“God is within her, she will not fall.” - Psalm 46:5

[ewakx]

SOMEONE WHO’S HURTING

I spoke to an Aunt who has slipped into depression. She doesn’t want to live anymore, she told me. I cajoled, and begged, but she wouldn’t budge. I threatened her but she was adamant about wanting to leave this earth. “I’m tired of life,” she said, over and over and over again.

What can we do when we have loved ones in such a state?

PRAY that the enemy does not take them over. Pray for the light of God to flood their minds and chase out the darkness. PRAY, is what we can do.

Is there anyone who can pray with me for my Aunt? Please join me - anytime you remember. I use her as a point of contact for anyone who has loved ones in such a state, or anyone who needs antidepressants to live.

PRAY with me, please?

Thank you.

[the-mercy-workers]

Pray without ceasing on behalf of everyone. For in them there is hope of repentance so that they may attain to God. Permit them, then, to be instructed by your works, if in no other way. Be meek in response to their wrath, humble in opposition to their boasting; to their blasphemies return your prayers; in contrast to their error be steadfast in the faith; and for their cruelty display your gentleness.

St. Ignatius

[beautyandlifestyleblog86]

Amen!

[thelordismylightandmysalvation]

Verse of the Day - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

[avengers-21]

today’s verse ✨

“Pray without ceasing.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[rotinmycore]

when wood meets flesh.

[leonieanderson]

Great and glorious God, my Lord Jesus Christ! I implore Thee to enlighten me and to disperse the darkness of my soul. Give me true faith, firm hope, and perfect charity. Grant me, O Lord, to know Thee so well that in all things I may act by Thy light and in accordance with Thy holy will. Amen.

St. Francis of Assisi

[momentsbeforemass]

Pray?

(For Tamsa, who asks good questions)

People have a lot of ideas about prayer. And that makes sense. Because when we pray, there are a lot of different things going on – usually all at the same time.

I have a good winter coat. The rain rolls off, and it keeps me warm.

The other day when it was raining, I needed to take the trash out. The rain was coming down softly, so I didn’t bother to grab my coat.

I wasn’t outside for very long. But it was long enough for me start complaining about being cold and wet.

As if I wasn’t the reason why I was cold and wet.

Later that day, I needed to go outside again. This time, I thought to put on my coat.

I didn’t notice that the rain had picked up from before. Until I came back in and saw how wet my coat was.

The difference between the two hit me while I was hanging up my coat to dry.

The first time I was cold and wet (and whiny). The second time the rain was coming down harder, but I barely noticed it. The difference? The coat.

Wearing the coat didn’t change the rain. It changed how I experienced the rain.

It’s like that with prayer.

I don’t mean one-and-done prayer. That’s like putting on a coat and then taking it off.

Keep your coat on. Pray before you do things. Pray while you do things.

It can be as formal or informal as you like. The point is keeping close to God in an ongoing conversation. Just like you would with your closest friend (which He is).

Just you and God. Heart to heart. About anything and everything.

That kind of prayer doesn’t change the things that happen to us in life. It changes how we experience them.

“Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties.” – Arthur James Russell

(Of course, this isn’t all there is to prayer. When we pray, there are a lot of different things going on – usually all at the same time. I’ll be sharing more thoughts about prayer in the days to come.)

Today's Readings

[aspirant1598]

[sameraboujudom]

[aressida]

[thecrescentmoon777]

Took a leap of Faith and started my YouTube channel @TheCrescentMoon777

Never allow fear to stifle your purpose 🥹💕

[writethestory365]

“By perseverance the snail reached the ark.”

- Charles Spurgeon