Valerie is a 42-year-old, single, Reformed Christian lady who lives in Baltimore. She doesn't remember a time
before she knew and loved Jesus, but she does remember accepting John Calvin into her heart in March of 2000.
Valerie is a member of Christ Reformed Evangelical Church in Annapolis.
Though her career aspiration is to be a housewife, Valerie has not yet found anyone suitable who wishes to hire
her for employment in that field (or, more properly, anyone suitable has not found her), so in the meantime she
earns her daily bread working in communications -- editing, writing, print design and website management.
No Responses to My Last Post?
What are you...some kind of bunch of heathens or something? ;-)
Posted by Valerie (Kyriosity) at 6:14 PM
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8 comments
8 Comments:
On November 6, 2008 8:01 PMMarlawrote... I was waiting to get some good ideas. I need a plan. My prayer life is way too sporadic other than my am devotionals which are frequently interrupted by children who are waking up far too early.
On November 7, 2008 7:36 AMMargaret in VAwrote... I wanted to post "routines?" who has routines? But know that many do. I have occasionally attempted to have a routine...but it never lasts long enough to honestly be called a routine.
But a discussion of my unfaithfulness in that area of my life - no decent orderliness around here! - was not what you had in mind.
On November 7, 2008 5:05 PMRachel Piersonwrote... Nah...It would be much more comforting if someone could give us the ABC's of Faithful and Effective Prayer.
On November 10, 2008 8:56 AMSheilawrote... I lack a routine in my prayer life; I admit to this laziness and sinfulness. I say sinfulness because I do pray throughout the day when I realize I need to confess or thank or ask for help with something.
I am terribly selfish about intercessory prayer. I remember to do it when I first learn of someone's troubles or am updated, but not too much in between. Although, I have found it easier to remember others in prayer when we have family prayer at the dinner table (which is not long, since we are all hungry- maybe we should pray after we eat).
I have found when I am walking I like to pray. I enjoy taking walks alone and this gives me a large amount of time to "talk" more clearly. I also notice the beautiful things and can focus more on being thankful for many things that I don't normally think of. This time without interruption also helps me to pray for each of my children.
Last (I know you were wondering if I would ever end), I sometimes just pray that God would show me my sins. Another person commented that she seems to pray about the same thing. I feel this way when it comes to confessing my sins. I sometimes have difficulty seeing my sins, so I just ask that God would open my eyes to see mine and not others.
On November 10, 2008 1:13 PMThe BadgerMumwrote... Well, my most successful and consistent prayer times are morning and evening prayers with the family. Privately I pray off and on during the day, but I'm trying to devote the lunch hour on Friday to praying alone.
I have the most success when I'm using the prayer book -- I use this one from the 1979 (found here, pg 13):
~*~
At Noon
From Psalm 113 Give praise, you servants of the LORD; * praise the Name of the LORD. Let the Name of the LORD be blessed, * from this time forth for evermore. From the rising of the sun to its going down * let the Name of the LORD be praised. The LORD is high above all nations, * and his glory above the heavens.
A Reading O God, you will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on you; for in returning and rest we shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be our strength. Isaiah 26:3; 30:15
Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others.
The Lord’s Prayer
The Collect Blessed Savior, at this hour you hung upon the cross, stretching out your loving arms: Grant that all the peoples of the earth may look to you and be saved; for your mercies’ sake. Amen.
or this
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, “Peace I give to you; my own peace I leave with you:” Regard not our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and unity of that heavenly City, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and for ever. Amen.
~*~
The Prayer Book has pages and pages of prayers and thanksgivings covering everything you can think of -- they're a wonderful way to get you started, giving you words when you can't think of any, and of course you can always pray in your own words too.
Sheila -- I'm afraid to pray to see any more of my sin. It's already pretty overwhelming!
Kelly -- I actually did something from the BCP (I'm a 1928 gal, myself) pretty regularly a few years ago. That might be the way to give myself some structure and get back into a routine.
On November 11, 2008 12:35 PMAbra Mariewrote... ditto what Sheila said. Same here. I do try to keep an open "conversation" going with God throughout the day. It sounds horribly disrespectful when I tell you that, though. I don't know. I try to pray for things as I remember them, confess as I realized I need to, Praise as I remember to. It also helps my sanity to "talk" to someone who isn't under the age of 3 and it helps me keep my thoughts in check.
