"1" thing you do not need to know how to do...

You should do this, you should do that...really? 

How often we find ourselves trying to live up to the expectations of others. 

We have taken the most important "step" in life, the step of humbly asking Christ to cleanse us of our past and make us brand new.   We desire to grow in faith and grow close to Him by reading our bible.   So often, we feel inadequate, we feel as if we need to be this perfect woman in our walk of faith.  But this is SO far from the truth. 

When you have had a personal encounter with the Christ of Galilee,  it is all about you and Him.  No comparison with other women.   He has a special plan for your life.  Your vessel is in His hands and will be shaped according to His will.   

Do you feel you need to to measure up? 

As a Christian woman desiring to follow the path God has planned, it is often difficult to stay “God-centered” and not self-centered. Each day the world bombards us with it’s own version how we should dress and how we should look.  At this stage of my life,  I am blessed with dry skin, tight clothes, graying hair and spots that appear on my body out of no where!  Why, oh why couldn’t Eve think before she reached out for that fruit!  My body would be perfect right now!  But none of us are perfect and God does not desire perfection. 

As this world judges us from what they see on the outside, God clearly sees the genuine beauty that lies within. HE sees the beauty of a heart that desires to be His woman of faith.

Time spent alone reading His Word will shape us into what HE desires.  Your heart will be  prepared for the walk His has planned just for you.  Your faith will be real at home, at work, at school, with friends and on public display...naturally.    You will have a desire to be with other's who share a desire to know Him, to serve Him and to praise Him. 
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But there is "1" thing that you do not need to know how to do...

This may surprise you, but you do not need to know "how" to pray. 

Imagine a child coming to their father and making the same request over and over.   Each time that child comes to the father, she asks and says almost the same words over and over.  Unnatural and shallow?  Yes. 

What if your daughter comes walking up to you saying, "Oh wonderful and all knowing mother, who provides for all my needs, who is generous and loving, who cares so much for me...will you let me take the car?"   

To many this is what their prayer life consists of.   It is repetitive of the same words. 
​It is done  with self centeredness.  For some it is done  when all else fails.   

​When you think of prayer...what comes to mind? 
Sadly, there are some approaches to prayer that many of us are guilty of. 

Here are a few: 
1- The Fire Extinguisher approach  --- for emergency use only.
2-  The Table Setting approach --- everything must be perfect, "right" words said.
3-  The Book Report approach ---   if your words go on and on, He will respond. 
4-  The Let's Make A Deal approach --- "God, if you answer my prayer, I will..."
5-  The "But You Said" approach ---  reminding a forgetful God of His promises.
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When we speak with our heavenly Father, our prayer should be a conversation.  It takes no special words, no specific routine, no special place.   We come to Him with all the burdens and praise in our heart.   We do not need to know HOW to pray.  We speak with our heavenly Father naturally, we express in our own words what is on our heart and mind.   

Praise should come naturally off our lips and heart first. 
Praise is honoring and paying compliment to God.  We focus on His awesome attributes.  
"Lord, I am overwhelmed by Your love.  You are always with me." 
"Father, you are so faithful to let me know that You are here for me." 
Psalm 103 and 104 are my personal favorite's to say to my heavenly Father. 

Prayer should include confessing our shortcomings and sins. Humble and honest prayer allows you to be transparent in private with God.  We come acknowledging our sins.  
"Lord Jesus, I lost my temper with ___________.  Help me Lord."   
"Lord, I just cannot seem to work with this new employee.  Help me." 

Prayer should include personal needs and prayer for others. 
"Father, I need Your wisdom in finding an answer...."
"I need Your guidance in this decision." 
"Lord, I come to You in prayer for my husband."

Finally, we thank Him for all the blessings of the day. 

No matter how small the struggle or trial, take it to Him in prayer. 
Although God knows what is on our heart and mind, He desires to hear our words and see our heart in prayer.  When the demands of day to day life crowd us, we tend to fall short in our prayer life.  God never intended for us to live without prayer.    

As His child, we all have access to AAA  - Almighty Assistance Anytime. 
No special training needed.  Come, pour out your heart and simply talk. 

• Praise
• Confession
• Personal needs 
• Thankfulness

Prayer is not done as a special favor TO God.   
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​It is a privilege given to us BY God. 

The apostle Paul asked the Roman Christians to pray for him in his struggles. 
"I beseech you, brethern, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit,
​that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;   
Romans 15:30 

None of us are worthy to earn the ear of God. 

Prayer is a gift of God through grace.   

It is given to us as His child, given to all who have received Christ by faith.