Day 20 - Prayer Journal: Lay It Down

Scripture
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." - Hebrews 12:1

I must admit sometimes I am lazy. A couple of days ago I was in the mall shopping for a few necessities ( i know what do I need at the mall?) and I had quite a few packages in hand when I decided to trek to the other end of the mall. It was a foolish decision because I had made purchases from the initial store that I entered and parked outside. It was difficult and cumbersome to carry the load of packages and enjoy my excursion. I am hard-headed so I managed but I didn't get the full experience. There were several pairs of shoes that I would have admired up close, but the load in my hands would not allow. Too stubborn to relent and deliver those weighty objects to the car, I cut my shopping short. I probably missed out on sales, a few other necessities, or running into some fabulous people. I had to face it, my being in a rush cost me. Thank God it probably saved me a few bucks, but from a spiritual perspective sometimes we rush through life carrying heavy packages that weigh us down.

Whether your baggage is some sinful vice, hurt feelings, negative emotions, pride, stubbornness, or unforgiveness. It will weigh you down and definitely keep you from getting God's full experience for your life. Some of those bags just weren't meant for you to carry, let go and let God have them. Our lives are a course set before God that He intends for you to come out victorious. Just like an Olympic sprinter would never add weights to her running shoes, we must cast off everything that hinders us from going deeper, from having the ultimate relationship, from serving God with our whole hearts, and from living the life God planned for you. Just let go of the dead weight!

Focus

• Thank God for the witnesses He has sent into your life. (you are not alone)
• Ask God to reveal areas that weigh you down in your walk with Him.
• Pray for God to give you strength to set aside weights that you hold onto.
• Record areas of your life that you find difficult to exercise patience.
• Pray for God to teach you from past experiences with Him that He will deliver right on time. Ask Him to show you how to prepare in this season for what is to come.
• Ask God to keep you focused on the lane your race is in and not on how easy you think someone else's lane is. (The lanes are all the same distance even though some appear closer because of their curves.)
• Praise God for carrying your burdens so you don't have to.
• Pray for someone who is carrying a heavy load other than yourself.

Remember: Here is a poem I wrote on my "other" blog. Be Blessed!

Journey for My Father

The road seems longer
than I remember
twisting and turning,
rocky even.

I look for you
in the distance
but you are not there;
I follow the map given me.

The journey is difficult
tedious, and I fear
I can't make it.
You nudge me on.

In the middle
of the trek
I kneel down,
crying because moving is hard work.

You pick me up
carry me
to the edge
of the river.

Now I can see
my way much clearer;
Nothing refuses me,
safely, I arrive back home.