Monday, July 26, 2010

Praying for him...

Every girl has that one guy that makes her go weak at the knees, whether it’s your current boyfriend, your ex or that guy you always see at the bus stop every morning. We can name a guy who makes us all starry eyed with that butterfly feeling we all know very well.


Being in a relationship can be magical; late night phone calls, snuggling up on the sofa and romantic days out. As cliché as it sounds, us girls like the emotional side of the relationship and when everything is going so well, we close our eyes and cross our fingers and hope for the best. But there is one thing that we forget, why don’t we pray for our relationships? Pray for a future in it, pray for stability and pray for faithfulness.

Relationships are not really talked about in church and very often, young girls are left feeling helpless and shameful. There are mixed messages that parents, pastors and teachers often give to us young women, and the most common is STAY AWAY FROM BOYS AND FOCUS ON YOUR STUDIES. However, the reality of the situation brings to light many young girls who are involved in relationships.

Praying for your relationship shows your man that you are serious and God-fearing. As Proverbs 31:30 says: “A woman who fears the Lord, is to be praised.” Both of you being deep in Christ is the best foundation and building blocks for your relationship, when you have started in Christ, and continue to seek him diligently, you both will know Him in great ways. A relationship is covenant between God, you and him. A famous quote that I once heard is “a woman’s heart should be so deep in Christ, that for a man to seek her heart, he must go through Christ first” This is a beautiful quote that shows how deep the love a woman should have for God as she embarks on a journey with her man.

I once asked my mum how it is, that her and my dad have been together for 21 years, she replied to me “a couple that prays together stays together”.

Or maybe your relationship is at an all time low and you are feeling confused and lost. Pray for peace of mind and for spiritual awareness, if you don’t know how to pray, I have put a small prayer at the end of the blog that you can use and expand on. Sometimes as girls, we close our eyes, cross our fingers and hope for it to get better soon. It may not be the right relationship for you or maybe you need to bring your man to Christ. You may even be feeling tired of the whole thing (even though I don’t think I could ever get tired of waking up next to David Beckham!)

But how will you know if you have not prayed about it? Pray for strength to be able to stand up and be virtuous, put your self-worth first and know that before any man loved you; God loved you first. Your man may be going through difficult times and as girls we can feel useless in certain situations. But praying for him is the greatest gift you can give to him. Praying for somebody else shows selflessness which is how Christ taught us to live.

Therefore, God will answer our prayers for others more quickly and surely than prayers for ourselves, and, more than that, what we ask in prayer for others will come back to us.  An excellent Biblical example is found at the end of the Book of Job. If you read chapter 42:10, you will find this: "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before." As you can see, it was when Job prayed for his friends that he got blessed, and if you are familiar with the Book of Job, you will understand that it was forgiveness for his friends that he had to pray for. In the same way, God will often only act in our behalf when we take the initiative to pray for the needs, material and spiritual, of others.


Something that God put on my heart was also the situation about ex boyfriends. Many girls have been hurt in the past and it can be destructive both physically and spiritually. But know that you are a beautiful young woman who has been fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. Rebuke that spirit of depression or sadness; it has no place in your life. Your tongue is one of the most powerful tools you have; use it to claim blessings in your life. Use it to rebuke heartache and pain and use it to pray for the ones that hurt you. Proverbs 13:2 teaches us that from the fruit of your lips, you shall enjoy good.
The bible  also says we should forgive those who trespass against us; burdening pain in your heart is poisonous. Don’t let it kill you. Praying for someone that hurt you helps you to move on and blossom into the beautiful worthy woman has called you to be.

Some of you are reading this thinking, “I don’t have a boyfriend and have never had an ex”, but praying for the right guy to come along doesn’t start when you go on the first date. Pray that when the right guy comes along; you are able to see it. Pray that you may be far from any temptation that is a distraction to you. Even if he looks like Wentworth Miller! The right time will come when you are to be in a relationship, don’t succumb to peer pressure or feel under any strain. After all, in 1 Corinthians 17:32, it says that an unmarried person should only be concerned with the affairs of the Lord. Focus on whatever it is you are doing and pursue it to the highest degree.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life, and you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever. Stay blessed!





Please feel free to leave comments to debate, discuss and share any issues you feel like!



Prayer of salvation: Father, in heaven You said that, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." I know now that I can do nothing to save myself. You died on the cross and shed your blood for me. You paid for and took away all my sin and iniquity. I call on your name right now. Lord Jesus, save me! I believe in you now and believe that you died on the cross in my place, to pay the price for and take away all my sin.
In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Proverbs 11:16 -A kindhearted woman gains respect

 
One day, I hope to be an example to girls and women. Not because of me or my achievements but because of the Christ that lives in me. I want to be an example because I want to prove that you do not have to be a popular, rich ‘it-girl’ to be respected. You can come from an ordinary working-class background like myself, with an ordinary upbringing and still know Christ in great ways.
I have an outreach aim; to help the broken hearted the disappointed, and the rejected.
 
After being saved two years ago, it is only of recent that I noticed how hard the struggle is. Walking with Christ is harder than being in the world! This is something that I think Christians tend to forget. The common idea that life is a fairytale when you become ‘born-again’ is wrong. As Christians we experience so many trials and tribulations that help us reach God in the purest way possible. But these trials and tribulations are only hurdles and obstacles towards a greater outcome. I thank God for the happy and sad times in my life, all the glory belongs to him.
 
As women in our society, being Christ-like is hard. With constant reminders in the media showing us that ‘beauty’ is defined by sex appeal or by how big and round your bum and breasts are, image has now consumed our thoughts and conscience. But I want to rebuke that spirit in us and fight against it for we battle not against flesh but against principalities in this world.
I want to let females know that beauty has nothing to do with your physical appearance. Your weave, makeup or swagger has no input in your self worth. However, being virtuous is further than skin deep. It is an attribute which is emotional and spiritual and can only be achieved by accepting Christ Jesus as your Lord and saviour.
So many times, as women we experience disappointment or heartache whether it be at the hands of men or by another other means and it can destroy us both physically and mentally. Some girls feel worthless, while others even set out to intentionally hurt others. The old saying of ‘time is the greatest healer’ doesn’t really have effect in such situations. I personally believe that Christ is the best healer. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that being ‘saved’ means being born again. A new creation! Regardless of past situations and circumstances, all God wants is your heart.
“You won’t understand I’ve made some really bad mistakes” this is what some of you may be thinking or something that you may have thought of before. Rebuke it!! It is a lie from the devil who wants to see you fail.
The bible says Paul went about murdering Christians, yet he became one of the most anointed writers in the bible. No sin is too big for God no problem is too much for him.
“Okay so what do I do then?” Just give him your heart! That’s all. You don’t need to do a big sacrifice or give up your best pair of heels and wipe of all your makeup. Just your heart, that’s all God wants; the purest part of your body.