I will pray for you...later

Now this is about a very terrible habit I used to have. I would tell someone, "Oh, I will pray for you" and then forget to actually DO IT. Even in my own life circumstances, I would say "I will pray about it or, we should pray about this or that" and again, forget to actually do it.

I think this makes the Devil's day. He doesn't care what we promise to do, it's what we ACTUALLY do that is either serves God or serves him.

So in the last few years, I've learned to pay attention to the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit's prompting. I was having a conversation with my mom and once again saying my line of "we should pray about it" with no intention of praying at THAT moment. But that's exactly what I felt in my heart, as clear the morning after a rain...PRAY NOW. I was almost startled at the thought. Then I said to my mom, "why don't we pray now?" and she paused for a minute, and said "Okay, yes, let's pray now!" There is something amazing about praying in that very moment too, try it and see!

So ever since that experience a few years ago, I've disciplined my lazy self to DO what I say, right then and there, rather than waiting for the "perfect time to actually do it." We will not know, this side of heaven, how important timing and prayer truly are.

I also noticed something else about Jesus' prayer life. That He not only prayed for people in the moment He was with them, but He set aside time to talk to His Father in Heaven.

Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Luke 6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

We can do this too, anything that Jesus did, we can be sure that doing it too will be a benefit and blessing to us! Get alone where the distractions of the world can't compete for your interest, and pray to God. For me, at this point of life with two little ones to care for, it's in the car driving and the shower. But you find your best "alone" time and make it happen.

I encourage you to not only say you will pray when someone needs it, but to do it then and there, even with them, because of Matthew 18:22 "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." How cool is that? God is there with you when you pray together! I loooove that. Of course there will be times you actually cannot pray at that moment, but be sure to follow through and pray as you have promised. If I can learn to keep my word, anyone can!

And second, make time for you and God. It will become one of your most cherished times, those that you have spent in the presence of God with your mind focused on Him and able to finally hear that "still, small voice" that same one that spoke to Elijah ( 1 Kings 19:13).

God bless your socks off! Right now and far into the coming new year!

And that's your daily diamond! Huge love, Tiffany