How can you Pray for the Girls in your Life?

I've been meaning to finish up this series and it's been 2 months since I last wrote a post for it! I'm hoping to have it finished up by next week!

For this part of the series, I asked my girlies what they usually need prayer for most:

Guys and the emotions that go with them
God's direction
Worry
Attitude
Confidence
Strength
Self image
Health
Arguing
Self control
Obedience cheerfully
Procrastination
To be closer to God/Hungering for God/Staying strong in God's faith

Each of these things are daily struggles and when you pray for, pray with them, it is such an encouragement!

"Knowing that someone is praying for me, usually brings me a peace, knowing I'm not in it alone."

"I feel stronger."

"I would feel stronger. It really tends to help me when I know that someone cares enough to pray for me in a hard situation. It is effected in a positive way. I tend to be able to say no to myself easier, and it gives me joy."

"I'd love it if someone was praying for these things. It makes me feel loved and it also makes me feel like I'm not alone in my struggles. It's a great feeling to know that someone is on the sidelines rooting for you and praying for you. When someone is praying hard for me, I can see it. Loads start to feel lighter and my prayers start to slowly get answered. Whether it's a yes or a no to a prayer, it'll still be answered in some way. Sometimes it takes a while, but something always happens. Sometimes I'm shown the purpose for a situation or I'm given more wisdom. Prayer always works in the way it's supposed to for that situation."

Now, one of them gave an interesting point, and I'd like you to think about this carefully. When you pray for someone, it should be done in a loving-kind way. Don't pray for, pray with. Praying for is when you're asking God 'for' something and/or on behalf of the other person. Praying with is when you are both praying in agreement for the same thing.

"I think my attitude on people praying for me changes with the person who is doing the praying. If, say, a person I find to be self-righteous or hypocritical is praying for my faults to be absolved, I might not truly appreciate their prayer. More likely, it would completely get on my nerves; however, if I truly have a relationship with the person and know that they will not hold my faults against me in a "I am holier than thou" type of way, then the prayer is greatly appreciated, much wanted, and much needed."

Prayer is so important. Take time today to pray for the girls in your life. Tell them you're praying for and with them. And as I said, it's such an encouragement to know someone is praying for you.

Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Trust God Always

Sometimes it's hard to trust God. We turn to the world, to our friends, to our money, and to our "love life" for consolation during tough times. And by doing so, we forget we have an awesome God who has created everything. 

Recently my friend was really upset. Over a year ago she had a broken headlight on the car she was driving. She was pulled over, warned, and ordered to have to fixed as soon as she got home. She took care of it, sent in paperwork and it was resolved. Just a few days ago she got a letter saying that they never received the paperwork. She told me what had happened, and was clearly upset. I told her I'd pray about it with her. A few hours later she told me that she had forgotten to trust God and talk to him about her problems. When she realized and remembered that he had everything under control, she felt peace and was able to trust God. 

I've had several friends come to me recently, for advice and prayer. I will tell you this: I'm always willing to talk and pray with you, but never forget that God is always there. He's always in control. He's always there with open arms, waiting for you fall back into his unfathomable love, mercy, and grace. Don't let the worries of the world stop you from trusting in God. He'll be there for every problem, for every heartache, for every eensy-weensy sniffle, and every terrible disease. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.