APACHE PRAYER GROUP

Comment

Comment by Phoebe Macon on October 3, 2010 at 12:44am

FROM: ALL ABOUT LIFE CHALLENGES: "PRAYER FOR STRESS RELIEF"

Prayer For Stress Relief - Does Prayer Work to Reduce Stress?

Let us face the facts: we all have stress. It is the way we deal with stress that differs. The good news is that prayer for stress relief works! Prayer is that unique form of communication with God available to the believer that, when used often and in accordance with God's will, brings us into alignment with God's viewpoint. Being in good alignment means that our whole being is put into its proper perspective and that means life is less stressful and we are better able to deal with the stress we do have.

A proper perspective of our reality is often the biggest stress reliever there is. There is a saying, "Don't sweat the small stuff, it is all small stuff." The proper perspective helps us to understand that our stress is not unique or strange and it cannot defeat us without our help. In other words, when it comes to stress, we give it the power that it has over us. Living a prayer-centered life changes that equation. It is also an amazing thing of irony, but praying for others or intermediary prayer helps to put our own needs into perspective. Because when we focus upon the needs of others, our own needs become less of a focus. "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4).

The adage that "Prayer changes things," is only partly right, especially in stress relief. Prayer changes the one doing the praying. God is sovereign and when we pray, we are told to pray with in the will of God as Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 6:9-13. This model of prayer is a good basis to start from and it can lead us into a deeper life of prayer. This deeper communion with Christ has a result of bringing a clearer understanding of our dependence upon God and His grace, which changes us and can consequently result in changing "things."

James makes this statement: "You ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'" (James 4:15). Therefore, when we are praying, we need to do so not with a personal laundry list but with the attitude of submission to God and His will. That is not to say that we should not use prayer for stress relief. "You do not have, because you do not ask God" (James 4:2). There is nothing in our lives that God does not know about so when we pray we are not informing Him. Rather, we are bringing our will into alignment with His Will.

But how does prayer relieve stress? When we communicate with God, we do so on a one-to-one basis with no intermediary. This is the only time when we can be honest with ourselves and with God. You'll find no artifice in the prayer closet. One can't simply mumble "I'm fine" when one is alone with God. The realizations that God knows our frame, has a clear understanding of who and what we are, and that He loves us anyway gives us a humility that strips us of false pride and opens our heart to allow the LORD to change us. Situations that cause stress in our life may not change instantly, but our attitude of peace in the face of the stress will make our life seem different. The result of prayer as a stress relief is the recognition of our dependence upon the "Prince of Peace" to bring us through anything!

A prayer for stress relief might include some of the following statements to God: "Father, I know that You know my life and You know the problems and stress that I face. Help me to keep my eyes not on the problems or the stressful situations, but upon You and Your mercy and grace. Father, I cannot change the situations that cause stress in my life but I know that You can. LORD, keep my heart humble and willing to submit to the 'all things' that you have allowed into my life. Father, give me Your strength to stand because although I do not understand how this will change me, I know that You are working in and through me to conform my life to glorify You. Lead me into Your truth by helping me to surrender to Your Word. In the name of Jesus, Amen."

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We have all sinned and deserve God's judgment. God, the Father, sent His only Son to satisfy that judgment for those who believe in Him. Jesus, the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that He died for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve, was buried, and rose from the dead according to the Bible. If you truly believe and trust this in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your Savior, declaring, "Jesus is Lord," you will be saved from judgment and spend eternity with God in heaven.

Comment by Andrea Williams on September 21, 2010 at 10:51pm

Amen!
My Prayers go out to everyone. God bless you all and take care!
Love Andrea

Comment by Edmund Stevens on September 21, 2010 at 10:34pm

AMEN to the prayer Phoebe for our Classmates and their
family members and I hope they all will be well soon!
-Ed

Comment by Phoebe Macon on September 21, 2010 at 10:11pm

PRAYER

Lord,
We come lifting up our Class of 1975 Classmates and their Family members. Lord we ask that you touch them and heal them. Lord, you said that by your stripes we are healed. Lord, we ask for healing in all of their bodies. Lord, you said that your word is medicine and life. Lord, we know that nothing is too hard or impossible for you. Lord, we ask that they all will find comfort in your presence and in your promise to never leave them. Lord, we ask that you give strength and patience to each of them and their families as they wait for their bodies and their loved ones bodies to heal and mend. Lord, we ask for a total restoration of health for everyone included in this prayer and for those who are ill that we do not yet know of. Lord, let us be mindful to always give you the victory, the glory, and the honor in this and in all things. This prayer we ask in your Precious Name. AMEN

Comment by Phoebe Macon on September 21, 2010 at 10:09pm

Prayer for Our 1975 Classmates:

1)-Reggie Hall : Recovering from a Stroke (Home now)

2)-Larry Williams' (Wife): Suffered a Stroke and is now in a Coma (still in the Hospital)

3)-Lanita McElroy-Jackson-Williams' (Husband) Hubert Williams: Recovering from his 3rd Stroke (Home now)

4)Cheryl Agers: Recovering from a Stroke (still in the Hospital)


Please remember to keep all of these Classmates in your prayers!!

Comment by Phoebe Macon on September 14, 2010 at 1:36am

Thanks Earline for Joining the Apache Prayer Group and thanks for your Group comment. Prayer is one of the BEST FREE GIFTS that we can give to one another!!
Love and Blessings, Phoebe Macon c/o '75

Comment by earline singleton on September 13, 2010 at 7:53pm

Thanks for the prayer group. Prayer is one of the things that I can always use.

Comment by Phoebe Macon on September 13, 2010 at 3:13pm

TO ALL ALUMNI: I SAID A PRAYER FOR YOU TODAY

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