If I learned one thing from MC Hammer it was how to Hammer dance. Now it may be a humorous impersonation of the dance that he made famous, but I can do it. My wife even asks dares me to do it at wedding receptions. Now if there are two things that I learned from MC Hammer it’s that “we need to pray just to make it today.” That’s word, we pray.”
When it comes to prayer most people don’t make time for, don’t know what to say, say they will pray for you but then forget, or only pray when someone is sick. I tend to lean more towards Mr. Hammer’s understanding of prayer. We need to pray just to make it today.
I can accomplish a lot of things without God. Don’t stone me for that comment. Or I guess the internet equivalent to stoning is spam. Don’t spam me for that comment. God allows people to find love, happiness, and riches without Him. I know lots of people who have tightened up their boot straps and have worked hard to have a good life. I would say however, that their life is incomplete without a relationship with God. None the less they have the finer things in life and they don’t acknowledge God. The point is that God allows people to accomplish great things without prayer. But everything great that we can accomplish is meaningless without a relationship with God.
Here are some things that I think we should be praying for…
- Our kids to know Jesus. Raising kids is insanely hard. I’m six months into it and I don’t have a fat clue how I’d do it without God’s help. If I learned anything from growing up in church it’s that having a dad for a pastor is not a guarantee that you will love Jesus. I can influence my kids to love Jesus. I can model how to love Jesus. But at the end of the day they will have to have a relationship that’s their own. I pray for them to know Jesus.
- Wisdom. There are so many situations where I just don’t know what to do. That’s where wisdom comes in. I often pray that God would give me the wisdom to know what’s right and the courage to do what’s right even when it’s hard.
- Marriages that do more than suck. Marriage is hard work. Trying to love like the Bible commands…impossible. Impossible without God’s help. The Bible tells husbands to love their wives like He loved the church and it tells wives to respect their husbands. When people see our marriages they should be drawn to Jesus. When they look at how husbands love their wives they should see an example of how Jesus loves the church. When they look at how wives love their husbands they should see an example of how the church is supposed to love Jesus. That’s not natural to do. It’s natural to be selfish and to have a suck marriage.
- Our friends, family, and neighbors who don’t know Jesus.
- To know Jesus. The Bible says that if we seek God we will find Him. I want to know God. I know that on my own I can’t love God.
I want to experience life to the full. I believe that we need Jesus in order to do just that. That’s why I pray just to make it today. That’s word, we pray.
What are you praying for right now? I’d love to pray for you.
Right now there are two things:
1. For the college students are are starting our praise and worship team.
2. For the upcoming changes that may surprise some.
Prayed as soon as I read your comment. Are these changes with your blog or church? I think I saw something on Twitter about you mixing things up with your blog.
Rob, you will do well if you focus on those goals for your life.i can look at my two kids in college and see their love for Christ. I have done my job well… With Gods grace. Never quit on your kids and all the others that enter your life. It is a gift to show Christ, slathered with lots of grace to these kiddos.
Pray for me? No, I assure you that my life is perfect. Couldn’t be freakin’ better … yeah that’s it. Ugh.
Daniel, done. I prayed for you anyway.
Did you have Hammer pants?
I’m praying for our church, we are in search of a new Pastor. Praying that we will focus on God’s will for us and not our will.
Sele, no. I looked into it but they are really expensive. They would really help sell the dance though. Maybe one day. I prayed for you and your church. Let me know where it’s at and if they have a website. I know some people who might be interested.
Thanks for your prayers. The church is located in Farmville, NC – about 2 hours south of you. Just a small town church. website is marlborochurch.com
Sele, I used to live in Farmville, VA.I didn’t know there was a Farmville, NC.
yep, it is about 15 miles west of Greenville NC
Praying for a church-pastor match that will find each other, grow each other, and dynamically increase and empower the Kingdom of God.
This morning I woke up, took a shower that lasted about 10 miutes. I got dressed and ate breakfast took a total of about 30 minutes. Knelt down to pray, maybe 40 seconds. Something is definatly wrong with how my morning went this morning. I have several things that I need prayer for, but one thing is for sure, is I need prayer to increase my prayer life! I enjoy reading quotes. Through out the day when I get a few minutes I will search the web for famous quotes. One I remember reading long ago, and to be honest I can’t remember the quoter, but says “Today I have an extremely busy day, I believe I will spend the first two hours of it in prayer”. Wow, just to have a mind that thinks like that.
In all honesty, I think a lot of us as Christians back burner prayer. It is our direct line to God, and is seldom used like it should. Sure when trouble arises we tend to find our knees and quite place more often, but daily doses I tend to neglect.
Joseph, I prayed that you would be reminded to have some daily doses of prayer today.
Our eldest daughter has just left school and needs to find a job, I’m praying that she will be answered on an interview she had last week – and of course that she will start coming back to church with us and accept Jesus personally.
T.C. prayed for your daughter. I really do believe she’s going to come back around. Keep praying for her and don’t give up hope.
Thanks Rob, and thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog.
I pray that God give me a compassionate heart like Jesus had for the helpless. I need this in todays self absorbed life. I’m starting to ach for it…
Also, for my wife to find a job…struggling just a little finacial…but God always provides…(just would be nice to have some breathing room)
Arny, I prayed for both you and your wife. I prayed that God would bring opportunities your way to show a compassionate heart.
I am on my way to Florida, to see my very active parents. Please pray for my dad,diagnosed last week with terminal cancer. Appreciate prayers for healing , peace and guidance, all in Gods will and timing. He is always faithful and always good.
Dale, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. I prayed for him as soon as I read this. Please keep me posted.
I’ve added your family to my prayers and our church prayer list. God Bless.
1. My son starts Musician’s Institute on Monday (in Hollywood, California)
2. Health of the new litter of puppies that we will be picking a puppy from (the first litter all passed away after receiving medication from the Vet that they had a bad reaction to)
3. Peace, courage and strength for my new friend Monica (the breeder of the puppies) so she can take care of this new litter with no fear.
Cindy, prayed for you as soon as I read this. That’s really cool about your son. I pray that he makes a HUGE difference for Jesus in Hollywood.
Praying for our financial situation.
Praying for my kids to find their way back to Jesus.
Praying for children here and around the world that are hurt, exploited, hungry, alone…
Praying for our leaders, government and otherwise.
Praying, praying, praying…
RebeccaF, I prayed for as soon as I read this. Have you read any of Dave Ramsey’s stuff. His book Total Money Makeover is a game changer. I highly recommend it!
haha, any reference to MC is priceless. I just wish my kids could get this reference.
Me too. Er…my kids that is. I plan on playing for them Can’t Touch This when they are old enough to respect it.
I mainly just learned when was a proper time to stop what I was doing and begin carpentry work.
You’re a good man, Rob Shep, for being willing to pray like you do, and being able to remind us to do the same.
Thanks Joseph. I pray that you become a famous carpenter.
Just trying to live up to my namesake. I’ll also wear awesome multicolored jackets.
And we need to pray for our blogging friends, new and old.
Larry, I prayed that God would bless many people through your blog. I asked for more traffic then you could ask or imagine.
I taught my almost 4yo the hammer dance. Sadly, she wimped out and didn’t perform during her first ballet lesson. #weak
Right now, praying for a fresh perspective in a few areas.
Dustin, I prayed that God would open your eyes and that you would see a fresh perspective. Excited to hear what this is.
1. Praying for my dad. He needs a kidney transplant and we think my mom is a match.
2. Praying that potty training will go smoothly.
3. Praying that I get to start culinary school next year.
4. Praying for people that seem determined to self destruct.
Deanna, Prayed for you as soon as I read your comment.
Pray for rain in Las Vegas. Thanks Rob! 🙂
Ed, I PFR for Vegas. Let me know when God answers that prayer.
I have a running conversation with God all day long, but I dont take the time to meditate and concentrate on God like I should. I pray that my house in Portsmouth sells. I pray for my Finace in Afghanistan. I really feel that God is working great things for me right now and I pray that I can be up for the challenge.