Prayer

Good morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the beautiful, fallish day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, the sky was clear and the three quarter moon was shining brightly, but the stars were also visible and looking awesome. The cool breeze was blowing and it really feels like fall with the temps in the seventies. There is hope, yet, for cooler weather!

It wasn't quite so cool yesterday when I walked, but I enjoyed it anyway, I didn't see any sign of the gators at the first nest, but the ground is still freshly trampled and boggy. I looked under the bridge, but did not see a baby, so walked on to the big oak and no sign of life there as far as animals are concerned. So, I went on to the old nest and looked and looked and finally found one baby almost hidden under some bushes. 

I went on to the tower and as I came back, I looked once again for the babies and finally found three. I talked to Mama gator as if she were there, when all at once, there was a great splash right beneath me, under the boardwalk, so I knew she was there. I went to the other side and, sure enough, there was her head resting in the mud, directly below me. I have a feeling the other babies were under there with her. God is Good!

When I went back to the first shelter, I looked again for a baby gator, didn't see one, but heard the grunt, so I know the baby was under the shelter, out of sight. The gator grunts are unmistakable. Speaking of that, I hope the Gators win tomorrow!!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Why is prayer important?

Matthew 7:7-11 Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. You parents--if your children  ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! IF you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

There's more to prayer than just getting an answer. God also does a work of grace in our own hearts through the act of prayer. As we persist in asking, seeking, and knocking, we gain a  greater understanding of ourselves and of God.

How will God respond to my prayers?

Psalm 55:22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.

We experience freedom  when we give a burden over to the Lord in prayer--even before the prayer is answered. The assurance of God's love and concern refreshes us and renews our hope.

Philippians 4:6-7 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful thank the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

There's no limit on prayer. Big requests, small requests, and all sizes in between are welcomed by God. If something botheds us, it should be brought to God.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis