mountains and mustard seeds

     I enjoy an abundant  prayer life. I am so grateful that God hears my prayers and your prayers. He knows our thoughts full well. Enjoying a prayer LIFE is a deeply personal communication with our maker.  Though reciting small ritual prayers ( before dinner, if you say the Apostles Creed, closing your eyes or bowing your head in church while someone else prays etc)  IS also prayer, I am referring in this incredibly sacred space we can think, whisper, or shout unto His very ears. Others have different views on prayer.  Mine is a simple and sometime bold communication. I had surgery just 12 days ago. The first three days were prayers of actual pleading for help through painful moments. They were prayers of thanks for everyone that prayed for me to help get me through. The were short, but in those very moments I cried out to Him. 

     I refer to these as S.O.S. Prayers. They aren't my usual long conversations, they are what I do in other crisis moments for myself or when interceding for others as well. I have this "thing" where I feel a twinge of guilt when I pray S.O.S. Prayers. He knows my needs and surely will fulfill them in some way. I question myself, " am I doubting? do I lack faith if I feel I am begging?" 

    Yes, I have faith. Yes, it wavers at times. I don't need to feel guilt because when I read The Bible (what I call listening to God), it reassures me that even people like Abraham himself who was WITH God had some crazy talks with Him. In moments of crisis ( death, illness, profound fear) and in times of smaller needs ( where are my car keys?) God cares. He can move mountains and I have seen miracles. How much faith do you need? The size of a mustard seed. To be brutally straightforward I know I am not to compare myself with others because I am like clay and God is the potter. No two vessels will ever be alike. Having that said, I often think others have much greater faith than me. I also feel selfish praying for myself unless it is for My gratitude prayers. So in moments of doubt, the mustard seed verse helps me tremendously.

     So whether your prayers are to help you move mountains with faith that seems as teeny as a little dried mustard seed, I think it's critical to remember not how minuscule your faith might be, but how powerful and merciful God is. I have listed some scripture below that helps my prayer life, and I hope that you will read them and in doing so, it might help one single person in a time of need. I prefer the King James versions of the Holy Bible, if you don't own a bible: verses are easily found on the Internet and bible apps are usually free. 
These verses I have put in my own words. Please look to scripture
Romans 8:26 is my favorite s.o.s. Verse. Even the spirit prays when I don't have the words.

• 1 Peter 5:7 if you have anxiety or fear tell God, he cares!
• Psalm 73:26 my body is weak but God isn't 
• Matthew 5:3-14 Beautitudes. Blessed is ...
• James 5:17 for over 3 years someone prayed the same thing
• Psalm 18:6 in my crisis I cried to God and my prayer went right into His ears
• Philippians 4:6-7 stop worrying about everything, pray instead.

     I woke up at 3:30 and am tired, but thankful for the 6 hours of sleep I did get last night.
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