Should I Pray for Myself?

Someone recently asked me a question that I think everyone who has accepted Jesus as their Savior asks themselves at one point or another: Should I pray for myself? In fact, here is the exact question:

"I notice going thru storms I pray a lot for myself. Is that selfish and do I show a lack of faith when I pray for myself?"

The short answer is, no, it is not selfish in the least to pray for yourself, nor do you show a lack of faith. Let's look at Paul, I would think he was pretty strong in his faith.

Paul not only prayed for himself, but even asked others to pray for him. When Paul was given the thorn in his flesh, he says he pleaded with God three times to remove it. (2 Cor. 12:7-10) That sounds a lot like someone praying for help in a storm. There are also several times when Paul requests prayers for himself:

Romans 15:30; Ephesians 6:18-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Colossians 4:2-4

So, does asking for prayer, or praying for yourself show a lack of faith? I would actually say the opposite. The fact that you are asking shows a GROWTH in faith! By asking for help in your time of need, you are telling Jesus "I trust You." You are casting your cares on Him, and imploring Him to be your source of strength. No, by asking for Christ's help you are not in any way showing a lack of faith.

Maybe the most telling truth that we SHOULD pray for ourselves is the fact that Jesus Christ, who we are following, prayed for Himself. Just before his crucifixion, He prayed that God would take the cup from Him if possible. (Luke 22:39-44) But as He prayed, He became more in anguish and prayed even harder. I would think that Jesus, knowing what He was about to face, was praying for courage, strength, and the will to follow through with such an incredible task. If our Lord saw it fit to pray for Himself, shouldn't we?

In Christ,
jon walton

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I Took a Bite Out of My Keys...

I hate being rushed. Being busy is fine and having lots to do is fine, but being rushed just puts me on edge and kinda stresses me out. You know what I mean. When people say, "I need this yesterday!" or "Hurry up!" I like to do things on my time. I want to do things well and be able to think about what I am doing, not have to make quick decisions and more than likely the wrong one.

I was in a hurry one morning recently. I had overslept and was trying to get everything done and still get to work on time. I was getting my son ready, packing his lunch, packing my lunch, getting my things for work, and neither one of us had eaten breakfast yet. I told him to buy his breakfast and I put a couple of pieces of bread in the toaster for me. I gathered up everything, grabbed the toast as it popped up and headed out to the truck. After putting my son and all the stuff in the truck, I grabbed my keys out of my pocket as I rushed to make my way to the driver's seat. I sat down, took a bite out of my keys and shoved my toast into the ignition. I hate being rushed.

I am so glad that the God I serve is never rushed. He never oversleeps, He never gets in a hurry, He never has to make last second decisions. His plan is being carried out just as He set it up. He is never surprised by anything, never caught off guard, and He never has to jump to a conclusion. I am glad to put my trust in the God that has it all under control and is allowing everything to happen in His time.

There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven.
-Ecclesiastes 3:1

In Christ,
jon walton

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Orange or Red?

We usually go out to eat on Sundays for lunch after church with friends, family, or just about anyone who will come. I love being around people, talking, and finding out about people and what is going on in their lives. It is just enjoyable to me and my family to get to know people on a deeper level than just "Hi, how are you?"
As we were getting ready to leave the restaurant at one such occasion, my son began asking, "Dad, do you have any money?" He wanted quarters for the turn machines with small toys or candy in them. "No, I don't buddy" I said checking my pockets, "but you really don't need anything do you?" Not being detoured by my comment he turns to the other source of happiness in his life available, "Mom, do you have any money?" I heard him ask as they walked to the door and I waited in line to pay. After paying for the food, I meet them at the door, my son had a handful of candy. "I got bones, dad!" he explained with enthusiasm showing me all his candy shaped like dog bones. " We stood and talked a bit more as we were saying our goodbyes to our friends, then went to our respective vehicles. It was at my truck where my son amazed me again.
"Orange or red, dad?" my son said pretty randomly as I was opening the truck door for him to get in. "Orange." I said simply because it was the first thing that popped into my head. Smiling, my son handed me a tiny orange candy bone, then put the red one he still had in his mouth. It was and unprovoked act of kindness on his part. An act of kindness to someone who just moments ago told him he didn't need the candy, yet he was showing love anyway.
Who was the last person who told you "no"? Have you chosen to show them love anyway? Who was the last person to be mean to you? Have you chosen to show them love anyway? Who was the last person to let you down? Have you chosen to show them love anyway?

And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
-Ephesians 4:32

In Christ,
jon walton

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