CHFWeb: My Mind Went Blank-Quotes to Ponder

My Mind Went Blank

We were going around the group, quickly sharing prayer requests. I glanced up at the clock. We were 5 minutes past the time we should have finished up. I was shivering because the sanctuary had been cold that morning. I wanted to get downstairs where my children were out of class by now. That's when our small group leader asked me if I would quickly close us in prayer. My mind went blank! I couldn't remember the different prayer requests that had just been shared. I couldn't even think of how to open my prayer. I started to mumble something and then stopped to apologize, "I'm sorry. My mind just went blank!" Encouraged by our small group leader, I quickly spoke a prayer. As I rushed down the stairs, I silently cried, "Lord, teach me to pray!"

In her book, Lord, Teach Me to Pray in 28 Days, Kay Arthur writes ...

"Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples" (Luke 11:1). Oh, what precious words those are to me, for they show me that prayer is a skill that can be learned. If prayer is a skill, then it is something I can develop with time and practice.

We had studied John 17 that morning in our Bible study. In this chapter, we hear Jesus speak to our Father in heaven. I kept thinking to myself how I wanted to pray powerfully and effectively like Jesus, but it took the humbling moment of my mind going blank to turn my thoughts into a deep desire for the Lord to teach me how to pray. As David wrote in Psalms 37:4 ...

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

In her article, "Taking the Lord at His Word: Don't Skip Over Your Privileges and Rights!", Barbara Smith writes ...

I can tell you this, however: God — the Creator and sustainer of the Universe delights to hear His children pray from their hearts where Christ rules. I cannot explain how the Sovereign Lord receives the prayers of mortals, but He does - actively.

Where do I begin? On my knees, seeking God. I begin by praying! I turn to the Lord, thanking Him for the wake-up call to come sit at His feet and learn how to pray! Kay Arthur says this so much better ...

Prayer begins by communicating with a God who, although you have never seen Him, is there--a God who "is a rewarder of those who seek Him."

Most of my books are packed up now since we'll be moving in a couple of weeks, but I have quite a few books on prayer. I've written about prayer before. It is not a new thought of mine to learn more about prayer or to desire to be more effective in my prayers. Still, I'm delighted to take another class on prayer with Jesus Christ as my Teacher. Thank You, Lord, for getting my attention, for giving me a desire to learn from You how to pray, and for humbling me with a blank mind!

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
- Acts 6:4

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. - James 5:16

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. - Hebrews 11:6

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. - Jeremiah 33:3

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. - 1 John 5:14-15

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. - Luke 11:1-4

The following books are available through Our Favorite Books Bookstore. All proceeds from Our Favorite Books Bookstore in association with Amazon.com go toward supporting the chfweb.com website. Thanks for your support!

Lord, Teach Me to Pray in 28 Days
by Kay Arthur
Kay Arthur's Precept Bible Studies are excellent! I've just started this one and I'm hopeful it will be as encouraging and convicting as the rest of her Bible studies have been.--Kathy Ridpath
Paperback: *Order Now!*

Taking the Lord at His Word:
"Don't Skip Over Your Privileges and Rights!"
by Barbara Smith
Many of you know Barbara Smith from her participation on CHFWeb. Her Web site is filled with articles that will encourage you. -- Kathy Ridpath
Link: *Read the Article!*


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"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord;
and great shall be the peace of thy children."
Isaiah 54:13