The Power Of An Ordinary Prayer

About The Book:  A touching gift book that helps readers understand the power and beauty of prayer and how it can transform our hearts, so that we can be a catalyst for transformation in others. Many of us seek to be blessed more than we seek to bless others. It's our heart aligned with the heart of God that brings blessing, because He is by nature extravagantly generous and loves giving gifts. No matter where readers are on their journey with God, they will be motivated and inspired to open their hearts and discover the abundant joy and peace that can be theirs through the power of a simple prayer of blessing.

About the Author:  Michael W. Smith is a multiple-time Grammy and Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter, having recorded more than twenty-two albums and written numerous hit songs.  Smith has written several best-selling books, including Old Enough to Know and Friends Are Friends Forever.  He and his wife, Debbie, have five children and live in Nashville.
My Thoughts On The Book:  In the book Smith reminds us that any prayer, no matter how small our needs or wants are prayer has the power to change our lives forever. Surrender is the key as we learn to place our lives in the best place possible; God's hands .I have discovered over the years in my own personal journey with God, that all He is asking from me is that I give up myself completely to Him, and this book tells me the same thing. The Power of An Ordinary Prayer is designed to give us an extra push when we need it. Thinking about prayer and my prayer life this book definitely helped me to be closer to God and to listen for His voice. This book would make a wonderful devotional on prayer, a beautiful gift to a friend who is struggling with their own prayer life, or just a special gift for another prayer warrior. The 128 page book will inspire you to listen to Him more daily.  Each chapter begins with a scripture, and ends with a prayer, quotes, and questions for application and further reflection.  It is a must have.

STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE: I received an paperback copy of this title from Worthy Publishing Company for review purposes. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.  Thanks guys for letting me read this and participate!

I Have Got To Tell You Something God....Are You Listening?

Yesterday was a funny day for me.  When I started to work I noticed I had a missed phone call from my daughter, Kat, at 10:00 the night before.  It worried me a bit because she knows I go to bed early...I tried to call her back.....but no answer.  So on my Hwy 22 Daily Ride I said a quick prayer that everything was alright.  At noon, one of our church members, who never calls me, called.  I did not get the call and when I tried to call her back there was no response....so once again....I dropped my head and prayed for the unknown.  On my way home I got Kat and she had an "Our God is AMAZING" story to tell me.  It was one of those where you get cold chills.  I finally got our church member too and she shared a health issue with me that was worrying her when she called.  I have discovered...you don't have to drop to a knee, Teebow style....all you have to do is offer up a prayer.....my class never knew I prayed.  The drivers I came into contact with on Hwy 22 never knew they were passing a car that was being fueled by prayer power.  I have really learned in the past few years that prayer is not just a monologue where one person(me) does all the talking.  That is what I thought it was for a long time.  I believed it was a time for me to list all my wants and needs before the Lord.  I also discovered that it is not a ritual where we must say things in the right order.  (You should hear some of my Hwy 22 prayers.)  It is also not a chore to get out of the way like brushing teeth before going to bed.  Nope!  It is a conversation....with a friend.  To me it is a time for pouring out my frustrations, joys, tears, griefs, gripes.  Jesus tells us in the Bible (Matthew 6:6 to be exact) to "Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. Well...let me tell you....my HHR on Hwy 22 is my prayer closet. It is in the confines of my car that the focus shifts from me to God, and somewhere on the road I begin to experience God's grace.  For many years I have to admit tht prayer had very little to do with my life.  I played at prayer.  It was kind of like the National Anthem at a ballgame....something I  began stuff with.  I also used it like a rabbit's foot and prayed only when I needed help out of hot water. It was not until I finished a Beth Moore Bible Study that I began to see prayer as more like breathing. I don't breathe when I feel like it....I breathe to survive.....and I pray like that too.  I love the feel of oxygen coursing through my lungs and have grown to love the feel of prayer coming out of my heart and mouth. Oxygen is like prayer....without oxygen you die....without prayer you die spiritually.  So how is your prayer life today?  1 Thessalonians 5:17 -"Pray without ceasing."  What a great way to start the new year....don't you think??

I Pray You Enough

My sweet friend Rhonda lost her mother suddenly back at the first of the year. She has a very tight family and it has truly been difficult for her....and her family to get through this mourning time. I am struggling with the illness of my father...and am watching him slowly waste away to nothing before my very eyes...and feel useless because there is nothing I can do. Anyways, Rhonda sent me this email today...and I felt I just had to share it with all of you out there in blogland....some of you may be hurting...or may not know that tomorrow things may be different than they are today....whatever...read this and remember to always pray enough.

"Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate,they hugged, and the mother said, 'I love you, and I pray you enough.'
The daughter replied, 'Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I pray you enough, too, Mom.' They kissed, and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?' Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?' 'Well...I'm not as young as I once was, she lives so far away & has her own busy life. I have some challenges ahead, and the reality is - her next trip back will be for my funeral,' she said. 'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I pray you enough.' May I ask what that means?' She began to smile. 'That's a prayer that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.' She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and she smiled even more.'When we said, 'I pray you enough,' we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.' Then, turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Then, she began to cry, and walked away.

They say, it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but an entire life to forget them."

So I encourage you my friends that I know...and ones I have yet to meet....my family and my loved ones to:

TAKE TIME TO LIVE..... and I PRAY YOU ENOUGH.......

Wonderful News for a Stormy Wednesday

I am so very excited. Today was my father's last radiation treatment. He is through and none the worse for the wear. His chipperness has returned in a diminished capacity...but there. He still has hair...just not as much as he used to have. I want so to run my fingers through his hair like I did as a child....but the last time I touched his hair I brought a handful back with me...and it was a freaky feeling. I know my mom will be glad to be through with radiation....everyday...five days a week...gets old fast. She loves early morning appointments....and after his hospital stay....they lost that slot and had to go everyday at 2:00. That timing element curtailed their rambling a bit. His appetite is returning somewhat...although slowly. He bought some green beans, new potatoes and tomatoes at the Avondale truck farmer. I snapped them all (we will be eating beans for a while), and cooked them, the potatoes, some fresh squash, porkchops, cornbread, and sliced up tomatoes and onions. He ATE! I was tickled to see him put the veggies away. I will cook them for him everyday if he will eat them. So life at the Korb house is returning to some resemblance of normalcy and for that I am glad. The stress of the cancer treatments took their toll on all of us. It is not fun to see someone you love lose their hair, their appetite, their personality...everything! I realize that my dad is 83 years old and things will continue to arise and we will deal with each one as it comes. It is a good thing that God is on our side. I would hate to know we had to face this alone. I want to thank each of you who offered up a prayer for my dad's healing. I love this man. I love all of you! I stand before you today to let you know that prayer works. PTL!