Faithful

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. -- Romans 12:12

I have to admit to everyone reading this. I have a serious problem. I am a fixer. I am that person, when things are tough in my life, I try to fix it. I don't mean home repair, I mean within myself. I am guilty of trying to be the strong one, and doing things myself. I don't ask for help. And even when help is offered, I always say "I am okay!" I can do all of this with a big plastered smile on my face. My first reaction to most situations is not prayer, but "What can I do to solve this problem?" I tell myself that God is too busy to listen to my piddly needs. He is working on bigger things and needs to be with those people who cannot solve their own problems. I was raised in a house where whining was not an option, you make a decision to solve your problems on you own.

After reading the verse above, I realize that Paul is calling us to be faithful in our prayer. It means that we should be committed, constant, and loyal to prayer. Paul was writing to the church in very difficult times, encouraging them to joyful, patient, and faithful. My question is, how can I be joyful, patient, and faithful in the hard times of my life?

I have faced some horrific times, and have tried to work them out on my own. When I can't do it, I go the Father like a whipped puppy and ask for help. Wouldn't it be easier to be faithful and pray for His help in the beginning? It has taken me a long time to understand what this verse truly means, but now that I do, I am trying to make a conscious effort be faithful in prayer. I know that I will face situations that I know that I can handle, and those that I know I can't. Whatever situations that I face, I am going to choose to lift all of my moments (good and bad) to God in prayer.

Lord, today I offer my life to you. In all the places where I am capable and even those places where I am not, I ask that you be present in all of these... Amen!