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Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Transparent Tuesday

I stole this beautiful picture off of my sweet friend's facebook page. Isn't she gorgeous?!

She's as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. I learned a powerful lesson from her many years ago. She was a high school student and I was helping co-lead a bible study for the girls her age. It's kind of ironic because I'm pretty sure they taught me more than I taught them!

Let me back up a little before I share her powerful words...

I grew up 'knowing how to pray' but I was never in a position where I had to pray out loud, except with my family of course. But still, those prayers were very contrite and mundane.

It wasn't until I started helping with the high school girls that I "learned" how to pray out loud. It can be really intimidating letting others listen to your intimate moments with God. But talk about the ultimate transparency! Laying it all out there and speaking from the depths of your heart, wow...that's raw!


So I'll take you to the night I learned this powerful lesson from a young high school girl...

There were likely 12-15 girls and we were sitting in a circle. Each girl would say their prayer then the next would go and so on. I was listening intently but getting sweaty at the same time. My mind was racing..."what was I going to say? Would it come out right? I'm no good at praying out loud. I'm so going to stumble over all my words!" My time came and went and who knows what I said or "if I did good," but then came the sweet words of this beautiful young woman..."God, help us to fall more in love with you each day!"


That's it... ONE sentence! I was blown away by this. Who knew you could say so much with so little?!

So, friends, if you're in a place where you don't even know what to pray, start with one simple sentence. That's all it takes. God knows your heart. Your words are just the icing on the cake. He doesn't need your words as much as he wants your heart!


I'd love to pray for you, my friends. If there's something that's heavy on your heart or if there's a praise that's waiting to be celebrated, leave me a comment or send me an email, dfrieling1@gmail.com.

3 comments:

pam {simple details} said...

I clearly remember those feelings when I first joined a bible study, panic! I would've never guessed anyone else was feeling the same, they all seemed so comfortable, maybe not? It still makes me nervous! Another great reminder that God doesn't care if we're perfect!

CM said...

Dana, your blog is so lovely to read. I love reading your posts about design, helping others, and your transparent tuesday posts - what a blessing you are!

And wow, yes, that is a powerful sentence.

Diana @ Your Day Simplified said...

Praying out loud has always been a difficult thing for me to do too! When the opportunity arises, it certainly validates your relationship with God. Hopefully to him and certainly to others around you.
I hope God continues to use you to express his love for all of us! Thanks

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