prayer.

again. this post shall be upon prayer. i'm not sure if i said it completely last time...for this has been rolling over in my mind quite a bit as of late. but, prayer. does it make a difference? i often have defaulted to the position that God will do whatever he pleases, and what difference does my petition make? God knows best...so why interupt his plans w/ my silly pleas? But...what of Abraham asking God to save Sodom and Gomorrah? (Gen 18). God seems about to destroy the city completely...but Abraham pleads for it to be saved and the Lord listens. So, prayer works. Right? God also listens to his people when what they desire is NOT the best. For instance...when the Israelites want an earthly king because the rest of the nations have one. God warns them why this isn't such a grand idea, but they continue to want one. So, my argument has many holes and isn't well developed. That's not really my point. My point is that many of these thoughts have been flying around my head. What should I pray for? What really matters? How much of my prayers should be about me and my heart? and how much for those dying around me? How much should be specific confession to sin...and how much to just praising him and who he is? How are the Spirit, God the father, and God the son intertwined in prayer?? How do i know what's the spirit and what is my overly legalistic concious? How the heck do i get back to the childlike faith that i once had? Should i even desire that? these thoughts cause my mind to be exhuasted. instead of leading to prayer...it often leads me to silence. is that prayerlessness...or just silence?

this has a new and interesting point. today was Daniel's best day. Ever. he only attempted to bite me once. this is extremely huge people. i never counted...but it was upwards of fifty attempts within a 6.5 hour day. he would also run around uncontrollably around the classroom. going from destroying one thing to another. pushing over chairs, tables, toys, etc. Today...we sat and read books. He told me when he was upset and asked me to not do something instead of spitting on me or biting me. these are things we've been working on for awhile...but for differing circumstances we have been apart for nearly 2.5 weeks. I think he was glad to see me back... but, it was something more. I asked my high school group to pray for daniel this week. and i am positive this is the reason for the improvement. i've been praying for him as well. b/c, i honestly was loosing all hope for him. i knew God could help and change him. and it's gotta be God that's moving now. i know there is a long road ahead and it will be difficult. but, i also had hope that Daniel will one day enter kindergarten. That he will learn to interact w/ peers in healthy ways. definitely never normal...but other kids won't ignore him. keep praying for him. i see the frustration in his eyes...i pray that his spirit would be calmed. and those dealing with him would have wisdom in how to best approach him and teach him in love. The pictures below reveal the depth of Daniels frustrations. (taken prior to arm guards...) My mom thought it imperative i document the situation in case a law suit ever occured.

From mostly abbu.

In case you didn't get it. My entire reasoning behind this post was to reiterate that God answers prayers...pray it up. Pray it big. May the spirit guide you. Pour out your hearts to him...for he hears and answers.