Unfortunately for some of us, prayer is not the first option when trouble occurs and we begin seeking a way “out” of our misery. No doubt it should be the first action of choice or in the top few.

If we fallible, human beings spend more time in prayer asking for guidance, forgiveness and God-inspired answers to our physical and emotional misery, we would find a measure of relief sooner. God is always with us. He loves us! However, we don’t always sense His presence or His willingness to help us out, so we don’t turn in His direction.

As discussed in days one through four of this Prayers for Healing Series, our prayers should start with praising God for what He is doing in our lives. Sincerely, earnestly being thankful for our many blessings is the least we can do. It’s not nice to be ungrateful!

Since this happens to be the week after Thanksgiving, thinking along this line may have been something you have been doing. I notice on Facebook, many people have been expressing “what” they are thankful for all month. That is a good thing and places us in a position of humility and grace. Today let’s continue with Day 5 of this prayer series. It’s emphasis is on introspection. In fact, all of the prayers are introspective in nature.

ONE, when you take the time and put in the effort to place a reflective mirror in front of you, you get a clearer picture of the real you. If you are going to make the effort to change and begin seeking a deeper prayer life which wants a major self-change, the process must being with YOU. NOW.

TWO, this self-mirror may seem a bit scary at first, even uncomfortable. But remember, you are praying for the parts of you that have contributed towards you being sick…to be OVER. You’re asking for God to remove them and make you a better, healthier person. Your chances of this happening in a major way are so much more real and doable, if you are willing to do your part of this process and participate in such introspection.

Open up your can-do attitude; be resilient and brave. You can begin your healing process today. God is simply waiting on you to ask for help. He is right beside you now and can reward you for not letting doubt or fear rule you any longer.

Thank you so much for joining me today on the Health Matters Show. As you read this and begin your own process, please leave comments or message me on Facebook. I’d love to hear from you about your experiences and progress. Remember, I do this all the time for people, assist folks with this investigative self-process, but even my clients must be willing to do the beginning hard work. If they do, their end-results rewards are so glorious. They change; they mature; they become healthier people!

Cinda Crawford,

Host of the Health Matters Show

Prayers for Healing Series: Day 5Father God, I pray that You help me begin the first really detailed part of my healing process. First, I will boldly tackle self-investigation. May I be totally honest and revealing about my past, not allowing fear or doubt to slow my progress or stop me. Lord, help me open up the otherwise hidden, shameful parts and the injured, unfulfilled and doubting parts of my history. You have always known about them, Lord. I realize that it is critical for me to deal with them, too.

Finally, show me what is holding me back and keeping me from being healthy. As this may be difficult, Lord, I pray for Your direct intervention. I feel confident as You hold my hand and, yes, even carry me sometimes…those footprints in the sand. Help me realize what emotions and events have caused me to feel fear and shame. By not taking care of all this with You before now Lord, I have allowed these emotions to become too big a part of me. They have hindered my health and Your plan for my life.

Today, I pray Lord that You reveal what is necessary for me to leave behind– these destructive, harmful emotions. I refuse to let them rule me. I refuse for them to be a part of my health story any longer. Yes, today I pray for revelation and strength from You, Father God. In my Dear Lord’s precious name I pray, amen.