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Just

Have you ever been praying and use the word "just"?  For example, I will say "God I just want to pray for so and so…" or "Heavenly father I pray that you just bring peace for so and so." I know I do quite a bit.


Just is a word that I receive as a “less than” word.  It is like I am minimizing something or sharing that I have less. “I just have 95 cents” or in other words, “I only have 95 cents.” “I just made it” or in other words, “I barely made it”.  For this reason, I try to remove the word “just” from my prayers


Just can be defined as exactly, barely, or only. How can one word have these different meanings?  The definitions of barely and exactly feel like opposites to me. However using the definition of exactly changes everything for my prayers.  Exactly makes my prayers specific and clearer. 


“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:24


“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open” Matthew 7:7


“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16


There is a specificity required in prayer.  If we receive what we ask for, then we better be asking for the right things!  If we are to pray for each other, we better pray specific prayers because our prayers impact others.  


Just… Maybe it is exactly the word we should be using. Precisely, completely, totally, entirely all synonyms for exactly.  With this understanding my prayers become dangerously specific. For example, “Heavenly Father I pray that you just heal so and so…” or “Heavenly Father, I pray that you completely heal so and so”. How much healing am I asking God to provide?  A



ll of it.  Leave nothing unsealed.  


Be specific in your prayers, God is listening.  Ask in His name and you will receive.


Be blessed and be a blessing


Matt

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