Jemma's Thoughts on Life: Prayer Changes Things.

New Year, New You. Never more have I felt this way than at the start of this year.

I've been struggling lately. Struggling to find that time in the day to open my Bible and dive into its contents. But today (which was actually like 3 days ago now!), I really felt like I needed to open my Bible and I turned to the place in my devotions notes and up pops this title, "Prayer Changes Things". It's fair to say I was taken back. Here's why...

These past weeks, which has turned into months life has been hectic. I never seemed to have a minute to myself and I was becoming agitated and very down. I was short with people, I was rude, I got jealous quicker, I was envious, I cried (I always cry but that's another matter!). I began to feel like I didn't fit in, didn't have a voice and that what I did say never really mattered. Life just wasn't joyful and I was finding it tough.

But now I realise why! The answer: I lost all sight of God in it! I hadn't spent time reading His word and talking to Him. That is when the devil slipped in and tried to tear me up. He was trying to tell me that I didn't matter, that my opinions and thoughts weren't worth thinking about, that I was worthless. During this time I had complained to various other people, even cried my heart out to them but I hadn't taken my problems and hurt and worries to my Father who loves me so much and wants to help me. But tonight that changed.

For the first time in 7 weeks and 6 days, I opened my Bible, studied it and it was all about David crying out to God! I was just like, What even? This is exactly what I needed to see! Some may say that it was a coincidence, I beg to differ... God knew I needed to read that.

When I read the passage and my bible notes to go along with it I realised I had so much to tell God. To bring Him up to speed with my life. Yes, it's true, He knows everything, but I never told Him. But tonight I just poured out my heart to Him. I had forgotten how powerful prayer is. It has given me strength to carry on, strength to know I am not living life by myself, strength that I have been missing.

And after talking about how I was feeling I realise that I need to get stuck into the Bible and learn it, so when the devil tries to attack I can fight back by quoting the most powerful weapon of all.

So this new year, I plan on to keep prayer central. By doing this I can't wait to see how it affects the way that I view life and how it changes things. I know that I won't always be perfect and I'll slip up and lose sight of God, but thankfully we have a heavenly father who gives us his unconditional love and will forgive us when we come to him.

So yes just some thoughts I have had lately and hopefully they have encouraged you. (I do apologise if this seems a little bit all over the place, I'm just a tad tired as I write this.)

Another thing which I am planning on doing this year is to keep a little jar and everyday I am going to find something to be thankful for everyday. I'm kinda excited to start this one and then read them all at the end of 2015. (Bit random but sure YOLO!)

And to finish here are some of my highlights from 2014: