Why I Asked for Prayer

by Steve Hale

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" ( 1 Corinthians 4:17, NKJV).
I started preaching the gospel when I was 18. In 25 years of preaching, I've never done what I did last Sunday morning. Following the sermon, I broke down and cried, and asked my friend and brother Bill Speight, Jr. to lead the congregation in prayer for me. It was beautiful, as have been all the prayers that have been lifted up on my behalf since.
Somewhat embarrassed, and trying to wash my face following this episode, I was immediately met with hug after hug from the congregation. Your expressions of love, encouragement, and well-wishes will never be forgotten. The phone rang constantly Sunday afternoon, and brother James Whiteaker came by to talk to me. I am humbled and so appreciative of everyone's love and support.
The sermon, "Waiting On The LORD," was directed more at myself than anybody else. I am not as patient as I need to be, particularly with myself. I've been guilty of trying to rely too much on myself and not on the LORD. I cannot make it on my own, I don't have the strength. I need the LORD's renewal and be among those who: "...shall mount up wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint" ( Isaiah 40:31). I was growing weary and about to faint, but with your prayers and the help of the LORD, things already look better and brighter. Truly, the LORD is our source of strength, who can help us soar above any storm.
Psychologically, I'm a "stuffer." "Stuffers" take and take, and just "stuff it." This is not healthy, because We can take only so much "stuff' and then we explode. Sunday morning's episode was completely spontaneous, I certainly did not plan it. It was my way of releasing all the things that I had been "stuffing."
Paul said: "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do" ( Romans 7:15). Have you ever felt like that? The things you don't want to do, you do, and the things you do want to do, you don't do. This causes anxiety, frustration, and great confusion.
The technical term is cognitive dissonance. This is when two beliefs (cognitions) are in opposition (dissonant) to one another. We suffer with cognitive dissonance when we are pulled apart by two conflicting beliefs or desires. A simple illustration is: "You know you wantthe chocolate cake. Go ahead and eat it." Meantime, the sensible side says: "No, don't eat it. It will make you fat."
While cognitive dissonance may involve choices which are not necessarily sinful, the process is an anxious one. This process has been eating at me for sometime. Thanks to your love and prayers, I'm better now. My thanks to you, mywonderful wife and children, and our gracious Lord.

September 6, 1998

Related Articles:

Summer's Here: Time for Road Trips -Jun 06, 1999
Codependencey -Mar 22, 1992
Keep on Kicking -Mar 06, 1988

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Why I Asked for Prayer by Steve Hale "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" ( 1 Corinthians 4:17, NKJV). I started preaching the gospel when I was 18. In 25 years of preaching, I've never done what I did last Sunday morning. Following the sermon, I broke down and cried, and asked my friend and brother Bill Speight, Jr. to lead the congregation in prayer for me. It was beautiful, as have been all the prayers that have been lifted up on my behalf since. Somewhat embarrassed, and trying to wash my face following this episode, I was immediately met with hug after hug from the congregation. Your expressions of love, encouragement, and well-wishes will never be forgotten. The phone rang constantly Sunday afternoon, and brother James Whiteaker came by to talk to me. I am humbled and so appreciative of everyone's love and support. The sermon, "Waiting On The LORD," was directed more at myself than anybody else. I am not as patient as I need to be, particularly with myself. I've been guilty of trying to rely too much on myself and not on the LORD. I cannot make it on my own, I don't have the strength. I need the LORD's renewal and be among those who: "...shall mount up wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint" ( Isaiah 40:31). I was growing weary and about to faint, but with your prayers and the help of the LORD, things already look better and brighter. Truly, the LORD is our source of strength, who can help us soar above any storm. Psychologically, I'm a "stuffer." "Stuffers" take and take, and just "stuff it." This is not healthy, because We can take only so much "stuff' and then we explode. Sunday morning's episode was completely spontaneous, I certainly did not plan it. It was my way of releasing all the things that I had been "stuffing." Paul said: "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do" ( Romans 7:15). Have you ever felt like that? The things you don't want to do, you do, and the things you do want to do, you don't do. This causes anxiety, frustration, and great confusion. The technical term is cognitive dissonance. This is when two beliefs (cognitions) are in opposition (dissonant) to one another. We suffer with cognitive dissonance when we are pulled apart by two conflicting beliefs or desires. A simple illustration is: "You know you wantthe chocolate cake. Go ahead and eat it." Meantime, the sensible side says: "No, don't eat it. It will make you fat." While cognitive dissonance may involve choices which are not necessarily sinful, the process is an anxious one. This process has been eating at me for sometime. Thanks to your love and prayers, I'm better now. My thanks to you, mywonderful wife and children, and our gracious Lord. September 6, 1998 Related Articles: Summer's Here: Time for Road Trips -Jun 06, 1999 Codependencey -Mar 22, 1992 Keep on Kicking -Mar 06, 1988 Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM