How to Pray Resources

        I have been learning how to pray since I was a child reared in rural Hardeman County in a town called Grand Junction, Tennessee.   I learned early on how to pray listening to my grandmother Cora Hamer.  Many times I got to experience early on as an usher when one of my grandmother’s children or grandchildren went home to be with the Lord.  Fanning her and hearing her cry out to God in a time of need, I knew that He would listen to me if I called on Him.  I remember at least 3 occasions where I had to be an usher in our household.  There were other times too when close relatives or friends of her past.

        Other early on experiences came from listening to my Uncle Willie Lee Patterson who was a deacon at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Saulsberry, Tennessee.  I used to think Uncle Willie Lee could really pray.  He and Mr. Carter were deacons in the church and always prayed.  I always felt that he was sincere because he seemed really emotional afterward.

        Later on, I got on the mourner’s bench.  I think I was around 12. It was Pastor Simon Hunt’s son Junior and I.  I believed in Jesus and was told not to come off that mourner’s bench until I heard the wind.  Well, I didn’t hear the wind, but Junior was coming off and I definitely wasn’t going to stay on by myself.  I came off too.  My grandmother asked me if I heard the wind.  I said, “Yes, Ma’am.”  I later had to ask for forgiveness for lying, but I did confess Jesus as my Savior and believe in Him.  I knew that I was supposed to remember the day that I came off, Monday; in case you had to tell someone who asked.  The following week, we got baptized in a small pond.

        Later on in life through various churches where I have belonged, I have learned better how to pray and that you must also repent before praying so that your prayers can be heard.  Most of the ministers who I have been under agree that the Lord’s Prayer is the example (Matthew 6:9-13).  I have followed many television ministers for a season and some have given specific examples on how to pray.  Most agree that you are supposed to approach God in a humble position.  If you are at home, most people bow down on their knees.  Usually, at church, you are standing or whatever is most suitable.  Some ministers say they lay straight out on the floor when seeking God.  I have used that method before and found it to be most effective.  Most times, I am on my knees.  If it has been a late night, I might just be in bed and pray quietly before going to sleep.

         Watching people in church or in ministry provide good examples on how to pray.  Most ministers say you should find scriptures in the Bible pertaining to your need and take those to God in prayer.  That is why it is important to have a Bible Concordance.  This will allow you to look up various scriptures and take them with you to prayer.  You can find scriptures for healing, faith, marriage, finances, etc. Here are some links to online Bible Concordances: http://www.onlinebiblepassages.com

http://www.biblestudytools.com/concordances/strongs-exhaustive-concordance/

www.biblegateway.com

        Also, you need to have the Holy Ghost.  This is the best way to pray.  The Holy Ghost knows how to get to the root cause of any situation and what you really need to ask God.  It also prevents the enemy from understanding what is being said so that he won’t get in the way.  You need to have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior.  Then, get baptized.  If you ask God for the Holy Ghost, He will show up soon.  You do need to be living a life that is pleasing to God.  We all miss the mark.  I know that I have.  I just repent and keep on trucking.       

        Most times for me to pray in the Holy Ghost, I need to have read a lot of the Word and do this on a regular basis. I try to treat my Christian walk as I would a career.  In order to get better, you must have professional development.  You have to develop spiritually and God requires more commitment from those who He has called. That’s why it seems like some people can get away with everything and you can get away with nothing.  God holds some to a higher standard because they know better and have been at this longer than most.

If I Be Lifted Up From the Earth

     Saints, it is time to stop playing church.  The Bible says "If I be lifted up from the earth, I'll draw all men unto me." (John 12:32)  What does this mean?  When ministers preach the Word and focus on the Word, it will draw men and women to Christ.  Most people need strong meat.  They want a studied word that focuses on Jesus.  They don't want people who just get up and shoot from the hip.    Some people can do that and do it quite well because they have a lot of Word in them.  Bishop G.E. Patterson was good at that.  Bishop Charles E. Blake is good at that.  Bishop Milton R. Hawkins is good at that but they are good at that and always have notes to refer to if needed.  They seek God for a Word to deliver to His people and you can tell they are very studied.

     Some small churches with very few members have people who get up and throw jabs. They are not really teaching and that is not lifting God from the earth to draw people in to be saved. Those who are gifted to discern spirits can tell that.  Most people know if they have a call on their lives.  It is not anything new.  What you need to understand is that the set man or woman of the house releases their flock out into the world.  If someone has a calling, they need to talk to their pastor.  Don't let others who are not your pastor send you out.  Pastors will give you instructions on what to do. That's why I really don't visit other churches.  Too many people want to pastor other people's flock.

Help Revamp the Glory

http://kck.st/2rNWLP1  This is the year of transformation for the book GLORY...THE HAIR. After about 16 years, I plan to relaunch the book.  The book is 426 pages and appears in libraries across the country.  We plan to revisit the book and polish up where needed.  You can be a part of this transformation.  We can't detail all of the plans for GLORY...THE HAIR and other works to come but you do want to stay tuned.
    To participate with this project go to link above.

Glory...the Hair Author Preparing to Go Off the Grid

It is not as drastic as it sounds. I am not going underground totally. However, I may be going off the grid when it pertains to hair salons. For the last 3 to 4 weeks, I have been shampooing and conditioning my own hair. However, in the next few weeks, I will have to make a decision. Will I go natural or will I retouch my hair? I am greatly leaning towards retouching my own hair. I have been reading all kinds of posts to see what other women are doing. It is not that I don't have money to do my own hair. I am tired of dealing with stylists who act like they can't use products because they are trying to promote weave usage. Nothing is wrong with weaves, but nothing is wrong with letting your hair grow. Sometimes, you have to see if you are in hostile hair territory. It seems the problems that I have, other women across the country have experienced as well. I suppose it is just the human element. Since washing and conditioning my own hair, I have seen that it is really thickening up and growing quickly from previous problems caused by a stylist and myself. I am not mad at stylists. Sometimes, people have to push you into your own destiny.

While my hair grows out, I am doing other things. I am continuing to focus on my doctoral work. I recently got my ears re-pierced and I am focusing on losing some weight. Don't get me wrong. I have always been able to rock the short hair, but I desire some length at this point. If reading this post and you have some excellent do it yourself hair ideas, drop me a line or to at shamer@sandrahamer.com. I look forward to networking with women around the world who have been successfully doing it themselves for years. Cheers!

Doing It Myself Part II

My have the last few months been a world wind experience for hair. I went from having length with potential to length with patience. I am also praying for patience for my husband with my hair. I think it all has to do with hair coloring. One Saturday after going to the stylist the night before, I woke up to breakage on my satin pillow case. I told my husband that my hair appears to be extremely dry. I texted the hairstylist a few days later and told her about the breakage. It was so dry that I decided to do it myself. I can do my hair but I decided to try a new product and boy things did not go as planned. If you haven't done your hair in awhile, you might not want to try a new product. Just use what you normally would use.

Next, I decided to go to a hair school for my retouch. That worked out okay. I was scheduled with the same lady the following week but I had to change from Friday to Saturday because of a deadline we were trying to meet. I went in Saturday with a different student. I should have stayed at home in bed. It appeared that things were going okay until she felt the need to show me what was in her combs. It appeared that she had pulled out a significant amount of my hair. Really doll, you want to show me that. Even though, I tipped her and rescheduled an appointment when I got in my car. I called and canceled. Since then I have been doing my own hair. I have decided that I will do it myself until I need a relaxer. Then after a few shampoos, I realized that I have permanent color on my hair. Permanent color for my hair is not greatly advised. I usually get a rinse after a retouch. Permanent color is harsher on my hair. So, I have been washing and setting my hair and occasionally flat ironing it. Yes, I have had to snip ends but it will get healthier and is already growing back out.

In addition to normal hair care, I take excellent hair vitamins and I eat pretty healthily. I also try to exercise and I plan to do more in that area. Additionally, I try not to worry too much because that is just a tool that the enemy uses to help you loose ground.

Doing It Myself

Today, I join the ranks of those who I said I never would. Today, I will just do my own hair. I will chronicle that journey on my blog. My husband doesn't really think or should I say want me to do it. I have on a number of occasions shampooed and set my own hair. I have even relaxed my own hair with few problems. To say that I just like going to the salon would be an understatement. What I do know about my hair that even though it is kinky, it is not hard to maintain. I have already bought some of the products that I plan to use from www.andrewalkerhair.com via Target. Many times we just need the products that will straighten the hair out. Wish I had brought my hair dryer with me from my apartment right before I got married. I had no idea that those things run about $40 for a good one.

Went to the stylist last week and got color against my better judgment. When I say that my hair is dry, that's what I mean it is dry. There was a lot of breakage that next day. What I will not do is play the breakage game where I am never making any progress. Then to have folks act like I need a weave, I just look at them like they are crazy. I have had hair on my head and will have hair again. As Jimmy Fallon would say, thank you for contributing to my hair being a hot mess so that I can do it myself saving me about $200 a month.

To say that I am ill-equipped to do my hair is an understatement. I have a flat iron and three sets of electric curling irons in the bathroom drawer. Since I will be finishing up my education soon, I can focus on perfecting all things hair. Heck, if these other women can do hair I can too.

What Is Going On This Year?

I tell you our new President has hit the ground running. I really don't know the method to all that he is doing. I hope that he is just trying to secure American borders, but good people seem to be caught in the crossfire. A large number of people voted for him and we will just have to ride out the next four years good or bad. I will suggest to those who are not registered to vote to get registered. I also sense that this is a good time to eliminate a lot of debt and keep credit up to par.

For those who need additional training and education, you might want to go ahead and get it now. It seems like with each new week something is coming down the pipe. However, our Pastor reminded us today that God's orders out trump the President's orders. I thank God for a prayer life. I look to the hills from whence cometh my help. My help comes from the Lord.

I did like the fact that he offered Chicago some help. They need it. Since I was a child, Chicago has had a high murder rate and the politicians there seem to tolerate it. I don't think it would hurt for the Feds to come in and take some of those machine guns out of the wrong hands. I don't think it would hurt for them to flood the streets with cops to ensure that no one was murdered over the weekend.

Also, does the President know something we don't about who we are letting cross our borders? How do all the cocaine and heroin and other bad drugs continue to enter the U.S?