#6. People can shop and pray on your behalf; however, to get the "right fit" of some things e.g. shoes, when you go shopping yourself and try it on. I guess you know what I mean - especially if have that "right-foot-challenge" like I do (the lady in the picture seems to have the same challenge too). This is especially true with how much sizes vary from country to country and even from store to store in the same country. So, just as you sometimes need to go to the store to get the right fit, praying for yourself by yourself enables you tell God "where the shoe pinches" - just as you would at the store (if you're there in person). Irrespective of how well-intentioned others are, no one can pray for you better than you can pray for yourself.#7. Shopping is available to all - indeed it's not the exclusive preserve of anyone. Anyone can pray...if they choose to. To be women of prayer (& power), we need to decide and do!
We could go on and on with the similarities; to balance this out, let's switch gears and discuss a few differences:
Taking/Giving: The more time you spend shopping, the more spent you are i.e. financially and physically - it's been a while since I've been as tired as I was over the weekend I went shopping. Conversely, the more time you spend praying, the more strength you gain - emotionally and spiritually. Shopping takes strength while praying gives strength - I know which one I prefer. Crew change: Even the stores that have 24-7 operations don't and can't have the same people there all the time. So no matter how helpful a store associate/manager was, they are not there each and every time you visit the store. There is no crew change when it comes to prayer...God never sleeps or slumbers - He doesn't even snooze. In fact, He doesn't change.
Psalm 121: 2- 4: My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip or to be moved; He Who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. (Amplified Bible)
Hebrews 13: 8: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (New King James Version)
In fact, those are exactly the reasons why we can pray at all times: "You hear our prayers. All people will come to you." (Psalm 65:2). God is awake and alert 24-7 that's why He can and does hear the prayers of people all over the world (in different time zones) at whatever time they pray. How reassuring!
Everything I have You gave, All I need You already have
What can I say, what can I do O Lord...You're too much for me*
The more I think about it, the more things come to mind...one last thing for now: praying can (& does) "increase" the resources (including prudence) you need for quality shopping (& this is not to encourage unnecessary shopping) and shopping can also increase your reasons for praying - if you look, listen and learn, you'll notice people that need your prayers and compassion. You might even be led to buy things for them...
There are so many more differences and similarities; I'm sure you can come up with some others - please share them too.
Source:
*Excerpt of "Too Much" by Wale Adenuga - see: http://www.fopmusic.com/o_web/TMFM-lyrics.pdf
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