Do we need to beg God for our needs?

Sometimes as fretful humans we get things on our minds and just can't let those things go.  In our prayers we mention the same problems or concerns.  Will a long often repeated prayer get The Lord's attention more than a short prayer?
Matthew 6 has a great deal to say about prayer:

5And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6But you, when you pray, enter into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly. 7But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8Be not therefore like them: for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask him.  

I'm guilty of being a worry wart. No one worries more than I do.  Rather than praying for/about the things I'm worried about, I sometime will admit to saying very short prayers asking for God's will being done rather than a great jumble of words about all the topics I'm worried about....  I don't dwell on my concerns and yet I feel like I've also prayed about my concerns. Win-Win if you ask me.  

Sometimes trying NOT to think about a problem will make you think about it more than you normally would...

The Lord has been good to me...today and everyday

J. 

Lent 2014.

Within the last year, we, Randi and I, have joined the Church.  We haven't been there every time the doors opened but we have tried support our Church where and when we could.  It has been a good thing for both of us.

When Ash Wednesday came around Randi and I spoke about giving something up for the season of Lent.  To say I have a softdrink habit is putting it mildly.  I'm USDA 100% hooked on soft drinks OR I was Hooked on soft drinks. With the help of The Good Lord, I have been soft drink free for 40+ days.  I'm pretty happy about that and how that turned out.

I've never been in a Church that was big on Lent, so all this was new to me.  I never really thought much about it and how it fit into my walk with The Lord, however, I felt I had to support my wife if she wanted to give up something for Lent.  It has been an interesting month and 10+ days.  The thought of a soda has crossed my mind a few times but I always tried to redirect my thoughts to water or tea (hot or cold).  I can honestly say I feel better and I'm 100% less bloated after a meal.  When we started this, I said if I didn't drink a softdrink for 40 days I wouldn't pick one back up again.   This experience has made me think of what else I need out of my diet that truly does me no good on a daily basis.  Ranch dressing pops to mind as I eat Ranch dressing on a lot of things, usually as a substitute for mayonnaise.

I can truly say the experience has been a good one for Randi and I and I can also say going to Church again has also been a good experience for us. It has been good to have a Church family, as we have no family related to either of us in the local area.

I must say "Thank you Lord" for the help and support and I'm thankful for the help and support of a dedicated spouse.

J.