Rejoice always, pray continually, give
thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
I have recently fallen in love with the practice of prayer.
I don’t know why it has taken me so many years to begin to understand the life-changing power of praying.
I have listened to sermons about prayer, read articles, and
chapters of books about it. I have recited prayers by rote. I have prayed aloud, with others, and for others. I have often prayed for meals. But it has always
been, well just lifeless. I don’t think I ever really believed I was
communicating with God.
And I have had some really powerful experiences with prayer
– answered prayers. Corporate prayers. But, for the most part, I have just not been a person who prayers
every day (or even once a week).
A few weeks ago, my bible study leader encouraged us all to
pray. I ignored the encouragement. Just words. The heavens are brass (see
Deuteronomy 28:23).
And then I received a text from said leader asking if we’d
been praying. I responded that I always forget. And she suggested I pray while
driving. So I said I would, and I usually do what I say I will do, so I did.
I prayed all the way to work for my students, my students’
families, my coworkers, everyone who came to mind. And I had a really good day.
I felt empathy for my students. I listened to them more closely. I started to
like my coworkers more.
On the way home, I prayed for my family, church members,
neighbors, and everyone else who came to mind. And the blessings continued. I
pay more attention to others. To what they need and want. To their hurts and
their feelings.
I continue to pray. It has completely changed my
relationships.
Who knew?
Good on you. One of the few things that I miss about working is praying while driving. It seemed like prime time for it. Praying really helps us hold it together.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this Suzi! It is a reminder for me, as lately I have been very lazy with regard to prayer and as a result I have experienced weaknesses in areas I was very diligent in before. Time for me to get back to a life of prayer.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for sharing.
Hi Suzi, been awhile. I loved your article on praying. I too experience much from my prayer life. I too pray while driving down the road. I always give thanks for my meal before I eat, and each night before dropping off to sleep, my wife and I always pray. We don't get on our knees, we just hold hands, while lying there in bed, last thing we do except kiss and say I love you, but we pray. I pray first, then she. We pray for each other, and we pray for all that come to our minds. Our children, our grandchildren, and now great grandchildren, and especially those that are having a rough time of life, trials to bare, sickness or hardships. We kiss and drop off to sleep. We have been doing this every night of the 4 1/2 years we have been married, and it has blessed us so.
ReplyDeleteSo, I was glad to hear you speak of it, and hope you too find it more and more important in your life.
Bill Porter