![]() Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:16-16 For a long time I struggled with prayer. I have always enjoyed praying aloud for those around me. Others would tell me that my public prayers allowed them to connect with God. But when I was home in the stillness of morning reading God's word, my mind was blank. Sometimes I feel unsure if I am praying “right.” Do I need to spend a certain amount of time every day with God? Should I be on my knees? Does writing in my journal part of prayer? I have always felt so uneasy about if I am doing that area in my life right. To be honest I decided not to dwell on it much. After all, I read my Bible daily and did my best to do what was right. I would tell myself, "That is more than most!" What I realized as I grew in my faith with the Bible that my spirit felt stagnant. Eventually I learned that prayer, as I have known for all these years, is truly a large part of the Christian faith. The Bible is the perfect way to hear from God, but prayer is how we can communicate back to Him. It helps us grow in our wisdom, our discernment, and our love for the Lord. 1 Thessalonians came upon my desk calendar today. It says to “pray continually.” Well, I am pretty sure God knows that most of us have to work, eat, and shower every day. So how we do we “pray continually” on our knees and in quiet if we have obligations? Perhaps prayer was never meant to always be in a quite room on your knees (although, there are plenty of times in life where that is exactly what you need!) Maybe prayer is meant to be a consistent, constant reminder every moment of your day. As you walk to your office, thanking God for nature. As you sift through Facebook, thanking God for friends and family. When you look at your bank statement, asking God to provide. Perhaps that is how prayer is meant to be. Praying in this new way has allowed me to communicate in a way that is real and authentic. Praying on me knees nightly is just not me. But sitting in my favorite chair doodling, talking to God as if he is beside me is. Find what works for you and focus on growing deeper. You will soon see your life as God-inspired. Comments are closed.
|
AuthorMelissa Brown is a strong momma who lives in Wapakoneta, Ohio. She enjoys spending time with her daughter, Zoey, and taking long naps. Posts
May 2024
|