Prayer

I read (well, I still have a few pages left to finish…but I’m almost done!) a wonderful book by Paul E. Miller called A Praying Life. It is an easy read, but it sure makes you think and deeply consider your own situation when it comes to your own prayer life. After reading this book, I have come to admit aloud that I do not have a well-established praying routine. I wish I were more organized about it, but just like pretty much every other aspect of my life, my praying “routine” is in terrible disarray.

That is why I blog. Blogging is the only way I have found, the way the Lord has led me to, which keeps me focused and prevents me from either rote babbling or aimless wandering.

In the book, Miller does talk about writing or journaling, so I guess that’s kind of what I do…only I do it on electronic pages…but still…I have a long way to go to turn my life into a “praying life.” My desire would be to one day be able to say:

“Prayer is where I do my best work as a husband (well, in my case it would be as a wife J ), dad/mom, worker and friend. I’m aware of the weeds of unbelief in me and the struggles in others’ lives. The Holy Spirit puts His finger on issues that only He can solve. I’m actually managing my life through my daily prayer time. I’m shaping my heart, my work, my family – in fact, everything that is dear to me – through prayer in fellowship with my heavenly Father. I’m doing that because I don’t have control over my heart and life or the hearts and lives of those around me. But God does.” (Miller, 257)

I love everything about this paragraph, and I pray the Lord helps me to be able to say all these about myself one day. I want prayer to be the channel through which I am able to do my best work. I want to be aware of my own unbelief and I want to be tuned into the struggles of those around me. I want to rest in the power of the Holy Spirit to solve the issues I have no power over. I want to manage my life through prayer…every decision, every step, every thought…I want them all to be guided by prayer. And I want to surrender myself and my loved ones to God’s will as I wait and trust in prayer.

After all, we are commanded to:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

We are to live our lives in constant prayer. We are to be confident that He listens when we call. Therefore, today I cling to the truth that says:

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 

 Hebrews 4: 16

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 

Romans 12: 12

I will continue to strive for a life in which prayer does not cease…and I pray that this electronic journaling and the sharing of my meditations may be a conduit to such goal not just for me, but for all who read it.