30: Prayer is a dialogue…speak & listen.

Well, I technically only have three minutes to write this, but I’m hoping since you love me so much you’ll forgive me. (And since it’s still my Sunday…you’ll go with me and decide that it’s not the time that matters, but the day instead.)

Moving on…

So…I was simply going to say that today’s lesson is to “Pray. Pray long and hard.”

But that seems so insufficient because if there is one thing that I have learned about prayer as a twenty-something -year-old (something I didn’t understand as a before twenty-something -year-old) is that prayer is not a one-way street. Prayer has two lanes: one in, one out. 

Depending on where you are in your journey with the Lord you make think this is laughable, stupid, or…maybe just hard.

Either way…God speaks just as well as you do.

His intent is not for you to be left in the dark, stumbling around, wondering where you’re supposed to be going. 

In fact…He is light…hence, you’re never alone in the dark.

But that is neither my argument for tonight or something I have time to get into (three minutes, remember? Clock’s ticking.) 

When I was little I used to say this prayer: 

“Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep

Guide me Jesus through the night

And wake me with the morning light

If I should die before I wake

I pray the Lord my soul to take.

Amen.”

Get’s right to the point, huh?

Now my prayers often consist of a string of questions. I do not intend do bore you with the concerns of my daily life but just imagine that five year old cousin you have who wants an answer to everything and once you have finally given her what you deem is a reasonable and thorough answer she responds with, “Why?” …welp, that’s about how I sound usually.

Except for the occasional day when I randomly (and shockingly) am blessed with the gift of slowing down and God shows up to still my thoughts and I get to sit, be still, listen, and relax in the loving arms of my father.

I could tell you 1,001 stories and reasons why prayer is so important, but I can sum it up with one statement: It is your lifeline.

Life is hard. People suck sometimes. There is not really such a thing as black and white. We live in a world of gray. Oftentimes…you don’t get to know the black/white answer.

But you do get comfort. Security in confusing times. A shelter during the storm. Peace when it seems unfathomable. Joy in a sea of sadness. Love when only hate surrounds you.

And that only comes from dialogue with the One who is Comfotrt, Security, Shelter, Peace, Joy, and Love.

Do not get boxed into what prayer looks like. It can be a statement of praise while brushing your teeth, a stillness while you’re driving to work (unless you live or commute into the city because then you only pray for safety), or a chat during a walk.

Prayer does not have to be an alarm set for 5:00am, after reading two chapters of scripture, with references…just speak, and listen.

God is present.

He wants to chat with you.

30: Prayer is a dialogue..speak & listen.

Tomorrow is the last day of the 31 day series, don’t forget to drop by. I promise it will be great…and on time! 

xxxoo, E