How strange is it that the thing that has the greatest power to make me feel whole and at peace is the thing I choose less than anything?
Why is prayer a struggle, so often grappled with in repetitive prayers of need?
Why do my prayers at times seem to hit the ceiling?
Why am I distracted in prayer? "My words fly up. My thoughts remain below: words without thoughts never to heaven go." King Claudius in Hamlet
Why am I reluctant to listen?
I'm afraid to hear something I don't like, something that is difficult. There is nothing Jesus can't ask of me. Prayer brings me closer to the sacrifice, to the giving up. But it deepens love, just like spending time with someone you care about.
Being "face to face" in prayer is intimate and holy. Prayer is a way to communicate with our Creator, our Father, our Savior, the Holy Spirit.
If I truly understood the power and purpose in prayer, I don't think it would be such a struggle to spend time talking with God. I would find myself along side the saints of history, spending hours upon hours on their knees communicating with the Lover of their souls, praising Him, thanking Him, and interceding for others.
I want to be a woman of prayer, but more importantly I want to be so in love with God I can't stop talking to Him. Everyday, without ceasing.
"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
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
I've been thinking about prayer lately and wondering how to 'pray without ceasing'.. more specifically, how to have the desire to pray without ceasing. Why is it that one of the most important things in my walk with Him is one of the last things that I want to do? Often I try to make myself feel like praying, but I'm seeing that when I do that, I only get more discouraged. But I love the days where I want to pray, or spend time in the word. And on those days, my prayer is that I'd have those days (and that kind of heart) more often.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, sorry for the ramble that didn't really lead anywhere :) Hope you're having a good week!