I’ve been struggling with my prayer life.
I think it’s fatigue. Maybe it’s my schedule at work. Perhaps it’s life events surrounding my friends and family that have brought me down.
Regardless, prayer hasn’t come easy lately.
I was reading C.S. Lewis this morning. There’s a section from Mere Christianity that reads:
“An ordinary simple Christian kneels down to say his prayers. He is trying to get into touch with God. But if he is a Christian he knows that what is prompting him to pray is also God: God, so to speak, inside him. But he also knows that all his real knowledge of God comes through Christ, the Man who was God- that Christ is standing beside him, helping him to pray, praying for him.”
I’ve made prayer too hard.
I’ve been thinking that I have to be perfect in prayer. I’ve pressed to think that God needs my heart and mind clear.
But the truth is- God already knows what I need. He already knows my confusion and pain.
Like Lewis writes, it’s God that’s prompting me to hit my knees and pray. He wants me humble and repentant. He wants my effort- even if I don’t know exactly what to say.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26
Let’s don’t wait until we’re “ready.” God is there to receive our prayers…we just need to engage.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
Please pray for my prayer life. And let me know how I may pray for you.
God bless.
My prayer life sure isn’t perfect, but I’ve found that just treating it like a conversation makes it easier and I have lots of those conversations in the car, one of the few quiet places in my day. Love you guys always, Janet
During a similar time in my life I was praying for answers to guide and comfort me and God did not seem to be listening.
I shared my frustation with a wise person who chastised me in the following manner, “who says it is all about you”. At first I was angry at his response but he went on to explain that he had observed the effect I had on colleagues by professing my faith. I had not noticed this and was quite frankly very humbled while being reminded that folks are watching and of the qreat responsibility we have to one another when we belong to the Lord.
As my earthly Father used to say to his children; “we were not created to serve ourselves, but were created to serve God through service to others”.
Keep praying and know that God is listening even when we are not.