Now, what's YOUR story?
Harold’s story:
“Have you prayed about it?” asked Harold.
The mention of prayer reminded Andrew of something he’d seen since the two prime timers had last met at the pickleball court. “Oh, prayer—did you see what happened after Damar Hamlin went down on Monday Night Football? After all the legal battles about whether a coach can pray after a game in this country, you didn’t hear anyone complaining about prayer when that happened!”
“That was really moving,” agreed Harold. “But we were talking about your situation with your son-in-law. Forgive me for being nosy, but it seems like that’s really bothering you. When we feel helpless—like watching that football player go down—it seems natural to pray. Have you prayed about Kevin?”
“Of course, well . . . sort of. You know I wish things were different and I think God knows what I’m wishing. That’s prayer, right?”
Harold had attended church with Andrew for quite a few years but talking about spiritual things was not terribly familiar territory. He proceeded with caution. “I suppose so. But I’m sure there’s more to it than that. The Bible says things like ‘let your requests be known to God.’
“It also says things like ‘God knows what we want before we even ask,’” said Andrew with a chuckle and a hint of irritation. “I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t hesitate to put my initials by ‘prayer’, but it’s always been a stretch. It’s like it’s true, but it’s never been real for me. At least, not like other people seem to experience. There are so many mysteries. Does it actually change things—make a difference you know? Does it take a lot of faith, or a little? I pray when I’m expected to, but it’s never been a natural, rich experience for me.”
“Oh, I’m no George Muller either!” Harold said sympathetically, referring to church history’s poster child for prayer. On one level I just pray because as followers of Jesus we’re told to; and told it will make a difference whether I can get my head around that or not. But here’s something else. I find that prayer forces me to process vague feelings or impressions into focused ideas under the guidance of the Spirit and the watchful care of our heavenly Father. When you want to say something, you’re forced to decide what you actually want to verbalize. I think I start to discern God’s will in a matter while I wrestle with it in prayer. You know, you might try verbalizing your situation with Kevin to God. What’s there to lose?”
“Maybe I will,” said Andrew. “In the meantime, you better say a prayer that I don’t wipe the court with you in this next set!”
The story of us all:
Followers of Jesus talk to God. Especially when we’re aware of our helplessness or confusion--we pray. We pray to God to know Him, to express our gratitude and requests to Him and to find direction for our daily lives.
One important Scripture:
Psalm 66:16-20 – "Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me. I cried out to Him with my mouth; His praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me!"
Now, what’s your story?
You’ve heard Harold’s story, you know the story of us all. Now, let’s talk!
· Do you pray?
· Do you have a vivid memory of answered prayer? How has it affected you?
· Have you known someone who has been a great model of prayer for you?
· Are you satisfied with your experience in prayer?
· Do you have questions about prayer? Have you sought answers? Where have you found help?
Ask someone:
Are you a praying person?
4 Comments
Just moments before I read this blog, I thought to myself that I need to spend some time in prayer. I was probably prompted to so because I just sent out a prayer-wide email to pray for Sharon Reid. I have been praying for God to heal her. I think it was Charles Spurgeon who said that prayer for the Christian should be like breathing. Thus, during the busyness and the noise, we can be praying. But it is a discipline because the countless daily distractions aim to win our attention over prayer. We must pray because God uses the prayers of his people to work out his will in the world. Last night, during the Resilient Life Group, someone said that Converge Church is a praying church. May that continue.
Prayer has always been something that I do throughout the day. Breath prayers I think I’ve heard them called in the past. But I tend to get distracted easily during “focused” prayer time unless I’m praying out loud. God deserves better than that from me. My Grandpa was an amazing example of a praying man. Even in his last years when he struggled with dementia he could still talk to God with total clarity. And I know my mom was praying even when she couldn’t communicate with anyone on this earth because of her ALS. That’s the relationship I aim for with my Heavenly Father
I too, like Rachel, do breath prayers all day long. Especially since I am now alone. It isn't that I'm doing jobs now that I didn't do before but there isn't anybody here to hear when I fall off the ladder. I pray many "Here we go, Lord" prayers and then there are many "Thank you, Lord" prayers when a job gets accomplished, when I find a close parking spot, when I get safely across town and back, when there is a big gap in traffic so I can make a left turn, and when He obviously guides me in decision making. Certainly not fancy, long prayers but come from a grateful heart.
There are so many aspects to prayer, it is hard to pick just one.
One aspect that I think doesn’t get enough attention is “why” God wants us to pray.
God very much wants us to have faith in Him. He wants us to trust Him. The more we trust Him, the more we will do what He tells us to do, and in turn, the more we will be better off, and the more this world will be better for everyone. The more we pray, the more we will see God at work. It is too easy to accept the good things in life as “luck”. God does a lot for His people, and the more we pray, the more we will see Him in action, and the more we will trust He is helping us in all ways.