Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Joy Challenge - Day 24 - Prayer

I raised my hand to say I wanted to ask Jesus to come into my heart when I was just a little girl. I was given the priceless gift of a Christian home and the benefit of a lifetime of teaching. Even with all of this, I have always struggled with prayer. I think, as with so many other things in my life, I was making it much harder than it was ever intended to be. I read the books, listened to the teachings, and picked the brains of other Christians I admired.

I was forever beginning new seasons of my prayer life only to stumble and fall in a short period of time. Other things would infringe on the time I had set aside, and I would find myself prayerless once again. Or I would begin to feel as though it was all rote - repeating the same things over and over again. I would feel discouragement setting in - as though I wasn't doing it "right."There were times I failed so miserably I couldn't pray. Just when I needed it most, I turned away.

I have gone back to the beginning. Back to being a little girl who had absolute trust in her
earthly father - knowing he would always love me and always take care of me. Bringing that same "knowing" to my relationship with my heavenly Father. It comes with the understanding that His love for me compels Him to want to spend time with me. The thought sometimes just takes my breath away. This great God waits for me to come and just spend time with Him.

And so I come - just to sit at His feet and talk. I offer up a prayer before my feet hit the carpet in the morning - a prayer of blessing and protection for my loved ones. Or I whisper to Him as I go about my day. I have lots of time when I walk - time to intercede and time to listen to what He is saying to my heart. For this very simple girl, it is a good beginning to a deeper prayer life. It brings a deep sense of joy.

"In the morning, O Lord, Thou wilt hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to Thee and eagerly watch."
Psalm 5:3

"I love the Lord, because he hears my voice and my supplications.
Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live."
Psalm 116:1,2


holy experience


For more posts on prayer visit Ann's blog.

Blessings,
Linda