I used to come down here to pray....this is the same creek that is mentioned in "Rest!"- a post from last week sometime. It was a place to be alone, meditate on the word of God, sing some hymns, maybe write a song....time to be with God and set aside for that purpose.
Prayer has always been an important part of my walk with God. When I was a child I thought that prayer was always started with "Dear Jesus...." but as I have grown older (and hopefully deeper) I have learned that prayer is like a continual conversation with God, through Jesus. Praying with out ceasing becomes second nature when every thought is directed first to our Father in heaven. And if every thought is first directed to God, imagine how intimate a relationship with Him can be! Yes, He already knows you, inside and out and whatever might be in between.
Now, if we know that God knows us because we have shared everything with Him in continual conversation (prayer), will we not be more relient on Him? What I mean is this...we would already be sharing everything with Him, how much more readily would we share our needs, wants and desires too?
How about a life example. I have a best friend. I talk to this person nearly everyday. They are aquainted with my struggles, my hopes, the vision God has given me, my ambitions, my background, my humor. They are there just about any time I call. We have devoloped this relationship and ability over many years. We are close. I know that if ever I was to need their help, they would do what ever was in their power to get it done. We weren't always close though. There was a time when we barely spoke to one another. It was not out of anger, we just didn't know what to say when put on the spot. We didn't know the first thing about each other, even though we had known each other since infancy.
Can you see my point? It has been through making the effort...on both sides, that this best friendshiop has been developed. Now let's take this to a higher level. I said that I talk to this person nearly everyday and have described the nature of our relationship. Imagine now what could be if we were in constant contact? If at every turn, we were communicating with one another? That's the kind of relationship our God wants to have with us!! That's why He wants us to pray without ceasing.
Now, can you imagine what Christianity would look like if we all were praying without ceasing? How would we interact with each other? How would we interact with those who don't know Christ yet? What would our lives look like?
In Him, Laura
2 comments:
I am refreshed by reading your thoughtful, thought-provoking and wise words, Laura. You have got it, you have found it, the life of prayer, talking with the Lord at every moment, even as I write this, speaking to the Lord from my heart, and again I exclaim, "Axia! Adelphí mou agapití! Axia!"
When we pray, we seem to go into a place where we know everyone from the heart. We have no fear, only the love of God pressing us from all sides. The longer we stay in our private room with the Lord, the more He reveals to us. But even as we work, we pray, our bodies and minds may be occupied, but if we have prayed, been with Him in our private room, even for a short time, He expands our capacity to stand in His presence at every moment, and our heart takes over, where our minds and bodies leave off.
This is the Church. When we are together in that kind of prayer.
If I have wisdom, it is not my own but what God has given. That said, thank you for the encouragement.
When we pray, we seem to go into a place where we know everyone from the heart. We have no fear, only the love of God pressing us from all sides. The longer we stay in our private room with the Lord, the more He reveals to us. But even as we work, we pray, our bodies and minds may be occupied, but if we have prayed, been with Him in our private room, even for a short time, He expands our capacity to stand in His presence at every moment, and our heart takes over, where our minds and bodies leave off.
This is beautiful
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