I wept for some “friends” yesterday. You see, I read a blog that brought up the topic of prayer. Basically, the author was saying, and the comments echoing, that prayer can be difficult, guilt ridden, unfocused, and, at times, all together non-existent. I read over 30 comments that shared the author’s sentiments.
I made my comment, headed for more coffee, stopped in the living room, and burst into tears.
I didn’t cry because I related; I cried because I didn’t relate…..anymore.
There was a time about 8-10 years ago that I would have nodded my head in agreement with them. However, that day, my heart was broken over those, although they love God dearly and serve him, feel so distant from him and so unable to connect with him. I cried because for a few moments, God allowed me to “feel” the heaviness of his tender heart for his people, the longing for them to be free to pray.
These are just some of the words I read:
guilt
difficult
distracted
terrible at it
wandering thoughts
short prayers
failure
WHAT?
What are these words coming from his beloved? Prayer should NOT be something that brings us guilt or condemnation. There is no specific formula.
Prayer can be as unique as your own DNA and as intimate as your own breath.
What is a prayer life anyway? What the heck does that mean?
Do we say my “worship life” or my “service life”? nope. Why do we say my “prayer life”?
I know why… because we have a spiritual enemy who wants to take anything, and I mean anything, intended to bring us strength, satisfaction, courage, wisdom, knowledge, etc. and kill it. He wants to take anything that elevates God and dash it to the ground. So, he infuses guilt. We are guilty if we don’t pray for an hour. We are guilty if we don’t pray scripture. We are guilty if our thoughts wander. We are guilty if we fall asleep! We are guilty for not having a “prayer life.”
Stop believing the enemy! Rise UP in the strength of the God’s Spirit to have an intimate relationship with him!
He has destiny for you!
He as truth and words for you!
He has love and strength and hope and power and laughter for you!
Prayer is life. Life is prayer.
When you think about God, he hears you. When you pray in your heart, he hears you. When you whisper a small request he hears you. No doubt, there are real and amazing things that happen from carved out time with him, just as there is in the natural world. We carve out time for those we love, we invest in it, we work for it. Sometimes it’s heavy and hard work, sometimes it’s sitting outside with a coke talking about the puffy monkey in the clouds. Do the same with the Father.
Invest yourself.
Relax
Listen
Enjoy
Confess
Wait
This journey with him on earth can be the best thing on the planet in the history of everything. Don’t let the enemy cloud your mind with lies of guilt and condemnation, formulas and programs. Let God teach you how to pray, which really means, just be you with him and see how this thing turns out. It’s a trip.
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 17:6 NIV
Great devotion and great reminder! ~ Thank you!
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Thank you, I think I needed to hear that. Sometimes I do fall asleep at night praying. I’m sure it is from the peace of talking to my Father.
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That is sad indeed that so many people struggle with prayer. I love prayer time and the fact I can talk directly with God anytime throughout my day and He’s always listening. Am currently reading a cute fiction book about witnessing, the guy can actually hear people’s thoughts like God does. It’s called “The Listener” by Terri Blackstock. Here’s a link to my teaser from it: http://ourstack.blogspot.com/2010/09/teaser-tuesday-listener-and-flight-to.html
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Thank you for a great devotion. We need to put the focus back on God. Guilt is a tool from the enemy! Have a wonderful day.
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I was at a woman’s conference where they talked about being the Bride of Christ – and something very liberating occurred. I imagined myself curled up on a chair in my bedroom, talking with my husband about my day, my fears, my frustrations – and thinking about my love for him. I realized that was how God wanted me to spend time with Him – simple curled up in a chair, spending time with him, talking about challenges and my hurts – and then listening to His advice, His encouragement, His reassurance – and, of course, telling Him how much He means to me. Prayer time isn’t religious – it’s about relationship. I think your post really hit on something so many of us struggle with – wanting to reach God and feeling so inadequate in the reaching.
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Yes, Yes, and oh my goodness YES!!!! There is so much freedom and passion in your post. He doesn’t want us to feel guilty or discouraged, but loved, valued and appreciated. Thank you Natalie for sharing so passionately how much He loves us and just wants to spend time with us! Love it! Melissa
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You’re welcome.
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Your passion for prayer and this post is one so many need to read. It is wonderful and I felt God’s presence speaking through you. I didn’t want to leave. If the enemy convinces us that our prayers are ineffective, we will stop praying. Sweet moments, minutes, hours of prayer loving our Lord will alway wrap us in His love, His truth, His way, and empower us to stand firm.
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Beautiful, beautiful words, natalie. Thanks for a great reminder of the Father’s love. I needed that.
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Natalie,
Just want to hug you my friend. Thank you.
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((((hugs))))
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exactly what I needed to read today and was shared with me at exactly the right time… thank you Jesus! : )
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I LOVE this, I have just recently begun to feel this way about prayer and wondered if I was alone? So glad to have it confirmed that it is not only okay, but GOOD even to have a unique prayer relationship with the Lord! Sometimes I write (more often than not actually) sometimes I stay in a state of talking with Him off and on ALL day, I have even laughed with Him about something that was Silly, and of course there are gut wrenching times I simply fall on my face weeping & begging for His mercies!
I am so glad that God made us to be so individual & intimate with Him!
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Thank for this. Just this morning, I was thinking that while do so many things in His name, I really do not spend quality time with him. I was thinking that the times when i can spend quite time with him, I always seem to either opt to be on the phone, be caught up in my thoughts or listen to music. Your devotion really made an impression on me – I sometimes seem to thin that prayer is something that I have to carve out a specific time period for. But it’s not – it’s really spending time and talking to/listening to Him. The bible says we should pray without ceasing – your life should be a constant prayer.
Thanks so much again – great devotion!
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This is FABULOUS. Thank you SO much for this.
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Thank you, Natalie. I needed to hear that!
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Thank you so much for this encouragement!
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WOW…your list doesn’t spell a cute acronym (RLECW)…like say, ACTS or PRAY…but is more helpful to me than either of those have been in recent years. Thank you! I’m off to…Relax, Listen, Enjoy, Confess, and Wait
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That made me laugh! I’m glad you found it helpful!
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I often feel like I’m being so disrespectful to God when I start a prayer and then find that I’ve let my mind wander or I’ve fallen asleep. I worry that I have no right to ask anything of Him when I can’t even follow through with a prayer that I’ve called on Him to listen to. I just wanted you to know that you made me feel so much better about this. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
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Thank you for an uplifting thought. Prayer has transformed my life and I have friends that cannot relate and I have friends I know think its all about who can do the most at church. I fear those who get so caught up in volunteering and doing for the church forget to keep their personal relationship with Christ their number one priority. I needed to hear your encouragement. Blessings!
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Wow! I am so blessed by all your comments!! I LOVE that some of you felt relieved and that you were all loving freedom in prayer! All my love and blessings to you!!
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Lovely post.
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