If you have
gone to a Sunday School class for any length of time, you know that there are
some answers that will always be correct to say. They are: “God,” “Jesus,” “The
Holy Spirit,” “The Bible,” and “Prayer.” Prayer is my answer to everything in
Sunday School, and just in life in general.
Praying is
something that I have early memories doing. Those memories are not necessarily
at meal time, though they involve those times too, but they are mostly the
times when I was by myself playing. Being the youngest and only girl, I had a
lot of time to be on my own. Talking to God was just a part of that. I have
always looked to Him as being my confidant and He has continued to be
throughout my life. I will always be thankful for Him being in my life, because
quite honestly, anything that I have done right is because of Him. However, I would
not consider myself as a “prayer warrior.” That’s what they call the people
that “fight on their knees” or are praying constantly on behalf of others. As
complimentary as it would be to be called that, I am not there yet.
The other
morning, I woke up in the middle of a bad dream. My heart was racing, and it
felt real. All I knew to do was to start praying. As I did, I could feel the
weight of my thoughts just disappear. Whenever I get in a situation where it feels
out of control, I start praying. It might be a few words, but it is to the
Almighty God, the only Being in my whole life that I can trust. I always feel
at peace with whatever it is after that. It doesn’t change the situation, but
it changes me.
Here are a
few things I know about prayer: Anyone can pray. You can pray at any time of
the day or night. You can pray anywhere. You can speak, sing, shout, whisper,
or think prayers. Prayer isn’t about getting what you want, when you want it. It
is about pursuing a relationship with God, getting to know Him better. So, don’t
pray expecting an answer. Pray expecting to know the Lord better, and then you
might get an answer.
If you want
your marriage to be better: pray. If you don’t understand your child: pray. If
you have a co-worker that is giving you problems: pray. If you are at your last
straw: pray. Unsure about anything: pray. Yes, you may be strong and smart. You
might not need a Higher Power as quick as I do, because you are very capable,
but if you do get in a jam: pray. Don’t forget to pray just to say, “Thank
you.”
Rejoice
always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~1
Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
