Prayer

For about a year I have been trying to write this post on prayer, but I kept reaching roadblocks in my writing out of fear of making prayer sound like something that it's not. I have struggled to find one common theme to write a coherent post, so I divided this into sections that are entirely different. It's all about prayer and it's all just my thoughts.

Simplicity of prayer
Last week, I staffed a day camp and worked with 5 year-old's everyday which once again convinced me of my desire to write and post on this subject. After months of brainstorming, hesitating, and rewriting, a few thoughts finally clicked: prayer isn't complicated. During Bible Study with this group of kids one day, one of my co-workers asked if anyone knew how to accept the free gift of salvation that God is offering. A girl raised her hand and said, "You just ask, "Can I have it please?"". She was absolutely right. How many gifts do we just not ask for? Asking isn't hard, it only takes the faith of a child. We are saved by simply asking if we could have that salvation. Like a father, God is pleased when we pray this way, not with all the fancy words but with a simple question. He promises that anything we ask for in His name He will give to us (John 14:13, Matthew 18:19, Matthew 21:22). Prayer is not complicated, salvation is ours if we just ask.

Living on a prayer

The truth found her. A young girl growing up in a Christian home finally listened to the words she was hearing. She knelt that night and prayed a simple prayer. Praying brought her life, a new life by faith she had never known before.

The lies were winning. She was ready to give up, tired of being strong, running from faith. Going to God was the last thing on her mind, but someone somewhere was on their knees asking God to give her strength. Prayer saved a life that night, a life that existed despite the lies.

He had always known the truth. When he entered the temple to pray that day, he genuinely believed he was talking to God but didn't expect to be faced by an angel with a promise and a prophecy. Zachariah's prayer was answered and his son prepared the way for the Savior that was to bring new life.

Surrounded by four squads of guards, he probably knew that the church was praying for his release from jail. When darkness had fallen, a light appeared and the Christian leader was guided through an iron gate that miraculously opened. Peter's arrival at the house where believer's were praying was such a shock that the servant forgot to let him in. Prayer spared a life that night.

Prayer has the power to bring life and save lives just as it does in these short examples. The phrase, "living on a prayer" has been common ever since the rock band Bon Jovi created a song by that name and I think that phrase is a applicable to the Christian life. Christians live because of a prayer we prayed in which we confessed our sins and believed in Jesus. Just as we live because of prayer, we should make it a big part of our life style. Many people have literally lived on a prayer, since prayers have saved so many lives. If we are alive in Christ because of prayer, why don't more of us live on a prayer? Prayer to the One that gave us life should be a big part of our lives. Turning to God in thanks, in praise, for help, or any other reason ought to be our way of life.

Prayer brings change
Much has been written about prayer and I know I can't tell you anything you haven't already heard. But I can repeat it and reminded you of the work God does when His people pray. Honestly, it still amazes me to hear or read the stories of the way God's hand moves to answer prayers. Sometimes the change is small, other times it's earthshattering, but when God answers prayers it really does bring change. Not only does prayer move God's hand to change circumstances or bring blessings, it also changes us. Every day that we turn to God in prayer we are establishing Him more certainly as the King of our heart. Prayer shows us our dependence on Him, humbles us, and reminds us that we aren't in charge. I want to live each day becoming more submissive to God by humbly turning to Him first. One of the most important aspects of prayer is the way we are changed by it.

The habit of prayer
Can I ask you a question?
When is the last time you prayed?

Praying often is a hard habit to get into because sometimes you feel close to God and other days you want nothing to do with Him. I get it. I know a few people who pray like I wish I did. Like I strive to. It's not obsessive like, "God should I walk out of my room with my left or my right foot first?" but it is indicative of a close friendship. It's...familiar. Like He actually is their Father. That's how I want to live: in close fellowship with my Savior, praying often and making it real. We are in a relationship and talking to God is one of the biggest blessing of being a Christian. There doesn't have to be any distance or formality, awkwardness or attempts at the right words. Prayer is a conversation with the Friend Who saved your life, the Father who loves you the most, it should be familiar and close. When our lives are hit by something big, it should knock us off our feet and onto our knees in prayer. When good news arrives, praise God in prayer. When you feel alone and lost, cry out to the Good Shephard who is always with you.

I know that was a lot of random things and I probably repeated myself quite a bit, but I think that's ok. I believe prayer is very easy for us to take for granted and being reminded of it's power can be helpful. If nothing else, I hope these short thoughts made you consider your prayer life. Our relationship with our Father is the most important thing in this life, I strongly encourage you to deepen that relationship each day through prayer. 

A Real Answer

It used to be that whenever anyone asked how I was, my response was the average, well-used one that everyone expects to hear, “I’m good”. It was never a lie; just not meant the way it was said. What I really meant, and what I think is true for a lot of people when they say those words, was something like this:

I’m good at running from my problems
straight into another mess of evil.
Good at pretending I can solve them
but that’s when the confusion peaks.
I’m good at pretending to pray,
Yet I haven’t felt close to God in weeks.
I’m good at staying up all night,
man I practice that all the time.
It’s like the problems won’t even leave
long enough for me to get some sleep,
so I’m good at pacing back and forth
and staying on my feet.
I’ve gotten better at cleaning up messes,
but only after I make them.
Doing just fine at disguising my tears,
you wouldn’t believe how often I cry.
The truth is I’ve been hurting,
but I won’t ever let you know.
I’ve just been going through the motions
answering the questions like I’m supposed to
careful not to say the rest of that sentence
and let my pain show.
I’ve been good at not letting my hands shake,
hiding how much I just want to break,
playing the music extra loud,
getting lost in the words for a while.
I’ve gotten better at changing my voice
so you think I’m smiling when I answer the phone.
Doing fine at waving goodbye
so you won’t see the hurt in my eyes.
Truth is, I’ve been good at looking at people
and giving “I’m good” as a reply
but you don’t know
how many times I had to practice
standing in the mirror
and trying to hide the scar in my smile.
Sure, I’m good, but not like you think.

I’m good, I’m fine, doing well, hanging in there……all those normal responses to questions like, “how are you?” or “how have you been?” disguise a life that is far from perfect. The reality is that we are all hurting, broken sinners. And yes, we all have good weeks so our responses don’t always hide problems, but it’s still not a very descriptive answer. I used to give one of those average responses. Now, I refuse to give the answer that people are expecting to hear. I’m tired of saying the same words I said when I knew it was a lie. So I give my own response, and when you hear me answer your questions with, “I’m here”, this is what I mean:

I’m here, praise God!
He chose a place for me
to bring me joy and Him glory.
Struggling through the darkness,
I’m here searching for light.
Getting hit by the same temptations,
but still choosing to fight.
Standing here is proof
that my God is in control.
You have no clue
how many mountains had to move
for me to be here.
Maybe I don’t want to fight the next battle
perhaps I’m tired of walking forward
but right here, right now, this moment
is a victory because I’m here.
My response may be tired,
it probably has notes of reluctance,
I shrug my shoulders when I answer
yet I am still here.
Other times, this answer
contains quite a bit of fear.
Yeah, I’m here but barely.
Drowning, struggling, hurting
here I am, someone save me.
This is my cry for help
can’t you see? can you hear me?
grab my hand and pull me up.
I don’t know why
I don’t know how
I don’t know for what
but somehow I’m here.
In God’s place, moving at His pace
I’m here, Lord take and use me.
Friend, I’m here for you.
Broken ones, I’m here with you.
Fellow soldiers, I’m here beside you.
Ask how I am and you’ll get a real answer
“I’m here, how are you?”