I know I haven't blogged in quite a while (post on why coming soon) and I'm just bustin' back in with a serious topic, but this has really been on my heart and mind lately, and I wanted to share. I'm hoping that of the 5 people reading it will help, at least, one of you.
I've had a difficult time over the years having a consistent prayer life. It seemed like every time I would sit down to pray I would think about something, lift it up to the Lord, and then let my mind wander to other things. Basically, after some focused thought I would end up day dreaming. In fact, I did the same thing in college when I would try to study for a test. I would read a paragraph about political blah blah blah, and my mind would wander aaaaall over the place. It's amazing how thinking about one thing can lead to another, then another, then another, and you're like, "How did I get to thinking about _____ when I started out praying about _____???"
I've been in a place in my life over the last few months where the Lord has broken me more than He ever has before. It's been uncomfortable, scary, and I have never ever in my life had to lean on Him more. And, as a survival skill, I've had to learn to pray.
I've never been into, or understood, diaries. I feel like I would try to edit my entries so that whoever read it one day would end up thinking I was way cooler and stronger and more fun than I actually am. However, I have started a prayer journal. I didn't really mean for it to start out that way, but that's what it has turned into. I write out my raw, straight from my head to my hand, prayers to the Lord out on paper. It helps me to stay focused on my train of thought, and it helps me to really think through what I'm praying. I also write other people's prayer requests down and pray for them, so that I don't just say, "Yeah, I'm praying for you." and then totally forget.
Trust me, I know this isn't an original thought about how to pray, but I've really been encouraged and strengthened in my walk with the Lord since I started using this tactic. And, sometimes when I am feeling stressed or overwhelmed or thankful or whatever and I don't have the journal with me (it just stays at home), I write out my prayer- even just a sentence, on a little post it note or scrap of paper. I guess it just feels more tangible to me, I don't know.
"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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5 comments:
Thanks for posting this! I started doing this a little while back but I didn't write things out and then I stopped doing it entirely. This is good encouragement! :)
Lynch, thanks for sharing your heart! I am in the exact same boat. I always say it's because I'm so A.D.D., but I start praying about my attitude and end up making my grocery list! Obviously I struggle with it too.
I'm thankful I can call you a friend and I'm so thankful to know you are a friend who will pray with me and for me. XOXO
thanks for sharing friend. it's encouraging to see how the Lord is using it to mold you
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!
I'm your 5th reader :) and lovin' it. Thanks for sharing and don't feel alone! I think everyone goes through this...and I'm certainly not saying that I don't still struggle with it. What helps me is really the Lords prayer. Starting with "My Father...hallowed be thy name..." When I know the power of who I'm praying to...it's not necessarily the quality and quantity of my prayer, but the object of my faith that makes the difference. There's so much more to that and this is totally too long for a comment - my apologies. miss you friend! tweet, tweet.
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