Pray (verb): to make a request in a humble manner; to address God with adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgiving
During my faith journey, the vitality of my prayer life has ebbed and flowed, with weeks of heartfelt prayers followed up by weeks of “going through the motion”. The biggest change over the years has been that I spend less time with my personal requests, and more time praising God, giving thanks, and supplicating on behalf of others.
I’ve tried to become authentic with prayer, to just “be me” while I sit with God rather than trying to impress him with my words. I am willing to try new ways of praying, and then incorporating what feels right into my own process.
As with every topic I dissect, I look to Jesus – as my mentor and my encourager. What did Jesus model for us?
Jesus prayed regularly, both alone and with others, in public and in private. He prayed in quiet times and in times of significant events.
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray and spent the night praying to God. Luke 6:12
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” Mark 14:32
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16
Jesus prayed for others and over others. He taught others how to pray. He prayed at great length.
Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. Matthew 19:13
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray…” Luke 11:1
Prayer was obviously very important to Jesus and should be to me too. I keep a journal of special moments God has responded to me after a time of prayer. Whenever my prayer life feels weak, or I’m struggling with believing in the power of prayer, I reach for my green book and read a story or two…
The Lost Dog
Returning home from my bible study tonight, a police officer was in our street and stopped to tell me about a missing dog. I was just setting off for a walk with my own dog, and the discussion with the officer caused me to turn a different direction and become very attentive to my surroundings.
I prayed, “God, you love all creatures. Keep this dog safe. Comfort the troubled family. If I can be of any help, use me.”
A few blocks later, a solo dog appeared trotting down the street. I called out the name that the police officer had given to me, and the dog responded immediately! He came to me for a greeting and was excited to meet my dog. I strung the leash through his collar, connecting the two dogs by a single leash, and walked home quickly. I called the phone number inscribed on his tag. His owner arrived in a heartbeat, and was visibly distraught with both worry and relief, saying the words “Thank You” through her tears.
I told her about the police officer and my prayer, and as we hugged, we both agreed – God answers prayers!
*******************
The Three Owls
As I started walking the 1-mile loop near the lake, a route I have taken dozens of times over the past ten years, I prayed to God to open my eyes to the beauty all around me. I asked for new sight, new appreciation of the majesty of his creation big and small.
A quarter of a mile later, I encountered three owls standing in the middle of the gravel road. They watched me and my dog closely as we approached, then flew up into the trees by the side of the road. We were able to get close enough that I could look into their wise eyes and feel a connection. Then they flew off.
My mouth stood agape, my heart beat rapidly, and my hands trembled. It’s rare to see one owl at any time, or in any place, but three? I had not once seen an owl on this familiar road. As I walked on, I considered that they were in fact a representation of our magnificent Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit.
My beautiful owls, my answered prayer.