There may not seem to be anything novel about prayer. Everyone knows it is a primary feature of religion, and every Christian knows it is something we should be doing. But it can be so difficult. It seems like it takes extraordinary concentration to pray for any extended length of time. If you are like me and have found that to be difficult at times, we are not alone. Godly men and women throughout history have thought through why it is so easy for our minds to wonder. But there are many who have had vibrant, thriving prayer practices, which makes relationship with God extraordinarily personal. What’s the secret?
The Bible reminds us that we are in God’s presence all the time, but not in some distant kind of way, as if He’s a lifeguard scanning the beach, getting an overview of what’s happening. He’s personally orchestrating everything in our lives. He is more intimately present with us than any of us could possibly imagine. We all know that when we are in someone’s presence, its more awkward to be in silence than to communicate. The secret to constant prayer, is the realization of how thoroughly present He is with me right now! Awareness of God brings constant communication.
I would love to hear your thoughts: What makes it most difficult to praying continuously? What things distract you the most? What are some things you do to constantly remind yourself that you are in God’s presence?
5 comments:
First of all, I love picture of God not just being a life guard scanning the horizon. He knows in mind-blowing detail everything about each of us. In fact, He knows more about us than we know...
I find it easier walk in a consistent awareness of God's Presence when I'm consistently reading His Word, the Bible. Scripture has a way of drawing my thoughts and my affections back to God. When I read in the morning before I get my day started, it brings me more of an awareness of His Presence throughout that day. How about you?
Sometimes I think I should just save all my prayers until the end of the day. That way I'm not bothering God with interrupting prayer requests or thoughts. This morning, I was driving into work and I remembered it's the annivesary of my co-workers mother's death. I prayed a quick prayer before I entered the office, "Lord, I don't know what to say, but would you please comfort my co-worker today." I forgot about it and my co-worker ended up bringing it in the morning. Nothing magical happened, but I truly felt the Lord's presence as my co-worker shared what today meant. God had placed it on my heart early this morning and heard my prayer. Our conversation felt like an extension of my prayer. This helped me to understand what "continual prayer" looked like.
I find that I frequently stop what I'm doing to thank God for many blessings throughout the day... even silly little things like a great parking spot. Maya does this also but she takes it one step farther than I do. It has become more apparent to me this week as I'm attempting to stay in His presence that Maya does a better job at this than I do. I think as we grow up we are taught to not 'bother' people with little things that we should be able to handle ourselves and this sometimes carries over into our spiritual walk. You see, I am reluctant to petition God for what I consider the 'small stuff' whereas my 8 year old had no problem stopping in the middle of our movie today and asking the Lord to "help Mommy's eye stop burning"..just one of many I heard today...she stopped me dead in my tracks as I thought, "Now why didn't I think to ask Him that?" If her eye was burning she would ask me to help her cure it and if she suffered through it quietly while I sat near her and didn't ask for help I would be confused and perhaps a little hurt...Isn't that maybe what our Father feels when we try to remedy our own lives as he walks beside us with the ability to draw us closer if we just ask Him?
I do pray often during the day but for the BIG STUFF...This is a great challenge for me...I'm working on it tho'!
Wow these are such great insights. Jon, I think that is so true about starting the day off in His word as an anchor throughout the day. Rebekah, thanks for sharing that victory story, of how your staying in God's presence overflowed into a ministry opportunity. Linda, thanks for that testimony of the faith of a child. So inspiring and what a challenge.
As I have been striving to practice this, I have enjoyed the challenge much more than I thought. Though I began thinking of ways, I hadn't thought of that I did go to God, there are far more whole blocks of time that I forget that I am still intimately in His presence. But, it has been a surprise to me that coming back into His presence is a joy.
Thanks for your testimonies, they have been an encouragement to me and I know many others, to continue working on this ancient practice.
I have been trying to work on this continual prayer and have been loving it. It has almost become a game to me while driving in the car through Miami traffic. I suffer from road rage and I have caught myself actually laughing with God at my ridiculous anger several times!!
However, I am wondering if when school starts up again this challenge will become more difficult. I guess I am asking for prayer--- that when school/work starts tomorrow I can still be aware of God's presence and welcome him with that constant communication He desires and that I will need.
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