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Scripture
“pray continually”
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Reflection
Throughout each day, pray. It doesn’t have to be extensive or even about you. Just regular conversation, like you would a parent, friend, or mentor.
When you see someone doing something wrong or harmful, say, “Father forgive them”. When you see someone being kind, courteous, or doing right, say, “Father continue to bless them,” and when you are faced with crippling fear, say, “Father strengthen me.” These are just some examples.
Sometimes long, drawn out prayers are the workings of a person who carries a burden they aren’t sure even God can conquer by their perceived deadline.
Or it’s from repeating what they’ve seen their elders do, so they do it too. They grew up in church hearing long prayers, sometimes very dramatic and theatrical prayers, and so they pray the same way. They heard repetitive phrases so they repeat the same phrases. But it’s not even their personality, their character, their energy. It’s not authentic and unique to them. They aren’t distinguished. They are merely parroting. How can God be intimate with you when you’re being and sounding like someone else?
Other times a person feels obligated to address every issue or concern, rolling out a long laundry list, as though God is unaware of what that person has gone through or is going through. These exhaustive prayers are oftentimes more for the person’s reassurance and re-commitment than anything. It’s more like self-talk than having a one-on-one with God.
And then there are some people who are mesmerized by their own voice, so they talk until they get tired, can’t think of anything else to say—or someone lovingly gets them to cease. We have experienced this at the blessing of meals. Leave it to them, our hot food would become cold, our cold food would grow warm, and all of it would be stale. 😄
I say this not to discourage you from prayer, or even saying lengthy ones— but rather to let you know that God does not shun you for the length of your prayers—He’s only concerned with the authenticity and sincerity of the prayer. He wants us to come to Him for all things, and be grateful for all that we have. He wants to see us grow and change, and be better servants in His Kingdom. He wants to have an intimate relationship with you, a relationship that is incomparable, immeasurable, and unimaginable. He’s not concerned with who can poetically pray the ‘best’ and for the longest, or who can say Father-God the most.
And don’t get me started on the repeated prayers for forgiveness and restoration. I’ve had to learn this the hard way. You begging for forgiveness over and over, every day or two, tells God that you don’t think He has forgiven you, and that’s because you haven’t forgiven yourself. That’s the issue you should be bringing to Him, helping you to forgive yourself.
And on those restoration prayers, you don’t need to keep reminding God about your bills and debt, or illness. He’s already resolved them. He’s just waiting for you to get into agreement, declare this truth, and catch up to Him.
Your repeated pleas once again carry doubt not conviction. So rather than beg why don’t you praise Him for reconciling your accounts, healing you, restoring you—because although you don’t see it and feel it, if you truly believe and trust, and know Him and His track record, then you would be celebrating now while you wait to witness your deliverance.
So you may not be ‘seasoned’ at praying, but you have experienced a great deal of ups and downs that you can be grateful for, and that you can ask for guidance to see you through. Speak with Him as you would a trusted loved one, mentor, coach, or friend. You don’t need the formalities. You just need to share your heart with Him. Open up and surrender. There’s nothing that you’re telling Him that He doesn’t already know. He just wants the connection and time with you.
And always remember to believe before you ask, know in your heart before you declare it with your mouth, and never stop sharing these intimate moments throughout the day with your Creator.
Prayer
Father, I am grateful for another day; grateful for Your love and care; grateful for Your Word; and for Your mercy. Fill me Lord with Your presence so that I am always present and receptive to the bounty of gifts that You share with me each moment of the day.
Thank You for this wonderful relationship that we have, where I can come to You and speak with You about any and all things, no matter how big or small. I don’t need a translator or interpreter, mediator or other third person to explain to me Your unwavering love. I don’t need a go-between to talk to You. All I have to do is pray and I know that You hear me. Thank You Father. In Your Name I pray, in Jesus’s steps I follow. Praising You always. Amen.
And with that family, I pray that you are blessed, that you see and embrace your blessings, and that you are a blessing to others.
Love,
Your sister in Christ
Copyright 2012-2023. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. BreakingBreadWithNatasha.com
Music: Climb by Shane Ivers; Quiescent In Time by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com
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