This is the honest diary of someone who had been a Christian for many years and yet struggles to pray regularly. Consistent prayer has only been part of my life during certain seasons of my life. I feel a strong conviction to pray and after months of ignoring it, I'm going to take it seriously. Now I'm asking an honest question-- how many Christians truly pray? Many of us depend on it when we are in need, but few have a regular routine of prayer.
Maybe that's just it: routines are boring. But I'm an adult now, in the real world, and my life is a routine. The first step to an actual prayer life: plan it. If I never took the first step of deciding on a time to prayer I don't think I'd ever have started.
Is starting a blog about prayer forceful or condescending? I don't think so. At Taylor I received a book listing every person who has donated money to the school. At first I was opposed to this. (Despite the waste of paper needed to print the book,) I felt that it was showy and pushy. However, as I looked through the book I noticed many of my professors were listed. Many alums who graduated within the past 10 years were listed. I was spurred on! Recent graduates and professors give of themselves to contribute-- I should too!
In the same way I've watched my sister grow in the discipline of prayer. I've been encouraged to pray, probably prayed for to pray. :) Knowing that others do it regularly tells me I can do it. I have a lot of explore here too. What really happens to Christians who pray regularly? Do they feel better about themselves for the sake of dedication and righteousness, or is it something more? I've heard countless stories of endless "coincidences"-- oh heck, let's just call it what it is: The moving and active leading of God in the life of those who pray.
I began my routine of prayer by picking a time and place. I knew I couldn't jump into several hours of prayer. I work full time and I need to start gradually. I decided that 15 minutes is a solid starting time. Fifteen minutes of intentional prayer. It is so surprising how difficult this is, even for seasoned Christians! After I chose a time I picked the place. I live 1 block from one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world!! How humbling it is for me to walk into a giant cathedral lit entirely by stained glass windows and talk to the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
Now I just get off the bus one stop early on my way home from work to take 15 minutes of my day to pray. It sounds so basic.... but let's be real, it's difficult! The first step is finding the time though.
What was surprisingly easy was the talking. It was like talking to an old friend. Sooo much poured out. I was taken aback by God's mercy toward me, especially given my neglectful attitude toward Him lately. I was full of praise. I just wanted to tell God that He was wonderful and worthy. I prayed parts of Isaiah:
Isaiah 60:1-3, 11a, 14c, 18-19
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.
For behold, darkness covers the land;
deep gloom enshrouds the peoples.
But over you the Lord will rise,
and his glory will appear upon you.
Nations Will stream to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawning.
Your gates will always be open;
by day or night they will never be shut.
They will call you, The City of the Lord,
The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Violence will no more be heard in your land,
ruin or destruction within your borders.
You will call your walls, Salvation,
and all your portals, Praise.
The sun will no more be your light by day;
by night you will not need the brightness of the moon.
The Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.I love that it speaks a good word to gloomy people. I haven't been in the working world long, but I certainly see the gloom that the rat race brings. I love that it goes on to say, "
But over you the Lord will rise, and his glory will appear upon you." I see Christians realizing that God can rise above us like the sun rises above and outshine us, putting us to shame and awe. But like the sun, the Lord shares His glory with us and He is further illuminated throughout the Earth.
