Prayer can be rote. As I hear and repeat, The Lord's Prayer, I have to remind myself to slow down and mean the words. As I recently listened to one of my children say a blessing before a meal, I was reminded how easily meaningful communication can become simply habit. For example, saying," I love you." to a friend or family member, "I'm sorry." when you make a mistake, or "Call me." when you see a friend in public. Our communication with God is subject to the same plight.
My prayer life ebbs and flows. It takes a larger position in my day depending on my discipline. But even when I have a renewed commitment to spend time in prayer, I pray for the same things and move dangerously close to form over substance. I do mean it when I tell my husband, children, and family that I love them. And when I pray I really do want God to hear me and answer my prayer. I probably pray for the same things most people who believe in God do...keep my family safe and sound throughout the day, give us wisdom and understanding to make good decisions, make me productive and effective in my work day, forgive me for all of the mistakes yesterday and help me not make the same ones, give me focus, let me see and meet the needs of people around me, help me manage my health better, help my Mom find a buyer for her house... you get the point. I really want God's guidance and ear. But do I take time to hear him throughout the day? Do I follow my instincts during the day? Do I live my day in such a way that my prayers can be answered?
Words always need actions and I believe prayer does too. Saying "I love you" means more when my actions show I love my husband and family. There is a song or saying that talks of being a living prayer. Perhaps that is the most sincere prayer. Live the prayer you make. Live the words you pray.
What do you pray for??
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