Do you ever wonder if your prayers achieve anything? Me too.
Sometimes it feels as if our words get no further than our lips, laps or living-rooms.
We feel dry inside.
All life and vitality drained out of us.
Going through the motions.
As if praying is a duty rather than a privilege.
Yet, if we stop and think about it, we are partnering up with God in helping to bring about His purposes on the earth.
The Creator, Sustainer and Lord of the Universe actually invites us to come to Him and share in His own heart’s desires.
To hear what moves Him and be moved to participate in bringing it to pass.
To offload all our anxieties, cares and concerns.
To intercede for those in need.
To help, support, encourage and minister to others.
To co-labour in spreading the news of His tremendous love and grace.
What could be more awesome than that?
It doesn’t rest on our words, our feelings, our dryness or liveliness.
It doesn’t rest on how weary or alert we are.
It doesn’t rest on how much time we spend, what physical position we adopt or if we speak, shout, cry or remain silent.
It rests solely on God’s willingness to work with and through His people in a powerful, life-transforming way.
And that’s a huge relief!
The poem/prayer below was written in sympathy and support for all who may feel like inadequate prayer warriors.
As you read it, please remember that our feelings about how we pray are far less important than the fact that we do pray.
Sometimes, just saying, “Help” or “Jesus” is the most powerful prayer you can utter as it reveals total dependence on Him.
Our prayers rise as incense, a fragrant offering to God.
His Father-heart longs to hear us speak to Him about any and everything.
And His greatest desire is to speak to us too.
So remember, my friend, God cares about your life – each and every aspect of it is very important to Him.
“More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of” ~ Alfred Lord Tennyson
‘Simply being’
Lord,
I am ashamed at the paucity of my prayers
so often brief, wandering or barely there
where are the sighs, groans and moans
of a powerful prayer wrestler
or the quiet resting, grace-revealing confidence
of a seasoned intercessor?
Mine slip out unnoticed, arrows weakly fired
just hitting ceiling, dying expired, or spoken by rote
in a bleary state, I feel like they’re not going anywhere
or very appealing to You at any rate
and I must confess it bothers me when clock-watching replaces
the freedom of Simply Being in Your Presence, at ease
resting, trusting, listening, heeding, instead of these
snatched moments racing against time, weariness or schedule
that scarcely please me, never mind You at all
So I come, bearing a burden heavy
to let fall, lay at Your feet
disposing of my shame and guilt
at Your forgiving mercy-seat
and take up another burden to bear
as for my sister and brother
I long to pray and share
as I learn not to be so much
concerned for my own affairs
as I know I should be
and sense the beating of Your heart
for this world’s grief and sorrow
You’re longing to impart to me
so I can join in prayer to bring about
the blessing of Your Healing and Your Peace
for today and for tomorrow
©JoyLenton2013