An extremely
difficult undertaking, isn't it? The whole prayer thing? I have to
say, I've never considered myself to be very good at it. It has never
come easily to me, at least not in the way that I used to think it
was 'supposed' to occur. I don't know if that sounds strange coming
from a Christian or not, but I've known others who have felt much the
same. Oddly enough, it took me a long time to become comfortable with
the idea that there is no magical formula for prayer.
When I'd hear
others pray out loud, I couldn't help but think about how mine didn't
sound like that. But now I realize that most of us probably don't
sound like that when we're inside our own heads. Some of us ramble
about through our jumbled thoughts, getting constantly distracted by
other jumbled thoughts (at least, I'm hoping I'm not the only one).
Add that to the fact that we are told to never stop praying, and
well, it seems like a huge task.
I used to ask, if
we are supposed to 'pray without ceasing', what should that look
like?
There are several
acronyms often taught in the church to help Christians learn 'how to
pray'. One in particular that I remember is 'ACTS' – Adoration,
Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. I realize there are many
benefits to formulas, and there have certainly been times that I
benefited from following this model for prayer, but I've found that
it's much like when we did something called TAG writing in our junior
high English class. I spent too much time being concerned with
whether or not each sentence properly modified the one before it to
actually write anything of substance.
Following
a prayer model can certainly be a bit like that – it's possible to
allow the formula to overshadow our deep need to connect with our
Savior on a more personal level than, “what comes next?” For
me, the idea of vulnerability has always seemed daunting enough as it
is without tossing in a formula to 'get right'. Using a model is
likely a great tool in the beginning as we're learning the ropes, but
there comes a point when we have to be comfortable enough in the
process to just pray what we're going to pray, or write what we're
going to write.
In the past I have struggled with that
aspect of communication in my human relationships – the
vulnerability part. I tend to shy away from trusting others with my
innermost thoughts. I am not an open book, nor do I desire to be one,
but the more I live life, the more necessary I see that kind of
openness to be. I especially need to be that way with God, if I ever
expect He's going to mold me.
Prayer has so much more to do with
delighting in His presence and continual meditation on His word than
simply telling him our thoughts. That's what I'm learning right now –
that my 'praying without ceasing' is about allowing Him to lead me
through my life day by day, moment by moment. When I am continually
aware of Him, seeking His guidance, giving Him thanks...that's my
communication with Him. That's my ceaseless prayer. And all day,
every day, without fail, He is there.
