Ironically, my internship responsibilities this spring have centered
on prayer. I say ironically because prayer is not one of my strong
points. I struggle to stick with it. I become distracted easily. I
stumble over my words. I sound like a broken record.
I wish I prayed more like those great men and women I have read about, or even some those I am blessed to serve alongside.
And yet, as I have had the privilege of preaching two sermons and spending time in God's Word, I have found encouragement in the midst of my struggles with prayer.
She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly...As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard...But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation. ~1 Samuel 1:10, 12-16
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O Lord-how long? ~Psalm 6:2-3
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, o my soul, and forget not all his benefits. ~Psalm 103:1-2
Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. ~Psalm 111:1
I could have included many other passages, but I figured these four would suffice. At the risk of being too simplistic, prayer is bearing our hearts and souls to the Lord. Yes, we have plenty of examples, such as the Lord's prayer, regarding how we should prayer. They are good at providing structure and guidance to our prayers.
But these four verses reveal what lies as the foundation of our prayers. It is the the people of God desperately crying out to their God and Father. It is recognizing we are in need of His grace and mercy each and every moment of the day.
And that is the comfort I have received over these past few months. My prayers are still far from perfect. I still struggle. But I am being reminded more than structure and form, God wants my heart and soul. He wants me to come before Him with whatever is facing me. God wants to hear my grief. God wants to hear my praise. God wants hear my confession. God wants to everything.
And that is what we are invited to do through prayer.
I wish I prayed more like those great men and women I have read about, or even some those I am blessed to serve alongside.
And yet, as I have had the privilege of preaching two sermons and spending time in God's Word, I have found encouragement in the midst of my struggles with prayer.
She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly...As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard...But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation. ~1 Samuel 1:10, 12-16
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O Lord-how long? ~Psalm 6:2-3
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, o my soul, and forget not all his benefits. ~Psalm 103:1-2
Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. ~Psalm 111:1
I could have included many other passages, but I figured these four would suffice. At the risk of being too simplistic, prayer is bearing our hearts and souls to the Lord. Yes, we have plenty of examples, such as the Lord's prayer, regarding how we should prayer. They are good at providing structure and guidance to our prayers.
But these four verses reveal what lies as the foundation of our prayers. It is the the people of God desperately crying out to their God and Father. It is recognizing we are in need of His grace and mercy each and every moment of the day.
And that is the comfort I have received over these past few months. My prayers are still far from perfect. I still struggle. But I am being reminded more than structure and form, God wants my heart and soul. He wants me to come before Him with whatever is facing me. God wants to hear my grief. God wants to hear my praise. God wants hear my confession. God wants to everything.
And that is what we are invited to do through prayer.
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