Prayer

Matthew 6: 9 – 13

“This, then, is how you should pray, ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”

AND

Luke 11: 2 – 4

He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.  Give us each day our daily bread.  Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.  And lead us not into temptation.”

Every night before I go to sleep, I begin my prayers, "Dear God, let your will be done in my son's life.  Let us be a family again."  People who follow Jesus don't have perfect lives or perfect families.  Don't expect a life of bliss and domestic tranquility; it's not going to happen.  Jesus doesn't smooth the road ahead; He becomes the light that guides our feet.

Jesus taught us how to pray.  Two examples are listed above. This is the pattern for the perfect prayer.  I strongly encourage you to study the Lord's Prayer.  Don't worry about the whole sinners versus debtors versus trespassers thing.  Those are just words.  Comprehend the concepts:  

God is holy. 

The fulfillment of God's will completes the master design for the universe. 

Trust that God will meet your needs. 

Ask God to forgive your sins. 

Forgive people. 

Believe that God will not leave you during times of trouble. 

Praise God.

I used to worry that I was wasting God's time.  After all, He was dealing with war, famine, pestilence, starving children, and terrorism, not to mention volcanic eruptions and hurricanes.  I just had a very quiet, mundane, small-town life.

I slipped into the habit of praying for others.  When I hear an ambulance I pray, "Lord, guard and guide."  When I see a policeman or a helmet-less biker, I pray, "God, protect and preserve."  When I see a child, I pray, "Sweet Jesus, direct and defend."  It's very simple; very easy.  It doesn't take a lot of time out of my busy schedule.  Plus, it gives me the feeling that I am praying without ceasing.

At night, in my pajamas and my nice comfortable bed, I ask God to help all the people in trouble.  I name them all and tell God about their problems.

For years, this was how I communicated with God.  It was like I was constantly forwarding e-mails to God without telling him about me: my needs, my troubles, my hopes, my joy.  I closed my prayers the way I close my e-mails, "Love you!  Evelyn"

I was a very busy prayer-er, but I ignored the fact that I was important to God.  He loves me.  He doesn’t just want to hear from me; He wants to speak with me.

I learned the hard way that I can't save anyone.  I learned the hard way that the only person I can control is myself.  I learned the hard way that I am not in charge of the universe.  Most importantly, I learned the hard way that God loves me.

I stopped forwarding prayers to God and began begging, "God, help me.  I need you."

This shift in relationship has changed my life.  I still pray for those I see around me.  I still lift the cares and burdens of friends up to God.  I always pray that God's will be done in my son's life.  But I talk to God now.

That's what prayer is meant to be; not just sending communications to the Divine God, but having conversations with my Sweet Lord.

To me, prayer is the most important part of this Prayer Shawl Ministry.  We are not just a group of people making handmade clothing.  We're not just a group of people giving away clothing.  We pray.  This defines us.  This empowers us.

As you pray over the shawls and for the recipients, don't forget to talk to God.  Ask Him to guide you and to guard you.  Ask Him to protect and preserve you.  Ask Him to direct and defend you.  You are important to Him.  He is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, and extremely busy.  But He will always take time to listen to you.

Pray.

[Insert your prayer here.]