I'm just now beginning to understand this as a discipline. The bigness of it. The effects of it. The privilege of it.
There are so many awesome scriptures on prayer. So many quotes by really wonderful people on prayer. So many good pray-ers. No one really needs me to write a blog post on it.
But here lately, I have been finding so much joy in praying. Instead of it being a monotonous ritual or an anxiety filled plea - it's become more of a communing. It's something I crave. Something I need. Not something I dread. Not something I fear. It's also been more about intercession. That is, praying for other people - interceding for them. I have found so much satisfaction in this. Excitement, even! I've discovered that praying for another person's needs causes a fountain of love and contentment to well up inside - causing the tumult within my own heart to cease. Sounds cheesy but it's true.
Our whole family is experiencing the same thing. Right now, there is a light-up rotating globe sitting on my kitchen table - at the request of my husband. It has become our centerpiece, if you will. It serves as a reminder that there is a whole world of people who need the love and compassion of Jesus. And it reminds us to pray for them. It's powerful. It's even had an impact on our 4 year old. This week - he chose to pray for Portugal, Spain, France, and all of Africa. He gets it.
His Mommy is trying hard to get it, too. That's where you come in! What can I pray about for YOU? Please take me up on this. It would be my pleasure to lift you up in intercession. I'm setting aside some extra time just to pray for you. Take courage in that!
I'll leave you with some wisdom far richer than anything I could ever conjure up! Be blessed, friends - and know that you are loved....
Pray without ceasing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:17
"I am so grateful I did not wait until I was perfect or had everything straight before praying for others, otherwise I would never have begun." - Richard Foster
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. - Jeremiah 33:3
"Understand that praying is more than bowing your head and saying your prayers. Your whole life can be a prayer." - from Checklist for a Woman's Life
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He made abide with you forever. - John 14:16
Lord, lead me in prayer. Meet me in prayer. Teach me how to pray. Let the Spirit pray through me. Bring people and things to my mind that you want prayed for. And let me heed the call. Please bless everyone who stops by my blog with a deep reassurance of Your goodness. We praise you.
In Jesus, Amen.
