So I slept very well until 2 am, then popped up like a Spring chicken, and felt fully awake. Due to work this coming day, it was troublesome, but I remembered an old truth, that when woken up, pray. Listen to the Spirit and pray for whoever and whatever comes to mind. So that I did. A couple of things were revealed. One: I don't pray much. I've gotten confused about what I really believe about me praying and my effectiveness, or if it really makes a difference. I've probably gotten more guarded or jaded over the years from some of the Lord's silent periods and some seemingly "unanswered" prayers. The "unanswered" category also includes answers that don't go my way. I am the first to admit, I don't know the full reason for praying in the first place and I simply don't know how or why it works. I seem to know a lot about prayer though. It's a common subject of teaching, as well as a common tradition. I really don't like praying aloud in public. I find myself thinking of certain words and concerned with how it sounds and if I recite a "good" prayer, to feel good about my performance. I'm guessing I'm not the only one who struggles with this. So, I won't go into all of the truths I have learned about prayer, but just wanted to note that it is still a mystery to me. I will say this: I always lean toward an open, honest communication with God when confused. I lean on the relationship aspects. I guess you can picture a simple conversation between friends or between a greater and lesser. But, as I mentioned, this is the smaller of two points, and I don't feel led to go into each bible verse and truth concerning prayer. I digress.
So, I find myself up, in the middle of the night, and begin praying. This is the second and main point: I was overwhelmed at how many things, projects, relationships, situations, circumstances, needs, wants, problems, praises, worries, acts requiring repentance, goals, personal developments, issues, blah, blah, blah. It was unbelievable! I just rambled on and on as the items just kept cropping up into my mind. It was then that I realized just how extremely important it was to stay closely connected to Jesus, shall I say 24/7. Every day, in every circle and circumstance, I have to stay connected to Jesus, all the while drawing on my spiritual experience, being led by the Spirit, and applying my faith to each situation. It is my only chance to maximize His presence and leadership in my life and affect others. I cannot afford to neglect connecting with Him. Someone or something will be compromised. I just never imagined I was involved in so many things and in so many lives. Anybody tracking with me? Like I said, I don't pray enough, so I just now realized this fact. I think it took some three hours in all to consider all these areas of need. And I didn't hear a single response from Him. Now, I know He heard every spoken and unspoken word. I know He enjoyed me talking to Him. Again, there is so much more to prayer, to be sure, but the big deal here returns me to The Shack, where He Himself said, " I don't want to be at the top of a priority list. I want to be right in the center of every relationship, circumstance, and issue." And folks, that is what I'm suggesting. We cannot truly "live" without this. The very life He extends to us depends on Him being in the center of each thing. May we continue to work and practice this application. Lord, help me, I pray.
