On Prayer, and Stupidity :)

8/11/2002

“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know…Since prayer is at the bottom of all of Life, what I want mostly is for you to pray…” (1Tim)

As I look back on my life, I realize more of it than I’d like has been affected by an underlying “fear” of “neglect” of prayer. Not “prayerless” of course, but just less commitment to it than Appropriate. Why? Laziness? Oh, who knows—maybe some of that too. But MAINLY, I’ve discovered in reflection in the Spirit, because of certain things I prayed for with “great faith” and “great energy”—and “God failed me.” Sounds bad, doesn’t it?

Well, it has taken me a long time to recognize it myself. Reading the above verses makes me realize “I should pray BECAUSE GOD WANTS ME TO!” no matter the perceived RESULTS. Who knows how Father has molded, directed, prepared, and protected me by NOT answering “my” so-called “prayers” on topics of “my” choice. Who do I think *I* am?! Instead of thinking Father was “failing” me, so “why pray” (never an intentional thought, of course—but Revealed later to me, and true)—I should “PRAY BECAUSE FATHER WANTS ME TO!” and TRUST His answers to ALWAYS be the RIGHT answers, no matter how I “feel” about it… and KEEP ON PRAYING, because it’s Dad’s Desire. How do I know? “It is Written.” That’s enough to know. : ) “Godliness, with contentment, is great gain.”

—m 10:36 p.m.