If you are a regular reader of this blog, and you are a follower of Christ, I have a question for you, and I would like to humbly request that each of you answer if you are so inclined, and only to the extent that you are comfortable. If you'd rather respond to me in person, please do.
I'd really like to know something about how you learned to pray, and how you do pray. Give me as much or as little as you like. Here are some questions that are in my head that give context to your answers:
Did you come to follow Christ at an early age or a late age? Were you raised in a Christian home/church? Do you use words and sentences in your head? Do you write your prayers? Do you use fragments of thoughts? Is it easy or frustrating to pray? What kinds of things do you pray for? How do you begin? Do you follow a "format?" When do you pray? How often?
I've been thinking of these things because a.) I often feel that my prayer life is still growing and I am still often haunted by the odd guilt that says I must not be "doing it right." (I believe this guilt comes from lots of motivational speakers and "the camp syndrome.") b.) I'd like to bring up Lucy with a solid, sound understanding of how to pray. c.) I feel incredibly blessed to have so many friends who believe that Jesus is the way to reconcile us with God, and I always appreciate any chance I have to connect with you on that and learn from you.
Thanks for your answers, short or long. I look forward to what you have to say!
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4 comments:
I don't have any great insights but this is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. I tend to think of Bible study and prayer as the two "biggest" disciplines. And it seems like I am almost never going strong in both at the same time. More often I'm more focused in the Bible study part while my prayer life is lacking.
To your questions: I was raised in a Christian home and came to Christ at a young age. I do not write my prayers (mainly because of the time it would take to write out complete thoughts.) I pray in thoughts and sentences in my head. I usually find it easy to pray, so why doesn't this translate into more discipline in my prayer life? That's a good question! I think it's because I find it hard to be still and just listen... and I think that is a hugely important part of prayer. So when I'm tired or unfocused, I skimp in that area... and thus a prayer life that is lacking (in my opinion.)
I pray after doing my Bible study RIGHT after putting the girls to bed each night. I say "RIGHT" in caps because if I don't make that a "rule" then it doesn't happen. So I close Savannah's door, and go straight to my room for my quiet time. It's the only way I stay consistent. (Otherwise my computer keeps callllllling to me if I go downstairs first. =) But like I said, while I'm consistent with my study, my prayer life could really use a boost.
I did start a prayer journal a few months ago, but that's just for recording prayer requests and answers. Because I felt there were a lot of needs that I wanted to pray about... but I'd forget. And haven't we all had someone in the past say, "Hey, thanks for praying for x for me!" and we realize that we had forgotten? And that is just the NASTIEST!! =) So I record all the requests so that I remember to lift them up... and I think it will be neat to look back at the recorded answers. so far that's working for me.
But no, I don't record (in writing) the other prayers: thanksgiving, confession, praises, etc.
I LIKE to start with asking forgiveness for wrong things done that day and thank Him for different blessings before getting into the prayer requests. But I say I "like" to because that often doesn't happen. In fact, I'm glad you ask these questions - it's another reminder to redouble my efforts. =)
I don't follow a format.
One (of many) areas in which I'd like to improve is in praying prayers throughout the day. I really think that one more focused time is important, but in addition to that I think it's such a good thing to also be talking to God throughout the day. That's a habit I would like to try to form.
More than anything though, I want to become a better listener. Better at being still before God to hear His heart - and not just my flapping mouth. Cuz heaven knows I hear enough of THAT all day!
I will ramble if I don't follow your questions, so here goes...
I became a Christian when I was 9, so 20 years ago. I grew up in a Christian home, but it was like church on Sunday and be a good girl. I don't feel like I was ever taught how to really live out my faith and I still struggle with it a lot. Biola was a total culture shock to me because even though I believed the same thing as everyone else, I was totally not used to how people spoke, prayed, etc.
Right now my prayer life is pretty pathetic, see above. That's always my excuse. Add in now, kids. They are around all the time and I can't focus with them around. I'm very frustrated by that.
During periods in my life where my prayer life has been better, I was writing out my prayers in a journal. I would find a quiet place (not at home) where I was completely alone. Writing out my prayers kept me focused because I'm the kind of person whose mind will go off on a tangent and suddenly I remember, "Oh shoot, I was praying!..." I would also have quiet times when I would try to really be still and quiet before God. In high school I used to literally fall asleep praying every night, but I was praying every night! I've also gone through periods when I would do the quick little one sentence prayers throughout the day.
I've always been really, really uncomfortable with corporate prayer. One of the first times we were instructed to do that in a class, I literally told the others in my group that I'd pass and I just got blank stares and was sooo embarrassed and ashamed! I don't think it should ever be forced. I've always felt "weird" about praying before meals, too.
I feel like when I'm alone with God, He knows me so I'm not worried about what I'm saying to Him. But it's hard at the same time because He is so intangible and it's not really a 2-way conversation.
I like to open my prayer time with thanks, and confession, I suppose. Maybe part of the reason I don't pray as much as I should is because sometimes that opening is really uncomfortable and I have a hard time getting myself in a good mindset, if that makes sense. I also feel like a jerk if my prayers are all about what I want or need, which is what it often feels like.
To be honest, I'm currently avoiding prayer. And it's probably good for me to say so publicly because I'm feeling convicted to change that. I feel like God is present and watching over me, but I avoid talking to Him - like He's an elephant in the room, ya know? I really, really want my kids to be raised with a different understanding of their faith, and I'm afraid I'm failing right now.
I don't know if that really helped with what you're looking for, but it was kind of therapeutic for me to get it out...
Recently, I've found I have a good chunk of prayer time right around 2 a.m.! It's great!
My heart is definitely more tender and inclined toward prayer now that I am caring for my child. Toren reminds me of how God sees us: so vulnerable, needy and precious.
Ok, well here's my stab at it:
Did you come to follow Christ at an early age or a late age? Early. I got saved at around 6.
Were you raised in a Christian home/church? Yes
Do you use words and sentences in your head? Yes, like normal conversation - although I should stop to listen more
Do you write your prayers? Nope, I'm just not patient enough for that
Do you use fragments of thoughts? Yes, especially if I am somewhere odd and praying.
Is it easy or frustrating to pray? at times it is both for me.
What kinds of things do you pray for? Everything. I figure when the Bible says He cares about everything, He means it. So, if I think it's important enough to think about, I pray about it.
How do you begin? I always begin with "Thanks" first. It's kind of like "tithing" to me. I give him thanks as a sort of first fruit, if you will. THen I pray about the rest of whatever.
Do you follow a "format?" No, I'm just not that organized, LOL.
When do you pray? I don't really ahve a set time right now to pray. I have been working on that, but really need to be more disciplined. Not for His sake, because I don't really think it matters to Him, only that I do it. But for myself, I would like to do it.
How often? I usually try to pray on and off throughout the day as I think of things.
We pray out loud with the girs every night before bed. This is probably the most structured pray that I/we pray. We always say
thanks at the beginning, pray for good nights sleep for the girls, then we pray for relatives, we pray for our troops and our President and then we always pray for things that the girls have requested to pray about - no matter what it is. Obviously, since we've been praying for the tiny stuffed kitty who fell into the alligator pit a week ago, nothing is off limits.
I think the most important thing in imparting a prayer life to my kids is by setting the example. THey can't learn to do it if I don't. I still struggle with the "waiting" and "listening" part, but I think that is human nature. All I can do is ask for Grace and do my best.
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