Follow-up

Thank you to everyone who wrote to me about their experience with prayer! I am at a really cool place with this right now. I've spent a lot of my life feeling guilty, or like I'm "not doing it right" in so many areas of my spiritual life. What I'm trying to do is break some things down and do them in a way that fits who I am--not trying too hard to be the way a particular preacher or camp director spouted in a rally atmosphere. I recently prayed that God would help me find a time during the day that I could start a regular Bible reading. It has bounced all over the place as Lucy has changed habits in the last two years... It used to be in the early mornings when I fed Lucy (read the Bible on-line!), and then it was during bath time (she played so quietly for so long!). Now it is at the beginning of her naps. That used to be part of my dinner prep time, but I'm just praying God will help me find other times during the day when I can do the prep. So far it's been extremely rewarding.

Here are a few things I'm doing right now that are really freeing me up to make this a useful time:
* I'm using sticky notes in my Bible to just write down questions and observations to help me stay engaged in my reading. No epiphanies necessary, just write a few things. This came from a class I had in grad school that required that we write 3 questions 2 observations and 1 take-away for every reading to make sure we were using our minds as we read.

* I'm keeping stickies with prayer needs in the back. I'm not trying to dive into a particular format, except that I am trying to make sure I am praising God, thanking him, presenting my requests, and asking forgiveness. I'm trying to let this be somewhat organic, again just writing down the things that come to mind, and not trying to force anything.

* I was feeling a little frustrated knowing where to start with praising God, though again wanting to let it be organic. I pulled out my hymnal and started singing hymns! I love to sing, and there is so much good theology packed into those older hymns. What a delight!

Here are two (here and then here) really, really good articles (quick reads) that I found about prayer. I love Stand to Reason... they have a fantastic attitude about evangelism, and seem to come from a really no frills, "what is the truth" way of thinking. It's fitting me well right now.

Thanks for being on the journey with me!