Today’s lesson is on Prayer and what it means to me. The first thing that came to mind is James Taylor’s You’ve Got a Friend.

“When you’re down and troubled and you need a helping hand. And nothing, whoa, nothing is going right. Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there. To brighten up even your darkest nights. You just call out my name, and you know wherever I am, I’ll come running”

Prayer is like that. I am not expert on prayer, but I’ve been praying more and more every day. We pray over our food. We pray for peace. We pray for victims of tragedies. We pray for good outcomes. We pray for guidance. We pray for our leaders. We pray and pray and pray. What I noticed is prayer isn’t a one-way street.

We ask God for so many things. Then get mad when he doesn’t answer. Or when our prayers don’t work. (I should say when we perceive our prayers not to work).

Prayer is a dialogue between you and God. You ask and you receive. Too often we ask but don’t listen. We aren’t open to what God is telling us.

When we ask for financial help. God isn’t going to make a pile of money appears. He may show you a class to help you learn. Or a friend may call willing to help you out.

When we ask for peace in the community. God isn’t going to come down and stop all the violence. He is opening hearts, including your own to volunteer, to talk to others, and help how you are.

We need to be engaged, curious, receptive, and willing to let God answer our prayers.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” – Ephesian 6:18

“For God does speak—now one way, now another—
    though no one perceives it.
 In a dream, in a vision of the night,
    when deep sleep falls on people
    as they slumber in their beds” – Job 33:14-15

I am no expert on prayer. I don’t think any of us are. When you pray, listen. When people ask for your prayers, they are asking for help. Pray to the Lord and he may open your heart to help them. When we are closed to hearing God, we may find that our prayers are not answered, even though they are.

#30of365 #FaithBites #FaithJourney