Catching Idle Butterflies

Learning to pray some more

In a previous entry I described how my prayer life lacks . . . well . . . life.

Since then, I've noticed a change. Not only do I pray more, my focus of those prayers have changed. I don't pray for myself as often as I used to; in fact in the last week, I don't think I've asked for a single thing for me.

The Disciple class has helped in that area. Each week, we ask for prayers, whether they be for ourselves, each other, or loved ones. We write them in our book, so while we go through our daily lessons, we see those requests and pray.

I've always admired and even envied "Prayer Warriors." These are people who set aside blocks of time either per day or per week to do nothing but pray. Many even set up "prayer closets". It's usually a tiny room with a chair, Bible and a light. There they have no distractions.

I have found these warriors have what I can only describe as a direct line to God. They know things. Without being told, they know when a person needs a desperate prayer. And they don't hesitate to do just that.

I'm beginning to understand this. My heart has been burdened with two families who are going through tough times. The difference is they told me their problems, so there's no supernatural component to my knowledge. Yet I can't stop thinking about them and needing to pray for them. I don't have a desire to become a Prayer Warrior, nor do I think I'll ever become one.

While I don't have a prayer closet set up, I do take five or ten minutes whenever I can to pray. At the same time, I wonder how God receives my words. Many times, I say nothing, merely hoping God hears what my words cannot convey. I know God knows my heart and mind and hears what I want to say without me having to say it, but sometimes I wish I could do more, and do it better.

I read my next lesson for Disciple this morning and Romans 8:26-27 stood out to me: "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will."

This reminds me once again not to depend on my own strength, but on God's, allowing the Spirit to work through me and give me those words that otherwise elude me.