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- Apr 25, 2006
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IN THE MOOD TO PRAY?
'When you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong.' James 4:3
Maybe it's like this. You've spent months, years even, trying to pray better. Pray properly. But nothing has come of it. You feel like you're quietly banging your head against a brick wall, and wonder if all these other Christians have really got it all together when they pray. So now you feel like you don't even want to pray anymore. The desire has left you, and if you were to be honest with your church friends, you're a bit fed up of the whole thing. If you're in that place, can we ask you a question?
Would you rather have all the prayers of the faith, or simply this: the mood from which prayer naturally arises? Maybe the best thing that could happen to your prayer life would be for a great wave to come and wash it all away- the expectations, the pressures, the manners and phrases you've learned. Then, you'd be left alone with nothing but yourself, and your Father. You'd be left with who you actually are in God, and that's perfectly fine.
Please, don't feel that you need to run after prayer-techniques or personas to feel welcomed by Him. Go, the way you are today. Even in your weakness - especially, in your weakness - you are wanted.
What now? Set time aside for this, without distractions. Picture that place where you're left alone with your Father, the Great Creator. Maybe it's an empty room, or a beach. He is not distant. There is no performance needed. What is it like to just sit with Him?
written by Bob Gass
'When you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong.' James 4:3
Maybe it's like this. You've spent months, years even, trying to pray better. Pray properly. But nothing has come of it. You feel like you're quietly banging your head against a brick wall, and wonder if all these other Christians have really got it all together when they pray. So now you feel like you don't even want to pray anymore. The desire has left you, and if you were to be honest with your church friends, you're a bit fed up of the whole thing. If you're in that place, can we ask you a question?
Would you rather have all the prayers of the faith, or simply this: the mood from which prayer naturally arises? Maybe the best thing that could happen to your prayer life would be for a great wave to come and wash it all away- the expectations, the pressures, the manners and phrases you've learned. Then, you'd be left alone with nothing but yourself, and your Father. You'd be left with who you actually are in God, and that's perfectly fine.
Please, don't feel that you need to run after prayer-techniques or personas to feel welcomed by Him. Go, the way you are today. Even in your weakness - especially, in your weakness - you are wanted.
What now? Set time aside for this, without distractions. Picture that place where you're left alone with your Father, the Great Creator. Maybe it's an empty room, or a beach. He is not distant. There is no performance needed. What is it like to just sit with Him?
written by Bob Gass
