What is Prayer?

There is a ritual that can begin as easily and slowly as the sun rises. It can be done in the early morning hours when the birds are singing, or it can be entered into in the late-night hours when all is quiet, and darkness is all around.

Sometimes it doesn’t require much. Just a slipping out of bed with your knees touching the floor.

Or it may be resting gently on the back of a sofa with your eyes closed listening to your own breath.

What is this intently private moment. Prayer.

Prayer seems to be entered into as an invitation from above. The invitation is not loud or intense. But it can be heard. It can start as a soft pulling at the heart that causes you to gently open your life to God telling Him all your concerns and fears.

Prayer is simple really. It’s you talking to someone Higher than you. It’s you, trusting that someone with your “stuff”. The stuff that keeps you up, the stuff that you carry all day. You entrust it to the someone that you believe can fix it all.

Just about everyone prays at some point in their lives. The need to reach out to God seems to be innate in our souls. We seem to want to empty ourselves out spiritually.

There appears to be a calling to prayer, a sort of invitation if you will of the heart of God drawing you in to His heart. There is no rush, no fear, no anxiety there. Just a simple practice of coming to Him, just as you are.

Prayer is as old as the world is. Probably the universe. The power of this ancient ritual of prayer is unmatched with anything on this earth. I think that is why people trust in it so.

How can you enter this practice? Does your heart feel drawn to this place of sacredness? Let me show you how. There are many ways but no perfect way. So, you don’t need to worry that you are getting it wrong. There is no wrong.

First, as the day is beginning open your heart to the quietness around you. Try not to have a lot of movement in your body or your mind. Relax in the stillness of the moment before you speak. Listen for your own words to come.

Second, don’t overthink what you want to say. God already knows. Trust that He will receive your words. Then begin to speak your heart to Him. Tell Him what your worries are, fears, joys, and dreams.

Take your time and pray for others. Tell God about the needs of your family, friends, and acquaintances.

Pray for the sick, hurting, and people that don’t know Him.

Lastly, thank Him for hearing you. Thank Him for being your Father and loving you and inviting you to His place of intimacy with Him.  Then…

Wait. Wait in that still place where you started and wait to hear what He has to say. Wait for His instruction, guidance, and wisdom. Let His words sneak up on you like the calling to this sacred time did.

His response to you will come and it will not disappoint. The time you spend on our knees or at the sofa will be the most precious time of your day. You will empty out and He will fill you back up.

When this easy ritual that started as slowly as the sun rises is over, rest assured it will come again like another sunrise.

Come to this practice friend and be amazed at the beauty and awe of prayer. Accept your invitation to His sacred place. Give Him your heart, your words and your cares and your love. Leave them there on the floor where your knees were. Bury them deep in the sofa cushion where you sat quietly.

But, come to your invitation called prayer.