THE "HABIT" OF PRAYER

Hello Bloggers,
Prayer Hmmm. I guess prayer is the single most important part of my life. I say that with all earnest. Because to me prayer is the connection that I have with the one that is in control of all my life; I really believe that. So if I were to start a day without prayer, to me it would be like taking a walk across a six lane freeway without even looking either way. You would be quite fortunate if that day turned out well. Although I believe God in His mercy does look out for those that are less inclined to consult with Him. Otherwise the world would be utter chaos.

But I believe that I have been called to a higher level of communication with God, not to “look down on those” who are not; but to “look out for them”. To each his own, one has this gift another has that. We have to work out “our own” salvation and some are called to help others in the process. Prayer is one of those tools given for such a work.

So I pray; I pray for everyone everywhere all over the world; I pray for all kinds of things that I don’t even understand but God does; and of course my immediate family and concerns. But sometimes I pray very BIG PRAYERS that even scared me at the first. Then I thought; “who do you think you are anyway”? But verses in the bible kept coming to me about how we should pray for the salvation of all men and for those with authority over us.

1Ti 2:1-4 MKJV First of all, then, I exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, (2) for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, (4) who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Well this thought just kept expanding until it became “global!". Then I thought again “really, who do you think you are’? Then God reminded me of the things He has said in His word about these things and seemed to be saying to me; “do you not think I meant it when I said to pray for all men, and all in authority, to speak to MOUNTAINS and they would move, to believe what you pray for, to pray for my will to be done, is not my will to bring salvation, reconciliation, restoration, and Peace to the WORLD?” So I said OK God but I don’t know why you would ask a peon like me to do such an awesome thing. He didn’t seem to like that last statement much, so I have some issues I am still working on; don’t we all.

Anyway this has developed into my writing down some of my prayers as you all have already read. I do this partly because I am such an analytical thinker and it really bugs me if I think I did not say something “just right”. A tendency which the Lord showed me would not work the first time I stepped into the pulpit. But one I still have not gotten over; so I write things down and then I rewrite them and then I rewrite them; OK I think you got it. Also this habit of writing down prayers is I think partly hereditary. My Mother, Father, and Grandmother all had a habit of writing down prayers. I remember finding little pieces of paper around the house when I was growing up that had little short prayers written on them my Mother had written.

All this praying started about 20 years ago when I was reading in the gospels how that Jesus went out early in the morning before daylight and before the others were up and began His day with prayer. I thought if the Son of God needed to start His day with prayer; how much more do I? It was then that I realized that I really only prayed when I thought I needed something or when it was “appropriate” you know at church or something. I was embarrassed and ashamed to say the least.

So I made a commitment to not begin a day without prayer even if it was for only five minuets, even if it made me later that I would like to leave the house. Then God really blessed me in those times and made me aware of another part of His calling. I have kept that commitment by the grace of God all these years, even is some very pressing circumstances at times. But I have been blessed, I have heard the voice of God, and have been instructed by the Spirit; what greater privilege could there be? That five minuet commitment has developed over the years into my getting up extra early every morning, sometimes as much as two hours early to meet with God sit before Him Pour my heart out, pray “BIG PRAYERS” and listen to His reply. What an awesome wonderful blessing and privilege to meet with my creator and the creator/master or the universe every morning!

I hear Cat Stevens in the back of my mind singing “morning has broken” I had better go, no telling what is coming next and I have been rather long winded this morning. You know God has always got something up his sleeve that he doesn’t let us in on till it can really freak us out. He is just like that, shows His interesting, fun-loving, sense of humor side.

Charis, Eirene, Agape,
Rev. Dennis D. Caldwell

P.S.

Sometimes Prayer is better with a friend;

leave a post or email me and I will pray for/with you.