“So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. – Luke 11:9
How’s your prayer life?
I’ve been asked that question many times in my life, even before taking on the role as pastor, and I never quite know how to answer. During this time of quarantine, I’d have to say my prayer life has changed a little. I find myself praying for healing of the nations, ending of the virus, and for all to stay safe and well. I pray for each of you. Especially when I’m walking through the sanctuary. I think about where you sit, and long to see you there in the future.
Maybe you’ve been asked about your prayer life before. Especially, in this time of isolation, I wonder how it has impacted your prayers, like that they have mine.
Honestly, the best part about prayer is that we are staying connected with God. The importance of prayer in life, is that it keeps us connected to the source of our salvation.
At one point in my life, just before entering seminary, I decided in lent that my Lenten discipline would be to pray without ceasing. I wasn’t sure what that would really entail, but my thought was that I would spend my waking hours mindful of God.
During this season I was working full time at a pharmacy, and it just so happened that the season of Lent had aligned itself with Flu season that year. It was a very hectic time, but I was mindful to pray. I gave thanks to God for the busyness, I prayed for the medications that we dispensed, I offered prayers for the people I met, I didn’t tell anyone I was praying for them, I just chose in my mind, and in my heart to pray.
It was an interesting experience, I had known that God is with me, much longer than just that season, I had known God’s presence in my life, but this was a different connection, a different kind of freedom, it was an awareness that God was aware of me.
What a wonderful thing to know, that when we ask, we shall be heard. We have to understand that sometimes the answer is “no,” and that’s a whole other issue. Yet, God the Father of us all, in Christ Jesus, and in the power of the Holy Spirit is with us, and will hear us as we pray.
I hope your prayers draw you closer to the redeeming and sustainer, today, and always.
Grace & Peace,
Sam