There was a time, back when I was involved with teaching women’s Bible studies, that we spent an entire year studying prayer. I read a variety of books on the topic. Discussed prayer with my co-leaders. And, of course, I spent a lot of time applying what I was learning — which means I spent a lot of time praying.
Of all the things we learned, the most life changing for me was the concept of listening to God during my prayer time. I stopped talking, talking, talking — asking, asking, asking — and I started listening. I learned to quiet my mind, my heart, and to wait on God because I wanted to hear if he had anything to say to me.
One of my favorite Scriptures is 1 Peter 3:12 that says God’s ears are open to our prayers. But during that year devoted to prayer, I learned the importance of listening for God’s voice … and yes, it was, as Philip Yancey says, a new way of ‘keeping company with God.’
Do I still ask God for things? Yes. Can I fall back into a shopping list mentality when it comes to prayer? Yes. But that year was a change point for me — where my relationship with God became less about giving and taking (Him giving and me taking) and more about listening and waiting.
In Your Words: What are your thoughts on prayer? Have they changed over the years? How? Recently I found the 31 Ways to Pray for Your Kids App by Bob Hostetler. It’s a great prayer tool!
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Comments 7
I spend a lot more time thanking God in my prayers than I used to. And yes, over the years as we grow closer to God, our prayer life does change.
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Pat: Yes, our prayer time can change as the years pass — if we are attentive and teachable. I learn from others, too, as they share about their relationship with God.
Beautifully said and I love the way you live this and it filters effectively through your writing. I know your work will only get better and as well-known as it deserves.
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Dee: You are one of the people who has taught me about prayer. Thank you for praying for me and with me.
Pprayer is to sustain the relationship between us and God. Relationships that are generally one-sided often are shallow or do not last long. Listening to God as the main focus of prayer is a way to deepen our relationship with Him. Thank you for this reminder.
The only really formal prayers I compose are for Barbara – I send her one by email each morning as she is going to work.
For myself, there’s no list. I just talk to The Big Fella, and He sometimes replies. The last time I did try a petitionary prayer, on my knees, hands raised, I heard a quiet but very distinct – and irritated – voice in my ear: “OH, for Pete’s sake, cut that s*** out.”
So I just talk to Him, like I’d talk to a friend. Or, for that matter, a dog.
I would love to hear more about what you learned on prayer during that year of study. I am reading Fervent by Priscilla Shirer and am finding another aspect that I have ignored; writing my requests, using Scripture, and being fervent in my requests.
Thank you for your thoughts. I always enjoy them.
PS
I went to buy your book Catch a Falling Star and it isn’t priced at $3.99 but $15.99. Thought you might like to know. It was at that price on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.