Living on a Prayer

This was a letter that I wrote to our sons to share my thoughts when it comes to Prayer.

Dear Boys,

I was asked to attend a community of lovely mothers to routinely pray for each of you. I'm afraid that after the gathering when they asked if they were any questions – I raised my hand and then made a mess of my thoughts and peppered in the words like praying for you seemed self-serving.  I broke up this gentle gathering quicker than you can say lickety-split.

You see I’ve prayed for many miracles that didn’t happen – one being, that your sister Hannah would not die. Then, there were miracles that were granted to me, like when your brother took a full breath after his near drowning accident  (where there wasn’t adequate time to take a bended knee).  I will never understand from this side of heaven why some prayers are answered, and others are not.  

I can’t pray my way for good outcomes for your life for this gives the illusion that my desires are better then God's – putting the power in my prayers and not the loving hands that made each of you. I’m not a superhero in creation - with a glue gun, perhaps. but not with your entire life.  If I were to pray this way – it would make me feel wrong in my faith and untrusting towards the Almighty that created and loves each of you perfectly. He knows every hair on your head, every thought before you think it, every joy before you experience it, and every hope before you wish it. He knows your life in its entirety before you live it.

What I can pray for is for you to live on a prayer.  For you to develop a routine of prayer throughout your day – throughout your life.  Prayers can not guarantee you an amazing life free of sorrow or full of joy. Prayer can guarantee a relationship with an amazing God that will give you all that you need throughout life to be on purpose or to give hope or courage to face another day.

Boys, I hope when you pray that you:

- Thank God for providing food, friends and freedom.  The amazing thing about being thankful throughout the day – you become aware of more and more things to be thankful for before its bedtime.  You really do create an attitude of gratitude and you don’t become cranky when the deli’s ice cream machine is out-of-order.

- Always remember - God is not a genie, riding on a cloud in the heavenly sky – granting your wishes. Nor is He to be blamed for when your prayers are not answered.

- Pray for forgiveness – Every night recall where you missed the mark – forgive yourself with a promise to do better tomorrow.  Also, recall if someone hurt you, and forgive them.  Anger and hatred can fill up space where love should live.  Let it go and love will fill you up with joy and peace.

- Pray the Our Father with you whole heart and study His word in the bible.  Think of biblitcal stories while praying. You will see how the words in the bible come alive and can help you wherever you are in life.

- Listen in prayer – Opening your heart so that the holy spirit can help you with a problem or point you to purpose.  Always bring you problems to God first – not, your friends.  He will help you and things will begin to shift.   Doors will open - putting a person in your path to help or for you to help, a scripture in your hand, a hope in your mind, a joy in your heart or a song in your spirit.  Act on these.  This is your chance to bring a bit of heaven to earth.

Love,

Momma