Monday Musings – Be Diligent in Prayer
“Have you noticed that
you always have plenty of time for the things that you love, but there's never
enough time for the things that you don't? Some people dread, avoid or find
little joy in prayer because they spend their time worriedly digging into their
troubles, rather than focusing on the Lord.
It is so much harder to
be diligent in prayer if prayer is more a matter of discipline than desire. Turn
your thoughts heavenward, look up to Jesus who walked on water. Keep from
peering down into the stormy seas. The more you gaze at Him, the more prayer
will be a joy.
I
have excerpted the words above from a reflection on Diligence in Prayer
contained in Mary’s Mantle – Consecration Prayer Journal by Christine
Watkins - a book I highly recommend and one which has provided me with much
fruit for mediation.
Let
me share my journal response to Christine’s reflection in hopes that something
she or I have written will stir your soul:
I
do set aside time every morning and evening to pray, to meditate and to think
of You Lord. The problem with my prayer life revolves around aridity, routineness,
inattentiveness and distractedness. Prayer is often the first thing that I discard
when my normal routine is disrupted. There have been times when I have gotten
upset when something occurs that interrupts my prayer time or when someone does
not respect it or makes it difficult or impossible for me to pray. But
ultimately, it is only I who can thwart those impediments by simply being
faithful to my prayer commitment.
Lord,
your spiritual advisors over the centuries make it clear that the better form
of prayer is to not just repetitively recite the words of others (though that
has much value) but to use one's own words, to talk to You, heart to heart and,
most importantly, to let You speak to me. This, of course, requires me to
remain silent so I can hear You.
I
admit Lord that I use the words of others too often. I acknowledge Lord that
many times I just read the words without much reflection, recollection or
understanding. While that is better than no prayer, You have so much more to
offer me.
I
thank you Lord for the exercises in Christine Watkins’ journal because they
have helped me to focus on You with greater attention. I thank you Lord for the
insight You have given me; now I must allow all that to take root in my heart,
mind and soul- all for Your glory.
Please
Lord, sanctify the time I spend in prayer. Remove the routineness and
distractedness that is sometimes a part of my prayer time. Let me not gloss
over a single word, since each one is a gift from You and is intended to take
root in my life and to blossom.
Whenever
the evil one manifests itself (especially while I am attempting to pray) “turn
my thought heavenward”, make me “look up to You, Jesus, and keep me from
peering down into the stormy sea.”
Lord,
please bridge the huge gap that exists between what I profess to believe and
how I actually live my life. NEVER, LORD, NEVER I PLEA, may I abandon my prayer
life, no matter how dry and unproductive it may seem to be. Give me “the grace
to focus more on You during my prayer time than digging into my troubles”.
Your
words, O Lord, are alive as are the words you have placed on the lips of Your saints.
Bring these Words to life when I pray, read and ponder them. Make my prayer
time fruitful and joyful and a source of comfort to You. For this I pray.
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