The Essence of Prayer

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself interceded for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. – (Romans 8:26-28, NIV)

Meanwhile, the moment we realize we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs and aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. – (Romans 8:26-28, MSG)

 

Yesterday, my pastor spoke about prayer. He reminded us that the essence of prayer is talking to God. So often we overcomplicate prayer, thinking that it requires specific rituals, routines or the “right” words. In actuality, prayer is us communing with God. It is a time of intentional slowing down to not only share our hearts with Him, but to listen as well. When we do not have the words to speak, we can rest in silence before Him, fixing our hearts on Him, and He hears what we cannot put into words. May we take time each day to commune with our Maker, as He knows and He hears our every heart cry and is faithful to be present as we travel each step of our path.

 

In strength and weakness, 

Our faithful Lord hears;

Each prayer that we pray,

Throughout all our years.

Even without words,

With our hearts to Him;

He hears and He knows,

Each need from within.

All things in our lives,

Can be used for good;

As we live for Him,

His grace understood.

So make time to pray,

With our God, commune;

You’ll find He’s faithful,

His heart to us tuned.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that prayer is not the complicated thing that we tend to make it out to be. Thank You that prayer is talking to You. Thank You that You made the way for us to commune with You directly. Forgive us for neglecting our relationship with You through lack of prayer. Teach us how to slow down, pull away and be disciplined to have intentional time conversing with You. Show us how to love well, all those whom we encounter, and to pray for all who are in need. Help us to listen too. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we come before You intentionally and spend time communing with You. Amen.

 

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power. – Daniel 2:23

Child-like Contributions

So often, the truth of God’s word comes to life through the faith of children. Kids do not overcomplicate nor overanalyze, but rather they take the truth as it is presented, and make it a part of their reality.

As I was reading in John six this morning, something new stood out to me as significant. When Jesus had asked Philip where they might buy bread for the multitude that had gathered to hear Him, it was not Philip, nor even one of the disciples who brought forth any sort of offering; instead, a boy with five small loaves and two small fish came forward and offered what he had. Jesus took the gracious gift of a child and multiplied it into enough to feed the masses, and more. The miraculous happened after the movement of one young boy, who offered what he had.

“Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, He said to the disciples, ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.” – (John 6:10-13)

I imagine that is why He asks us to have a “child-like” faith. If we simply have faith and do not doubt, we see far more of the miraculous. Our offering is not about how much we give, but rather our heart, as we bring what we have to offer. If we come and believe that He will take what we offer and transform it into something great for His purposes, then we understand the point in giving at all. When we give, our hearts gain opportunity to grow further in our faith. We often get to witness the miraculous in our lives, and the lives of others, simply because we choose to offer what we have.

May I come to You,

with faith like a child;

and give without doubt,

with a heart beguiled.

Let that which I bring,

to You, give glory;

so many may know,

how great Your story.

May Your truth be told,

through our offering;

our time, talents, gifts,

unto You we bring.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful to meet us wherever we are at, and that You readily receive that which we offer. Thank You that You can take something seemingly so small, and use it for something great in Your kingdom. Thank You that it is not up to us to determine how our offering will be used, but rather how we prepare our hearts, and choose to give in faith, trusting that You will utilize all that we offer, for good. Forgive us for holding back for fear that we have to little to offer, or for giving with doubts that anything could possibly be done with that which we bring. Thank You that You determine the value of our offering, not the world. Thank You that You see our time, our talents, and our resources as all equally valuable in touching lives and transforming communities. Teach us to trust You more, and help us to have “child-like” faith as we give of ourselves, trusting that You will do the miraculous as we are willing to move. May many come to know the greatest gift that has ever been given this Christmas, as they come to know the true reason for the season. Help us to love like You, so that You are seen in us. Be glorified in our giving of gifts this sacred season. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.