For many years, I struggled with my prayer life. Yes, I'd go through the action of prayer, but more often than not, I'd find myself feeling a bit "all over the place." As a result, my reluctance to pray grew heavier, and prayer became less of a joyful communing with God and more of a task to be completed on my "Debbie Do-Gooder" Christian to-do list. By nature, I'm a bit of a perfectionist and the quintessential "box checker" so, I'm sure you can imagine how frustrated I'd walk away from my prayer time because I honestly felt lost in my approach. While I believe that God heard and honored many of those prayers, I also think that God had a plan to cultivate a more meaningful prayer life that would bolster my spiritual growth and leave me wanting to pray more each day.
Fast forward to a few years later when I picked up Praying the Bible by Donald S. Whitney. Hands down, this is one of my most favorite and highly recommended books. I'll never forget reading this book for the first time. In a nutshell, the author outlines how to pray through a specific passage of Scripture (in most cases, a psalm, but other texts can also be applicable). I don't want to give away all the details, but the wisdom shared on each page wholly transformed and reshaped my approach to prayer. Whitney does a superb job of providing solid spiritual and theological depth for building one's prayer life. Still, he also offers some of the best practical applications that I've ever experienced.
If I am completely honest, praying lately has been a struggle. I'm sure many of us would agree that 2020 was a year for the books (and we're still not done yet). The circumstances of life have brought about much disappointment and angst for many of us. Even as I type, I am mentally wrestling with making several tough decisions over the next weeks. It’s hard to find the words to speak, much less pray. But thankfully, we don’t have to struggle in finding those words. Why? Because God's Word is more than sufficient in speaking directly to all that each of us is feeling at this present moment.
Dear sisters, I encourage you to run to God's Word and pray those truths aloud. Right now, you may be overwhelmed, seeking clarity, or just in need of peace. Well, might I remind you that God has all of that and more? Lay hold to those beautiful truths found all throughout his Word. Allow God to posture your heart and frame your thoughts. There is simply no one better to guide us through our prayers than God himself.
Today, will you join me in praying Psalm 23? May the truth of God's Word saturate our minds, reshape our hearts, and comfort us in knowing that God hears our prayers and will answer accordingly.
Father, thank you for being such a good shepherd. In the midst of all that is going on in the world, you continue to meet our needs. Thank you for providing for my family, friends, and sisters and brothers in Christ. As we continue to face unprecedented times, Lord, we thank you that you are with us; that you lead us on your path of righteousness and through the darkest moments of our life. We praise you that we don't have to fear anything that is happening around us because you are with us always. Father, you are a timeless comforter who never leaves or forsakes us. Your provision for us never runs dry, and we can trust that our cups will always run over in you. Lord, we are eternally grateful for the constant goodness and love that you show to your children, and we are exceedingly joyful that we will dwell with you forever. To you, oh God, we offer our sincerest thanks, praise, and honor. Amen.
Grace and peace,
Portia