I’m terrible at prayer.
Actually, it’s the discipline of prayer—setting aside time, focusing and making it a priority—at that, I am terrible.
I talk to God all the time as I come and go in my day-to-day life—from ramblings in the car to inner dialogues as I ride the elevator at work. I am talking to God each day, but as for quality time—it’s skimpy.
And life is hard.
This week a dear friend of mine unexpectedly lost his mom. Another precious friend has lost both parents within the month. My roommate had an unexpected surgery and another friend has been unable to walk for six weeks due to the most epic broken foot I’ve ever seen.
The struggle is real, y’all. And it’s happening around us in ways seen and unseen.
When I make time to pray, when I really focus and set aside distractions, I find that I like to pray.
I like the process of remembering who God is, recalling what I know is true about His character, recounting the things He’s done. I am not shy to remind Him of the times He’s proven faithful—He is, after all, the God of Abraham, Isaac ,and Jacob. He is a God capable of miracle upon miracle, more powerful than all.
As I recount to God who He is and remember the things He’s done, as I say the Scripture back to Him, I remember again that these things I’m saying to Him are indeed true. He is able to meet my needs and exceed my feeble expectations.
Why has my prayer life been “terrible”? Maybe because I lost sight of the power of prayer.
This weekend I heard Priscilla Shirer teach via the simulcast of Priscilla Shirer Live. Her timely message reset my mind regarding prayer. She said: “Prayer is the resource that God gives you. When we spend time alone with God, we tap into not only who God is and what He wants to say to us, but all the spiritual resources He has available to us. When we are not praying we do not have access to the heavenly places where our resources are.”
GULP.
I fight more battles on my own (or in my own strength) than necessary. Somehow, in the day-to-day, I misplaced the value of prayer. I lost track of the limitless resources offered to me through prayer.
The simulcast is still available to be watched online through digital pass, if you’d like to hear more from Priscilla about prayer. If you need encouragement, if you need a reminder, if you need a reality check—watch the Priscilla Shirer Live Simulcast via Digital Pass.
Amy Jacobs is a marketing specialist for adult ministry of Lifeway. In her spare time, she blogs at Gather and Build.
