As part of my goals for this year, one item that has appeared as it has for years past is the simple goal of "Pray more".
On the whole, I do not feel that I am very good at praying. Some of it is simple discipline of course; like so many others, when given an opportunity to be lazy, I will take it. And some of it is boredom as well: my prayers, while not precisely being rote, certainly tend to cover the same people, processes, and situations.
I would argue that there is benefit in longer prayer times, even as there is benefit in longer times of doing most activities: by doing them longer, you gain practice and thus ability. At the same time, sitting there in silence with the metaphysical equivalent of "Hold, Please" does not really move the needle either.
So, I have started praying for all of you.
If I have a name - via blogs to the right or in the comments - I will use that. If you fall into the category of "Anonymous", I will cover you with a sort of all purpose "and others". If I know of something specific you have referenced in your blogs or in your comments, I will pray for that. If not, I will again cover it with the sort of "all purpose" request. And for those who may not otherwise comment or be listed but I do read, I will pray for you as well.
I hope, especially if you are not a believer or not a religious person, you will not take it amiss that I do so. But in some way, you are now embedded in my life and if in no other way (quite often true, it being the InterWeb and all and all of us being in different places), this may be the only way for me to offer something in return for your time and attention.
As always, the e-mail address on the right works so if there is something specific I can pray about, I am happy to do that (everything remains private, of course). And I am happy to just pray as I have indicated above.
Either way, thank you for the opportunity to improve my prayer life by simply being in my life.
TB, this is wonderful! I also pray daily, but mine are more of a "walk and talk" while I'm out with the dogs in the morning. Our beliefs are different, I pray to the Universe, but I think that the power of prayer has really enhanced my life. I pray for my friends every day too! Nice way to "pray" it forward!! ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you Rain! Perhaps with all of us praying, we will have things covered!
DeleteI do find it has helped me expand my pray list in a very specific way I have been unable to do before.
Thank you for the prayers. Just the mention, promotes and encourages others.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Abigail. Actually, I should thank my readers for helping me to actually find a way to make progress in this.
DeleteThis reminds me of a line in a movie.... "Be Excellent to each other." Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI remember that line STxAR. We need to practice it more. And you are more than welcome.
DeleteI always appreciate being prayed for, so perhaps I should comment more often so you don't forget about me. ;)
ReplyDeleteAs for praying more...I reminded one of my children this morning that prayer can be as simple as just talking to God. It doesn't have to be formal or in a set time or place. I also reminded her that when worries try to take over, turn them into a conversation with God. Voila! It's prayer!
Kelly, I think we all appreciate being prayed for! And I have the rather bad habit of always thinking it needs to be a formal thing - your approach is much better.
DeleteI have the Catholic habit of saying a quick Hail Mary when ever a prayer is requested or merited. I like that one is short so it never seems like a burden.
ReplyDeleteFair Ed. The Orthodox faith also has some easy to say ones as well.
DeleteBless you, you are doing God's work. Vx
ReplyDeleteAh Shucks Vera, you are going to make me blush. I hope I am contributing in some way, if only to rouse my own prayer life.
DeleteI feel incredibly blessed after reading this post! I love the idea of praying it forward. I think you're starting a new trend.
ReplyDeleteThank you Leigh, and I certainly hope so. We could use a good trend on the InterWeb for once.
DeleteThank you loads for your prayers, TB. God knows our needs and to know you are interceding to Him on my behalf means a great deal. Did you happen to see the movie about Fred Rogers ("A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood")? One of the most moving scenes was the one showing Mr. Rogers (played by Tom Hanks) praying on his knees for people by name. This is what I thought of when I read your post. Again, thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Bob. It is was we supposed to do, and I am a bit ashamed I do not do it as I should.
DeleteI have not seen the movie, but know Mr. Rogers from my own childhood. Not a bad model to follow.
Amen!
ReplyDeleteThanks John. Who knows; I may end up being one of those "social influencer" Things yet.
DeleteThis is wonderful. I am pretty undisciplined at regular prayer, but fairly often I pray quick prayers for blogging buddies as I read their posts and I can see there is an obvious need, but I don't let them know often enough. I often pray, for example, when an ambulance or fire truck whizzes by - figuring someone is in need. Hoping all of these prayers are in the spirit of "praying without ceasing". Reading this post makes me happier than ever that I've left some comments here. I am touched. As another commenter wrote, I feel blessed. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your example. As always, thank you for being so real.
ReplyDeleteBecki - Thank you so much. I have done the same as you - spot prayers as I read about a need, but I am also bad about letting them know, or even doing it regularly. "Praying without ceasing" - that is the verse I should have used!
DeleteYou are very welcome. Thank you for the comment about being real - if I try for anything in my writing, it is honesty.