Sitting a Spell

The mainstream definition of prayer is pointed toward asking God for some blessing.  It involves doing something, saying some words in the language of prayer, and asking, seeking, and knocking. (Matthew 7:7-11).  In most cases the experience of prayer is briefer than we figure it to be.  More often than not,  prayer is one dimensional.  We talk.  God listens.  Seldom does our praying include a time which is intentionally set aside for listening.  We talk about God speaking; yet, few give time for listening.    

As we read about some of the Biblical characters praying, it becomes a personal and sometimes desperate sharing with God that is full of anticipation followed by moments of encountering God's presence and power.  There is nothing timid about the prayers of those saints who walk across the pages of the book of Acts.  They were in over their heads and knew it.  The only way they could possibly make it, or see the signs and wonders they knew, was through dependence on God.  Praying for them was not so much about fulfilling a ritual as a way of living.   

Too many times we pray without their desperate spirits. We pray and hold tightly to our backup plans just in case God is not able, or willing to do what we want Him to do.  Too many times we ask with doubts about His ability to overcome the obstacles we face in the hard circumstances of our life.  Surely, the better praying comes when we pray with a faith that is expectant and confident that in all things the will of God is going to be done in our lives and in the lives of those for whom we pray.  The better times with friends comes from sitting and sharing the things of our hearts because we love them and it is no different as we enter into our times of prayer with God.  Sometimes it is best to just sit a spell in His presence and listen as one who truly has ears to hear.