Rocks in Action. 

Good Morning, Friends~

“Rocks in a Jar” – a different kind of lesson was intended to get us thinking about the priorities we set for ourselves.  Many no doubt thought, ‘yeah, I want to love God better—with my heart, soul, mind and strength, but how do I go about that kind of sold-out living?’  Truthfully, I could give you a lot of sophisticated methodology, but really the answer is quite simple . . . ……..   ‘ready?  ………………..      learn to pray.   

Prayer is a personal subject for many. It is not difficult, but setting aside time to pray—to really focus on God--will be a struggle for most of us until we draw our last breath.  So many of us purpose to make time daily, but it isn’t really a priority, or we would make it happen. (maybe we need a prayer rock)

Sometimes, folks just aren’t sure how to start their prayers, or how to keep from saying the same things over and over – may I suggest praying Scripture?  Take a look at David’s words in Psalm 5:

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.

Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God.

For to You I will pray. my voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;

In the morning I will direct it to You, and will look up. verses 1 - 3

I notice several things from David's prayer ~ He went to God in the morning at the start of his day. . . I personally think morning prayer is vital to who I am throughout the day. David knew that God was his strength, which is why he said, ‘my King and my God’!

More Americans will pray this week than will exercise, drive a car, have sex, or go to work, according to Gallup polls. Nine in ten pray regularly, and yet most would say they aren't really satisfied with their prayer life. hmmm. . . Why do you suppose that is? Some are not sure their prayers are being heard--maybe they aren't praying the right way or for the right things...and they also wonder, 'is anyone really listening?’ Others think that prayer should be a conversation with God, and yet they never hear God say anything. Still others see their friends' prayers answered, but can't remember answered prayer themselves. Then there is the whole matter of not getting distracted while praying alone . . . well really, I guess there are some things at issue here, aren't there?

"Prayer is an expression of who we are . . . We are a living incompleteness. We are a gap, an emptiness that calls for fulfillment," Thomas Merton said.  I think Merton was right. In order to be complete, we need to be filled up with God, and that comes primarily through connectedness with God through communicating with Him. How many prayers have gone unanswered in your life because you never prayed them? Our Lord's brother said, 'We do not have, because we do not ask' James 4.3.

Here’s the thing:  Prayer connects us with God, it moves the hand of God, and prayer changes us.  It increases our faith, and helps us become who God wants us to be . . . but 'you know what? In order for it to be effective, it requires more than just one-liners throughout our day . . . it requires some 'set apart' time, when God is our sole focus (AND our soul focus), not just something we fit in with whatever we are doing. Prayer reminds me that He is God, and I am not. Why not set aside five minutes to pray to start your day tomorrow--alone with your Father?  Come on . . . it will change your world.

Yeah, this is how we put those rocks, that are our priorities into motion . . . come on, pray.

Christine