Prayer, for many of us, is a challenge. Have you ever tried to hold group discussion of people’s prayer lives? But, and it’s a big but, prayer should be a special occasion in which we revel not shy away. We are talking directly to God. We are sharing our hopes, fears and asking for forgiveness. Wow, wow and wow, as the hymn writer Joseph Scriven penned, ‘what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.’ In more modern parlance – go for it.
And yet, many of us shy away from talking about prayer. Perhaps, we think that others will judge the amount of time we spend talking to God? Perhaps we consider this area of our lives too personal to discuss. Well, perhaps, perhaps, perhaps…
Hang on a minute, aren’t we missing something here? Have I forgotten to mention a key component of prayer? Well, yes I have. We also need to listen. Our prayer life should be balanced. So, whilst it’s fulfilling to praise our Lord and bring our prayer requests before God, we also need to listen to what God is saying to us. Are we that brave? Do we trust God enough to accept and act on the words of wisdom that may come to us? Can we be like Samuel and say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’ (1 Sam 3:10 AMPC) If so, then we can be filled with joy.
Do you know someone who has met a famous person, particularly a hero of theirs? If so, you will have witnessed their animated excitement and the sheer joy of meeting their hero. They may also say, ‘my hero said this, shared that and I will definitely do what they recommended.’ Well, how much more should we be excited and animated when we meet with God in prayer and listen to what our Lord says.
So, right now, or as soon as possible, stop what you are doing and listen to God, in prayer. You may find your thoughts drifting onto other things but don’t worry, that happens, just bring your mind back into focus. Some of you may find it helpful to say the following prayer which is taken from a hymn by Emily Mary Crawford - Whatever it takes, just listen to God and feel joy filling your soul.
Prayer Speak, Lord, in the stillness while I wait on thee; hushed my heart to listen in expectancy. For the words Thou speakest, they are life indeed; living bread from heaven, now my spirit feed! Speak thy servant heareth! Be not silent, Lord; waits my soul upon Thee, for the quickening word! Amen.