Читать книгу The Sanctuary for Lent 2019 (Pkg of 10) - Juan Huertas - Страница 5

“But when you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place.”

—Matthew 6:6a

Prayer is the primary practice of life in God. Prayer is conversation, connection, and growing intimacy. Prayer is both an individual and a communal action. Prayer sustains, connects, and transforms.

As pastor I often field questions about prayer. It seems like most of us struggle with sustaining a life of prayer. We are busy, we do not know what to say, we get easily distracted or maybe find ourselves too tired to stay awake. You are not alone. It is a constant struggle for most followers of Jesus. It is a struggle for me.

I grew up in a family that prayed. My father would read a psalm and pray with us before going to school every morning. My mother would read us a devotional and pray with us in the evenings. I also have vivid memories of seeing and hearing my parents pray. They prayed in very different ways, my father quietly on his chair, and my mother out loud while walking around. I am sure that if I asked them they too would say that they struggle with praying.

Today remind yourself that prayer is relationship, that God is always there to hear and always there to speak. Today remind yourself to take at least five minutes of your day and find that “closet” where you can connect with God. Five minutes of breathing and the prayer found here. Prayer is not magic; it is relationship, and as we get to know God better, we become more like Jesus. So deep breaths, five minutes a day, a time to hear God and to become the one that God has made you to be!

Breath Prayer:

Speak, O Lord, . . . I am listening.