Forgetting to Pray
by Jan Cox
I talk about prayer; I teach about prayer; and then I forget to pray.
Certainly it is a discipline that we can get better at – isn’t it?
I tell others to remember to pray before they start any job and then I start writing this and forget to pray.
The best communication I have with God happens when I am walking alone or driving by myself. The other day I had a wonderful conversation with God while driving to see my Mom. The peace that came over me as I drove reminded me of His presence.
Thanking Him for gentle breezes, dancing shadows of the leaves, blue skies; thanking Him for clear thoughts, good fingers to type, good eyes to see the screen; these are prayers. – being grateful. Check out Ann’s Gratitude Community.
We have discussed prayer methods, with PATH and ACTS.
Of course we also have the Holy Spirit who teaches us when and what to pray. It is those urgings in our spirits that can prompt us to pray for others.
What I want to talk about today is – Can we talk to Him all the time?
Yesterday we needed to take the boat out of the garage. It is a very tight squeeze – very very tight. My hubby is in the truck – I am the eyes checking that the boat will make it out safely. I yelled … STOP many times. Finally I remembered – PRAY – I did and then inspiration – and out the boat came.
Why couldn’t I pray first – and not when I needed help? When will I get to that point? When can I say a quick – be there through this?
Is it just a case of acknowledging that He is here all the time – is that all I need to know? Can I think, act, and live with Him right inside me?
That certainly would help when I come up against trouble, wouldn’t it? At that moment, in that time period – I would automatically reach out and whisper, “stay with me, and thanks for being here.”
My Gratitude List
- HP warrantees their printers (quite a story)
- wonderful women in my Bible study groups
- a garden roto-tiller
- a good dinner – fast quick pizza that I didn’t have to prepare
- white blossoms on our trees – they don’t last long
- nice technicians at HP
- my sister’s wonderful sense of humour
- cottonball blossoms on another tree
- rain that makes the air fresh
- hot porridge with blueberries, raisins and bran – my morning purple delight
- friends praying together
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Jan, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She also writes at A Better Way. Jan has written a children’s book in which she is also the watercolour illustrator. She hopes to publish it this year.
