Livin’ on a Prayer

Anyone ever feel like they are just livin’ on a prayer, no, is it just me? Ha! Maybe it is. But there is no other place I would rather be. I’m the product of a fervent prayer life (thank you mommas). My children are the results of prayers. My life is sustained by prayer. I think maybe we have this misconception of what prayer is. Like I said we can often think of prayers as our wish for God to grant, but that’s not it at all. 

Talking about strength, prayer is communication, it’s relationship building, it’s soul strengthening, character building. It’s a vulnerable state of honesty. It’s the two way radio between you and your Creator. I think about it and we all know in a life or death situation we all are going to cry out for mercy, we all are going to cry out for help. When we meet the end of our rope we look for something to give us answers, to save us.

Something I practice as a parent is I let my children struggle. If you had to put me in a box, I’m a hands off parent (but not like that). I’m not a helicopter mom. I stand back and patiently watch and wait. My hope is that my children will learn to problem solve, be confident and independent, but I stay close enough that when they ask for help I’m there. I remind them I’m there and that when they are ready they can always ask for help. My proudest moments come from when they accomplish it themselves, but what I have realized is that I give them the confidence to accomplish it. I am their source of encouragement. Just like Jesus is my source of strength. And I have started to remind them that even if I’m not here, they always have Jesus to turn to. That they can place their trust in Him because I’m going to fail them and one day I won’t be here. Or they may be in a situation where I’m not there to help them. In light of recent of events I find it even more important to teach them this life skill.

I began this post on Wednesday morning, February 14th, I think how ironic, or maybe not. That afternoon I turned the radio on and the first thing I heard was the news of the shooting in Florida. I had just picked Zoë up from school. My heart broke. And immediately I thought to pray. To pray for the families who’s lives had been shattered. I know that feeling all to well and never in a million years would I want anyone to experience that pain. And I thought how that is always America’s knee jerk reaction to tragedies. As it should be. But then it got me thinking about the nay sayers. That there are people out there that believe prayer doesn’t work. But maybe what doesn’t work is our understanding of prayer and it’s purpose. What if the purpose of prayer is to open our hearts to what God has to say? What if it causes us to still our mind and our hearts so that God can listen to our hurt? What if it’s an opportunity for the broken to be mended, the joys to be celebrated, the thankfulness and gratefulness to overflow for who HE is. Prayer isn’t about us. Of course God cares, but if we are only seeking God in prayer to serve ourself then we missed the point all together.

God is the creator of the Universe. He created all of the emotions that we experience that make up our day to day lives as well as the ones we feel in tragedy. He experienced them as well, thank you Jesus. What makes prayer so vital to our human existence is to remind us who we are and who HE is. We can’t possibly comprehend what the bigger picture is, but we do, God is preparing a world for His return. So until then we will experience sorrow, pain and hurt. He beckons us to come to Him in prayer for everything. Not just when bad things happen. Sometimes I think it’s harder to cry out, because then we have to admit we need someone besides ourselves, but cry out is what we need to do. Along my journey I have learned that prayers are always answered. I know this was my stumbling block long ago. How could God save my mom when I was 5, but let her die when I was 21. He’s God of miracles, why didn’t He answer our prayers the way I wanted him to? See that genie complex! God answered my prayers for His glory, not mine. He healed my mom! There is no hurt heaven can’t heal. She has a new body, one that works and doesn’t tire. She has a healed heart, that will never fail her. I believe she was restored. See prayer isn’t a means to end, but on going pursuit for the heart of God. How do you get to know someone if you aren’t willing to talk to or listen to them, you don’t. Prayer requires an open heart, one willing to give and receive. Ooh that’s a tough one. Many of us are willing to give, but not receive and others of us just want to receive and don’t want to commit to giving anything in return. Yikes, but we all have learned that communication is a two way street. Relationships are about give and take. If either of those things becomes one sided the system breaks down.

All this to say that prayer is just the beginning, it’s the most important step. Everything has to start somewhere. When we bow our heads and humble our hearts it allows us to respond. And lastly I want Zoe and Grey to know they can go boldly and confidently knowing that they always have their Heavenly Father to call on in times of trouble. They are never alone to face this world. That’s my peace as a mother. They are taken care of even if I’m not there to protect them. They will not die in fear, but in confidence and love.