I don't know, maybe I'm a bit strange in prayer compared to others.
Sometimes my prayers are desperate, other times they are said when I'm
half asleep. Admittedly, I can do the gimme gimme type of prayer as well.
At times they can be nonsensical, still at times I just can't get my brain together
to pray coherently.
But that's ok, the Holy Spirit knows what we mean.
Whatever type it is, God seems to hear and answers.
Even this week I was praying half asleep for a good nights rest for me and my aunt,
she has been up a lot at night since she came out of hospital and shouting me up with
her. It's hard to think clearly when you are getting up 3-4 times a night. Last two night
since praying, things have been much better.
I don't think the words we use or how long we pray for, matters.
I think the key is to approach God with child like trust, knowing that the Heavenly Father
listens and delights in His children. Knowing that we can run to Him etc.
I once had a dream of me and Jesus walking along a road, I was a child in the dream
sometimes running ahead, sometimes walking hand in hand. The overall thought was
of being a friend of God.
Children don't analyse or over think things, they don't plan ahead they just act.
Just thinking about this I got a thought of a young child laughing and running towards
her grand father giggling with delight, the grandfather leans forward with open arms.
Then there is the parable of the prodigal son where the father was watching and waiting
for the son.
God is not distant or remote, we no longer have to approach an angry mountain. We don't
have to spiritually beat ourselves up or approach Him with wringing hands.
I use to think that when praying I had to run through a prayer model in my head.
Ya know the kind, Adoration, thanksgiving, Praise, Repentance, Supplication, Thanksgiving etc.
I have to say that when you are in the middle of a crisis, that prayer model goes right out
of the window! When a car hits the side of your house or when the doctor says your relative
wont let the night, the last thing on your mind is to stop and think about the right way and
wrong way to approach God. You just pray!
God in His great mercy hears.
Prayer does not have to start with dear heavenly father and end with amen.
It can also be singing hymns, praise, telling God about your day, asking what He thinks.
It doesn't just have to be in church or during your quiet time, it can be on the bus or train,
while going to the shops, while watching the news. It can be any time.
The best most sincere prayers are those without structure or formality. It's when you are just
being you, and you are just chatting to God.
It took me a long time to figure this out after a life time of being told by others how I
should pray.
