What is prayer?
Our church has been focused on this question. I have a long way to go in prayer, but God is good, and as I grow, I also want to remember the blessing prayer has been in my life. I don’t want to discount what God has done just because I see how much farther I have to go.
I had a moment at our Riverview staff retreat earlier this week that helped me be grateful for God’s blessings in prayer. During a time of worship, we sang, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth living just because He lives.”
And almost immediately, I was in tears. Because that song takes me back to a moment in June 2004, when I sat at the back of a little country church, holding my one-week-old baby girl as the congregation sang this song. I especially remember their voices on the second verse: “How sweet to hold a newborn baby and feel the pride and joy he gives. But sweeter still, the calm assurance, this child can face uncertain days because He lives.” That time, too, I sat and cried, knowing the words of the song were true.
Singing it again this week, I was so thankful for all God has given me. I was so thankful for all the moments He has allowed me to sense His presence and His love. I was so thankful for prayer.
Because that’s what I was experiencing — prayer, communion with God, a time to give glory to God and to receive grace from Him.
God is good. Prayer is a gift. And I’m excited to be learning more about it with my church family.
Do you have questions about prayer? I hope you will join us at “Growing in Prayer,” a women’s mini-conference from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Register here.