Prayer is such a positive, compelling part of our union with Christ. But have you noticed your prayer life has stagnated a bit? Perhaps you’re like me, and in connecting with the Father you start rambling on about that girl in accounting who annoyed you, or the fact that you were SO disappointed those boots weren’t in your size… What, is this only me?
The point is, we can get caught into the “prayer genie” trap, thinking the point of this intricate connection is a mental dump of the day and/or things we want. Try something new this year, if you dare. Something so radical and terrifying, you may be stunned at the response. Want to know more? Read on.
1. Why we Pray
We pray because we are God’s creation, and in being so we sing, rejoice and speak aloud the praises that He deserves. How else can we communicate about the abundance of lives? God has given every good and perfect thing to you, and just like a thank you note operates as a vehicle for gratefulness, so too does prayer. But there is more to it. Your life is a prayer. You don’t have to get on your knees or light a candle to be part of the great dance of interrelationship with God. That’s why this exercise is so compelling. Prayer is a relationship, and in any good relationship, you want to know if there are things you can improve. Enter the most terrifying prayer.
2. The Prayer
There are some variations on this and give it your own spin (IF YOU DARE) but essentially the prayer goes like this.
Show me where I’m failing.
Tell me what’s holding me back.
How am I missing the mark?
What am I doing wrong?
How can I improve?
You see where this is going. Asking God to reveal to you where your biggest hangups lie is probably one of the scariest things you’ll do. Why? Because it’s so countercultural. We are taught to reveal in our eccentricities and ignore “haters” who criticize us. It feels almost radical to flip the script and ask of our creator.
Where am I failing you?
Here’s the thing, He’ll respond. Be ready.
3. Interpreting the response
I say interpreting, but if you’re like me, there won’t be much guess-work involved. The truth of the matter is, whenever I say this prayer, the answer comes back in seconds, even DURING the prayer. We hold our secrets in dark places, we think only we know where they are hidden. But God has a key to our secret vault. Revealing everything to him not only takes courage, but it feels good. No secrets, not from him. How else can he help us if we continue to hold things back? Ask and you shall receive. Don’t stand on the sidelines of life wondering. If you are having trouble finding out what the response is, take some time to listen. What makes for a good listener? You guessed it, silence. Find moments to turn off everything and sit in silence. You may hear a small voice, or an image may flash into your mind. Carefully take in the messages coming to you. Remember, there are no coincidences where your life is concerned.
4. Begin work
The hardest part is getting the news about yourself. Doing something about it is easier by comparison. But be sure you are ready. There were a few times I prayed this prayer and didn’t “like” the response I got. I would tell myself I was fine. My eating was under control, nothing to worry about! When deep inside, I knew this was an area of my life I needed to call attention to. It wasn’t until getting heat exhaustion, leveled physically in a hotel room, that I knew something had to change. Don’t be as stubborn as I was! Work on accepting the answer, and begin working on a solution. Need guidance? Ask for it. Use the same techniques you used previously. Find quiet time, pray, be honest and open with your friends. Go to Barnes and Noble and read the “self-help” shelf or the “finance” section. Help may come through the most surprising quarters. God uses people to bring his healing. Take advantage of the love around you. Reach out!
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So there you have it, the most terrifying, exciting, restorative, action-oriented prayer you can make for yourself in 2020. You have all the time in the world to come into a right understanding with God. But don’t wait. Life’s too fun with him in the driver’s seat. So relax and pick some good music.
The best part is that God's plan will always be greater than our plan…He has something even better in mind than we can conceive!
So true.