By Micaela Alcaino
Prayer. Such a big topic for christians, but something many of us neglect at times. I think because this week is sadly our last week at one80 i want to give you a new perspective on prayer. So let me ask you a few questions:
How often do you pray?
How long do you pray for?
What do you pray about?
Do you give your best part of your day to pray?
Do you even pray at all?
Like a tree we are torn between two worlds, apart of us want to be rooted in the soil, another part reaching for the sky. But because our roots can grasp the soil more securely than our leaves can grasp the sky, the soil becomes more real. It’s something we can see and hold, but a leaf can’t hold the sky.
What we don’t realise is that the sky is soaked into our leaves, taken into its cell. If the tree is deprived of all the sky has to offer it will not get enough carbon dioxide and will wither and put more pressure on the roots to provide nourishment.
In the same way if we shut ourselves off from God, shielded from the sunshine, we will seek significance elsewhere, sending out its roots in search of the right job, friends, school, groups, thinking if it gets enough money, power, status, “experience” it will satisfy its longing for significance.
Truth be told, I know so well how that feels like . Only a few weeks ago I managed to slip into my depression and hit a mega low on my self esteem, which resulted in my crying all weekend. What led to this? it was because i allowed myself to be “too busy” to pray and filled my God time with things i thought kept me rooted in the ground, instead it was feeding me wrong perspectives of myself and my outlook on the world.
After that I had to spend a good time devouring his word and in prayer to get me out of thinking negatively and it took a lot more energy and hard work to get out of it than it was to slip into it.
Its so easy to become “too busy.” But i stress to you, that in your holidays, where routine is thrown out the window and one80 isn’t happening on fridays, make time to talk to God. We have 24 hours in a day, and I’m sure you can take 10 mins from your outing, and from your movie and from your friends company to make room for God. Make it your God endeavour to look for him, listen for his voice, wait on him.
Each day you are given a finite amount of time and you could go on without involving God, but i tell you, that means facing the day in your own strength and not his, and can lead to exhaustion and stress, or just an idle state.
So I encourage you, there is no wrong way of spending time with God, but give him the best of your day these coming holidays. Think of creative ways of praying. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- -Journal your prayers: This is my usual way of talking to God. Go to kooring and by a journal and begin to write your prayers to God.
- -Take a prayer walk: hike in a cores and praise God for his beautiful creation. Walk around your neighborhood and pray for the family in each home you pass. Or take a “prayer walk” on the sidewalk around your school.
- -Pray over your calendar or schedule: Got a test coming up? Pray for peace of mind. Pray for meetings with your friends or the people at your work
- -Partner up in prayer: the more the merrier, gather in groups and pray for one80, summer camp, your family, friends etc.
- -Be quiet: silence means getting away from distractions like music and TV. A quiet, little-used corner at the library or park. As you listen, don’t just expect to hear a voice. But do expect God to tug at your heart, move your conscience, or help you realize something you need to do or change.
- -Keep a prayer on your lips: Dozens of thoughts pass through your mind daily. You daydream. You may think bad or gossipy thoughts. Turn those daydreams and not-so-great thoughts into prayers. Ask God to help a person hurt by gossip. Ask him to forgive you for thoughts that take your mind places it shouldn’t go. Turn daydreams and other passing thoughts into moments to recognize God’s presence in your life. As you learn to keep a prayer on your lips, you’ll come a little closer to understanding what it means to “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NIV).
