Prayer is Prayer

 

It’s so hard, isn’t it? To pause, take a moment with yourself and Him, before throwing yourself into the demands of the day? I struggle with this…most days. But I’m working on it, and remembering the Grace that He provides us.

Sometimes…when the day has already started to wash away from me, I find myself praying over the kitchen sink while filling that cup of water or rinsing that dish. Sometimes, I’ll find myself praying over pouring the dog food in the dog dish or the lucky charms in the kid dish. Sometimes I’ll find myself praying in the midst of sentences and directions and yelling. Yes, while yelling.

I used to be hard on myself for this. But lately, I try to speak more gentle words to myself. I am not perfect. I am growing, learning, being.

And praying won’t always happen in the perfect scene, with quiet in the house, sunshine filtering through the windows, birds chirping outside. Sometimes…it may happen like this. But often, it will happen in the desperation of the moment, during the chaos of a need, during the breaking down of spirit. During the yelling and the laundry and the dishes and the meetings. During school and church and swim meets. At confirmation and baseball and dinner out. In the shower, in the garden and on a walk.

Sometimes it will be like poetry, words flowing off the tongue like water over river rocks. And sometimes short and staccato bursts, random words and incomplete sentences. The beauty you see is this…prayer is prayer. No matter where and how and which words you use. Prayer is prayer. Long or short, big words or small. Prayer is prayer. He listens regardless. It isn’t speech class or a big corporate presentation. It’s raw and real and yours. Whether on your knees or standing tall. Whether laying in bed or in a hammock. Whether walking to school or going for a run. Prayer is prayer. And it is beautiful.

And so if you find yourself not praying, because you’re not sure how or you’re waiting for the perfect moment in the perfect setting with the perfect words…grant yourself Grace. And try it anyway. Pray while getting out of bed. Not conscious enough to remember to do so at that point? Try it while you’re making your coffee. Not sure what to say? Recite the Lord’s prayer. Or make it simple. Three lines…

Heavenly Father

Wrap your loving arms around me today, filling me with love and peace.

Amen

This is where I started. I was afraid to pray. For all the reasons above. I was afraid to pray, because I didn’t know how to do it and ‘sound good’. And then I remembered…I didn’t have to be perfect. I didn’t have to know how. I just wanted to try. Because I’d be loved no matter where or when or how I prayed.

Because prayer is prayer.

And it is beautiful.