Last week I read a post about seeking God in prayer in the blog Flowing Faith. Mari-Anna, the writer at that blog, shared an idea that she got from Mark Batterson’s blog about a prayer devotional for the period of Lent, until Easter: to pray on one’s knees everyday at 7:14AM (or whatever time one chooses).
Photo credit: C Jill Reed (Creative Commons)
I liked the idea so much that I decided to join in. I decided not to schedule a specific time or else I know that some days I would do it out of obligation, not out of love. I would do it in the morning, as soon as I wake up, before my devotional time (when I usually pray sitting down, before reading the Bible).
In my morning and night prayers I usually follow this sequence:
1. Praises
2. Thanks
3. Requests for other people
4. Requests for myself
When I got down on my knees on the first morning, on Ash Wednesday, I thought of a spin in that idea.
So I decided to change it a little: in the morning prayer, I wouldn’t ask for anything, just praise and thank the Lord. I would only do steps 1 and 2. I would pray for other people during other times of the day, in specific prayers. And I would try to avoid making requests for myself at all during this period.
It wouldn’t be about me, but only about Him.
The first morning I did it, it took a while for me to get it right. Every now and then, I was about to ask for something, then I would correct myself and turn it into a message of praise or thanks.
The only thing I’ve said about my needs is this: “Lord, I believe that you know all that I need, and that You will provide. Thank you for that.” Let’s say that this is my version of “give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11), without asking.
That night, I decided to do the same thing, and much for my surprise, my prayer flowed much more naturally. I remembered to thank God for so many things that I usually take for granted and don’t show my appreciation so explicitly.
In less than one week with only praises and thanks, I’ve been noticing a few changes in my prayer time.
First, my praise and thankfulness to God seems so natural now. It doesn’t seem like a preparation speech for what comes next (the requests).
Second, I became more aware of things that happen during the day that I usually don’t remember to mention in my prayers.
Third, although I don’t ask for anything, I am more confident that God will provide for whatever it is that I need. No need to make a list and send it to Him. I know that He knows, and I show my appreciation for that.
As a prayer exercise, this has been very effective. I invite you to try it too. Choose one of your praying moments of the day, and make it about God, not you. Give it a try and I am sure you will see the wonderful results that it will bring to your prayer life.
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