The other day, during a Bible study I’m currently in, the issue of not staying focused during prayer came up. One of the ladies in the group, answered this question in a way that really hit home for me.
Not sure why, cause I’ve heard this answer before. Only this time it seemed to sink in a bit better. Maybe because of the way she worded it? Or it was the right time for me to hear it?
Either ways, the answer is pretty straight forward.
It’s to “simply” to get into His presence before even starting the prayer. The creator and maker of all of us and the earth and the universe and… Everything. And He creates with a word (ever try to speak even a piece of paper into existence?…).
I kinda knew the answer beforehand. But now that I think about it – why…..?
How come I’m not in His presence at all times?
If I have the opportunity, then why wouldn’t I want to walk every single step in His presence?
Personally have a couple of answers to this question. Easily distracted anyone?…
But one of the answers that showed up when I asked, stuck out to me.
I’m so attached to the “old man” that letting go, fully and truly letting go? Well, not only is this a scary thought, but let’s be honest. Takes a bit of doing.
Changing my paths.
I’ve been in my current track for, well, quite a while. And just like Ninka always says, even dysfunctional is familiar and therefore “safe.” Hey, horses will run into a barn on fire for that very same reason – it’s “safe.”
But I have the opportunity to turn this pattern around, to choose another path.
I confess that quite a few of my thoughts (okay, overwhelmingly many…) goes to fear of this fallen world and its current state – of which I can do very little. I get absorbed into, lets go with, non-mainstream news on what’s happening and…it ain’t pretty.
Nor peaceful.
But also to….gossip. Who can I blame? And how wicked & unjust people are toward ME.
Other drivers on the road. Other dog owners & handlers. “Why do they walk with their dog so close to me and my dog?? Don’t they get it?”
Well, if I’m being honest. This is a “me” problem. I’m the one who need to drive more mindfully. I’m the one who haven’t trained my dog good enough to walk close to other dogs without getting goofy (work in progress though….). In short, I’m the one at fault.
Yes, of course, some people are plainly rude. And there are day when I do get dealt a bad hand. Or maybe I just can’t yet see the bigger picture?
But have I already forgotten?
Walk in His presence.
Him who loves me.
Him who cares so much about me.
Him who is so patient, forgiving, and kind.
Elohim,
He who promised to provide and He who promised He will be with me always.
See, when I change my pathways and train my thoughts to be more kind and patient, my whole existence becomes more peaceful and loving.
Note to self:
- Treat others as I would want them to treat me – ie with a whole lot of patience.
- Love my neighbor as myself.
As I change, does the world become less scary? Aggressive? Less fallen?
Not really.
Yet I can walk in peace because I remember His presence. And that matters to those around me, because then I’m kinder and more loving.
In other words, this tiny teeny specific part of the world does become little bit less scary and more loving.
And do I fall off track at times?
Repeatedly.
It’s all work in progress… 😉
At the end of the day, how I pray is how I do life.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)