Am I Praying as Much as I Should?
“Hold Hand. Mama, Pray.”
“Wait! Dada, Pray.”
“I want GaGa, Pray!”
Prayer has been the newest fascination of Cecil Ray this year, and rightfully so. As the year kicked off we decided to commit our January to a different church based on a prayer series they start each year with. We have had friends and colleagues speak highly about the yearly transformation this series brings them, and we wanted to see what it was all about!
I will say, so far it has inspired us to call more attention to our prayer life and spend more time praying out loud to model that for our son. & he is picking up what we are putting down.
I mostly think he loves the hand holding or group hug that happens, but either way he is fascinated. It seems like anytime there are two hands in reach he is shouting for someone to pray.
& it’s an answered prayer. Obviously we want our son to be excited about starting a relationship with God.
One of my 2025 goals was to become more comfortable in prayer. I want to let go of the preconceived rules I have given myself or the insecurities I have about praying out loud to anyone other than my husband. Turns out, our God is creative, and he is using my toddler to help me reach this goal.
BUT … Cecil’s desire to pray isn’t always convenient.
Sometimes he wants to pray multiple times in dinner just to get a prayer out of everyone at the table. Sometimes he wants to stop mid diaper or outfit change. & sometimes he says ‘pray’ when I should instead be reprimanding him for something. The kid has spunk about prayer and when the mood hits he goes for it. I can’t help but realize I should be taking notes.
My desire to pray shouldn’t revolve around convenience.
My desire to pray should revolve around putting God first.
One of the big things this January sermon series has talked about is creating a prayer first culture within our hearts and homes. Meaning we are going to God with praise first just as we are going to God with anger first. His will and His purpose needs to be at the forefront of our emotions and actions, so obviously in the big moments we need to pray first. … obvious right. I did write obvious.
So, then why am I finding my bedtime prayer to be a summary of my day based on the good I am thankful for and the bad I am worried about?
I think about Miriam, Moses sister, and how on the banks of the Red Sea she lead women in worship. She didn’t wait; why should I?
I think about David as he questions God, praises God and openly shares his emotions with God in Psalms.
I think about Job who was being tested and tempted and still found time to pray and give glory to God.
All through the Bible there are stories of the greats praying - not at the end of their day or when things settle down, but in the moment.
What God has shown me these past few weeks is that I don’t need dedicated prayer time at night… I need to dedicate myself to prayer regularly throughout my day.
As I get ready to go say a bedtime prayer with Cecil, I’m shifting my goal for 2025. I don’t want to just get comfortable praying allowed or relinquishing the structured form I had created for myself. Instead, I want to pray when I feel lead - but more importantly I pray to feel that call more often. My goal is to still grow that line of communication, but my commitment is to pray first. I will no longer be waiting for scheduled calendar time. Instead I will be pausing my calendar for all those little moments. Just like Andrew and I strive to be present with Cecil, I am striving to be present with God.
& as Cecil would shout in a time like this… AMEN!
God’s Love and Mine,
Christina
