An Invitation to Prayer

Redefining what it means to be in His presence

I’m currently sitting in the throes of newborn life with multiple other kids—late night feedings, early morning rising, homeschool struggles, dinner to make, a full-time ministry to keep up with, a toddler who throws her food at anyone in close proximity, and not enough coffee to go around. Life is full and often overwhelming in this season. I don’t get as much sleep, time to myself, time to write, or time to be alone with God. Sure, I would love the daily rhythms of what my life held just a couple of months ago—with candles lit in the early morning as I sat quietly on the couch writing, praying, and enjoying the sunrise coming through my farmhouse windows. I know those days will come again, but for now—that is not my reality.

How do we live a life of prayer when we are pulled by so many other needs?

Photo by Ümit Bulut on Unsplash

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For most of my life I have always put prayer in a box. My definition of prayer was that there had to be a certain time, way, and words said for me to “feel good enough” about categorizing what I verbalized as a prayer. I often felt that my prayers were lacking in many ways.

My prayers never felt long enough.

I never knew the fancy, theological words to say.

I forgot to pray for certain people.

I’d forget to pray for my own needs, or my own needs dominated what I prayed for.

I felt like I asked for too much, or didn’t ask enough.

I’d felt praying while doing something else was disrespectful.

I thought my prayers had to be productive and efficient.

I often felt like I didn’t say the “right” thing to get God’s attention in order to receive an answer to my prayer.

If I was struggling, I thought my prayers weren’t working.

Does any of this sound familiar? I know I’m not the only one who has ever viewed prayer like this. Also, if you look at my list, you can see who they revolved around—me. We often feel like we are the ones who are responsible for finding the ominous key to unlock a hidden treasure chest of gold when it comes to prayer. If only we knew all along—the treasure chest has always been open and available to us. In his book, Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer, David Benner writes:

If we are honest, most of us have to admit that prayer is often more of an obligation than something arising spontaneously from desire . . . the core of the misunderstanding lies in thinking of prayer as something that we do. Understood more correctly, prayer is what God does in us. Our part has much more to do with consent than initiative.

My prayers were so focused on my own actions, I lost the sacredness of being in the presence of God.

In the past several years, as I continue to learn how to be more like Jesus, I’ve been invited into such a deeper understanding and experience of prayer. A life of prayer is so much bigger and more beautiful than we’ll ever know on this earth, but, in God’s goodness, He invites us to commune with Him in every part of our day. You see, dear reader, prayer is not something to learn and master—it is our life.

Prayer is a sacred space between us and God within the ebb and flow of life. It’s the air we breathe. It’s tears we sob. It’s the laughter that brings belly aches. It’s the loving gaze of God adoring us. It’s us staring back into the goodness of God. Prayer is weaved into the fabric of our daily life.

Yes, there are many different forms of prayer and deep theological meanings and importances behind them all. However, we so often overcomplicate prayer and put it in a box. Where is God inviting you to step out of the box you’ve placed Him in and experience prayer in a new way today?

If we believe that God is in all, then all of life is an opportunity to be prayer.

In the quiet flickering reminder of His presence in a candle’s flame.

In the worship song you sing through tears while driving to work.

In the silence of a friend’s presence in the midst of grief.

As you gaze in awe at the intricacies of a baby’s face.

As you meditate on scripture and hold it close to your heart throughout the day.

In celebration of a loved one’s birthday.

In a wordless sigh of exhaustion—letting the Spirit intercede for you¹.

As you savor the delicious food of a family dinner.

As you cry out through tears and beg God for provision.

In saying a quick “Thank You” when He surprises you.

In one of my favorite children’s book there’s a line that reads, “That how you live life, will to God, be a prayer”². We don’t need to complicate living life to God in prayer—we just live. By simply living and breathing, we are praying. We go about our day holding Him close to our hearts, knowing that He is holding us close too. We remember that we are His beloved children, and nothing we do will make Him love us any more or any less.

Just as we live a life of prayer with God, He is also joyfully praying prayers over us.

May we be reminded that living life, is an active prayer.

May we be invited to be surprised by the way we experience and notice God’s presence all around us.

May we be kind to ourselves when our misconceptions cloud the knowing of whose we are.

May we be reminded that prayer is always inviting us, surrounding us, and in us.

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1. Romans 8:26-27

2. When I Pray for You