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Caring Enough to Pray

Without really talking about it, I've done my first ever series on my blog. I know it all seems to be quite aimless and drifting with a few cute stories of children and my long-standing insignificance. I guess it is that.

However, if I had to choose something to create a series around first, I'm glad it was prayer. I didn't actually choose it. It all started because of some ideas I had about Pharaoh. Then it got me thinking some more. I revealed those thoughts here, here and here.

The reason I like it being about prayer is that I am not an expert on prayer. I don't know if anyone actually can be an expert on prayer, but if there is an expert, it's not me. In fact, most of my lessons about prayer come from actually feeling guilty that I don't pray enough. I don't keep my insignificant role in view nearly enough. If I did, I would pray more.

If I wasn't so focused on my own needs, I would be praying more. It's simple, really. I focus on myself. I arrogantly assume that I can control most aspects of my life. Voila, nothing to pray for. Thanks, God, but you can focus double attention on some needy tribe in South America today.

What I need is eyes like God. I need to see the needs of people around the world. I need to hear the cries as if they were coming from my own children. I need to feel their need and make it my own. Because when I have a need you better believe God is going to hear about it.

Compassion. Come on, people are suffering. We should be begging God for answers that don't take generations to see. We should be intervening with the Divine on behalf of those who have no voice, no hope, no help and no alternative.

Even with all these thoughts, I will still wonder if I'm doing it right. Like I said, I am not an expert. But at the very least, I need to care enough to pray.
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Comments

Jeremy Smith said…
I love this article. At the same time, a model of prayer that is consistent and intentional is amazing. Thanks for a good-reminder on this subject and being transparent.
March 19, 2011 at 5:37 PM
The_Rick_Nier said…
Thank you, Jeremy, for stopping by my blog. The next step for me is living it out.
March 22, 2011 at 10:38 AM
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