Get into the Habit - by Janis Cox

Am I a pray-er? Really?

I talk about it, read about it, and even write about it at Under the Cover of Prayer. But, the truth is I know I could do better.

In my morning time devotionals I try to start with a prayer list. I am on the online prayer team for The Word Guild and at the top of that weekly printed list I write the names of personal friends and family who need specific prayers that week. And then I do pray each morning.

Oswald Chambers on August 23rd says that, “Prayer is an effort of will.”

And I have an inkling of what he means. I need to take time – to put myself away from everything. Oswald calls what we need to shut away “mind wanderings”. And he says to “get into the habit of dealing with God about everything.”

There have been times I have worked hard at this. I will admit it is in times of stress, decision-making or illness. It is then that I pour out my heart to God.

Can I do this more often? Even when things are going well?

The other day I decided to try to listen to God on my drive to Orillia to visit my Mom. For over an hour I would ask a question, then, other than watching the road, the cars and the forests, I listened for an answer. An amazing thing happened. Ideas started to flow. I wished I had brought a tape recorder (I certainly couldn’t write down all that He was saying to me and drive).

Now I need to do this type of prayer at home – in the quiet – “shut thy door. A secret silence mean to shut the door deliberately on emotions and remember God.” Also I think that means to shut out our ideas, thoughts, and to-do’s.

I am going to try this – this week. Will you join me?

And maybe as Oswald says: “Every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God.”