It wasn't until I was in my thirties before I realized that prayer can happen at any time and in any place. Out loud or in silence. With people or alone. God wants to hear our prayers. He wants me talk to him about.... everything. He's listening 24 hours a day.
This month's prompt had me asking myself if I've ever prayed before I write. The answer is, likely not even though I have sat down to write more than three times in one day. I've also felt the darkness wrap around me in the middle of the night while I sat in front of my computer and tapped out a string of sentences that described the many shattered pieces of my life. Still, I did not pray first.
But I am someone who has embraced praying - after I write. It's as if God and I are editing my story together. This is the time when I know that I'm going to read my first draft over and over and over. And then I will begin the brutal process of elimination. It's hard for me to write and simple walk away. Leave it for later. I have to figure out what I will leave in and what I will take out. That's the second draft. It's in that moment that I'm thirsting for God. I'm asking him for wisdom and courage to determine what stays and what goes.
I'm so glad that God hears my prayer no matter what time of day it is! Morning, noon or night. Before or after, I can lean on him to help me unravel the tangled story I write.
