Catching Idle Butterflies

Learning how to pray

I don’t know how to pray, I mean really to pray. To disappear from everyone and everything and give all my energy into talking, or listening, to God. Nor have I ever joined a prayer circle, always thinking I have neither the energy or faith to make a positive contribution (my mind tends to think of other things).

In Disciple, we’re going through the book of Acts.

Before Pentecost, all the new believers stayed in the upper room prayed for days. When they had to choose another disciple to replace Judas, they prayed. When they needed other leaders, they again prayed.

I’m amazed I ever received an answer to prayer I had hoped for, because my prayers have always been lacking as far as the time an effort I put into them. Usually it’s a mere thought lasting less than two seconds as I’m driving to work or engaging in another mundane task when my mind has time to wander. It’s true, God hears every prayer and he knows my every thought and deed. But sometimes, I think He’d like more effort on my part.

Looking at it that way, I spend less time with God than I do with my more distant friends, or even writing in my blog.

Heck, if I gave my friends the passing attention I gave God, they wouldn’t be my friends anymore.

Just something I’m thinking about this fine Sunday evening.