My title for this devotion is Prayer: Posture vs Attitude.
I had a different kind of weekend than I normally have, and definitely different than I had planned. An upsetting weekend. An interrupted weekend. A tearful weekend. An angry weekend. A heart-wrenching weekend. A praise-filled weekend. An encouraging weekend.
Sounds a little schizophrenic doesn’t it? At times I felt like it. See…it wasn’t all at once. Obviously. If it was you probably would be visiting me in a facility. No…it came in waves. To be more specific would be to give away confidences so I can’t do that. Just suffice it to say the weekend was one that tested my stability, my emotions, my foundation, and even my faith. But I learned this:
Tears are a language God understands.
Hopes. Fears. Disappointments. Joy. Laughter. Reality. Emotions. Highs. Lows. Good. Bad.
I learned again that like worship, prayer is 24/7. I wasn’t formally on my knees all weekend long but, I was on my knees. I didn’t have my head bowed all weekend long, but I did have my head bowed. As I read recently:
Prayerfulness is not an event; it is a way of being in relationship with God.
I preached yesterday on worship, emphasizing how worship is not categorized as a 1-2 hour block during the week, but a 24/7/365 commitment where God invades every part of my world. Prayer is to be the same way. I may have not been in prayer “formally” this weekend, but I can say I was in prayer this weekend. And there will be more.
“Father, thank you for being with me this past weekend. Through all events You were there. I sensed it. Help me to continue learning to practice Your presence in all things, even if that does not include a formal stop-and-pray action.”
“Tears are a language God understands.” Beautiful, Bill.
I could feel the gamut of emotions you went through. Thank you for sharing your vulnerable truth, Bill. My prayer for you is that The God of All Comfort will do just that for you today, Bill. And may you rest in His restorative Arms of Love. Take deep breathes as you sink into His Loving Embrace, Bill.
Heart-wrenching weekend, Bill . . .
Cling to the Father!
Sorry to have missed the post earlier, Praying that Our Father’s presence would continue to be felt…