Praying From The Heart Honoring God

 

As I was praying last night, I stopped. I was naming all my grandchildren by name with special requests for each as I usually do. Is this a repetition? I questioned if I was praying from the heart or repetition. This isn't how I want to pray. As Paul told the church in his letter to the Ephesians 6:18, "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." Was my prayer a habit? Actually, I think I fell asleep considering my prayers.

One thing that came to mind is one of my pet peeves - repeating "Lord, I pray for .... and Lord, I pray for .... Believe me, I know a lady whose prayers start with Lord, I pray for and every request is headed with "Lord, I pray for..." Honestly, I have caught myself doing the same. You know, we have that list in front of us. Does God hear that prayer and does He answer those prayers? Yes, if it is sincerely from the heart. We all pray in our own styles. God knows us and hears us.

A few days ago, a dear cousin shared with me that she didn't feel God anymore when she prayed. She had surgery a month ago and has been in and out of the hospital in the last thirty days. She feels weak and tired. She said that she knows God is with her, but she doesn't feel His presence. She wondered if God even hears her prayers. I assured her God was near, just believe. As I considered our conversation, my thoughts went to David as Saul was seeking to kill him. He wrote about his despair in the Psalms. David wrote in Psalms 69:16, "Hear me, O Lord." Then, in verse 18, David calls out to God, "Draw near to my soul, and redeem me." God was present for David, and God is always near to us. We may not always feel it but be assured that He is.

Then, as I considered my prayer and how I pray, I asked myself do I just pray petitions. When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, the prayer begins with honoring God before asking Him to cover our needs, forgiveness of sins, and protection from evil. Before anything else, God should be lifted up and praised. Why? Because I love Him. When we love someone, they have a special place in our hearts. Yes, God has a special place in my heart, because without God, where would I be? 

As I woke up this morning, my prayer was a time of praising and honoring God. Looking back at how God carried me through an illness in my pre-teen years. When the doctor's words gave no hope, my parents placed all hope and faith in God. I made it through those tough times. When my mother had heart failure, it wasn't just a miracle that she was able to get an appointment with Dr. Denton Cooley for heart surgery, it was God opening the way for our family to have her for twenty-one more years. The experience placed a hold on my education as I was needed at home, and during those six months I matured and became more independent. What were the chances of having a classmate in my night class who was the Human Resource Officer at a local business. Through him, I was able to get a job and continue night classes. Also, it was where I met my husband. God placed us where we were needed. In every stage of our marriage God was there. As I considered all my blessings, I praised God. What an uplifting feeling to just Honor and Praise God!

Starting today, I hope to start purposely honoring and praising God in my prayers. Hopefully, it will become a habit. Yes, I will continue to pray for all thirteen of my grandchildren by name, my children with my children-in-love, and all those special people in my life. As David wrote in Psalms 103:1-4

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgives all thine iniquities; who heals all thy diseases; Who redeems thy life rom destruction; who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies.”