A Praying Heart - May 26, 2019
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Two weeks ago we celebrated Mother’s Day. It was a delightful day at our church when all the mothers were called forward and recognized. There was a video done showing different mothers sharing their experiences on how they deal with holding their family together. Imagine all the tasks that our mothers do and be recognized for it. A day would not suffice to sum it all up.
One out of the million things I’ve always seen my mother do that stood out the best for me and will forever be etched in my heart is how fervently she prayed for me and my brother. I hate waking up early. But at times when I did when I was a kid, I’ve always seen my mother on her knees sobbing and praying. What my brother and I are today is only because of the way she prayed for us every day. My mom took almost anything to everything in prayer, from details as minute as thanksgiving to little things God provides us every day even to our biggest spiritual battles.
I remember the time I got my parents a dog. As our dog was growing up we recognized that her back legs were very close to each other and she wasn’t able to walk properly. We took her to the vet and the doctor took a look at her and said it cannot be remedied and she has to grow up that way. We came home and my mom decided she would start praying for our dog. To be very honest, I laughed to myself that my mom wanted to do so. I was like, “God cares about people, not dogs!” Time went by and I kid you not but my dog started to walk straight again and her legs got back to a normal position. I was blown away!
When I look back now I always think about the way my mother prayed. She took almost every single detail of whatever was happening in her life or our lives in prayer. When praying for my life I wanted someone in my life who has that specific character of my mom – being fervent in prayer and always having my back. In my quiet time one day when I was praying, the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart saying, “You want someone who would pray for you but why don’t you be that someone for yourself and for others.” And this changed my perspective over things. I recognized that God was pursuing me to hone my lifestyle of prayer, a gift that my mother so naturally possessed.
God calls each and every one of us to pursue a lifestyle of prayer. A lifestyle of prayer builds a deep relationship with the Father. Philippians 4:6 and 7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” You and I have an amazing privilege of taking almost anything and everything to God. He does not shy away from anything you have to share with Him. He longs to hear us talk to Him.
--Doug Bennyson