Sunday, February 6, 2011

Dearest God,

Why is prayer all about what we want you to do for us instead of the other way around? Why do we expect so much from you and so little from ourselves? It seems we expect you to do for us what we are not willing to do for ourselves.

So often, O Lord, we ask you to change someone who is at odds with us. Our prayers assume the posture that the other person needs changing. We do not consider the work needing done within ourselves.

I learned a lesson when I started praying for a number of people who I felt had harmed me in one way or another. Over time my heart softened and so did my attitude toward them. I realized then that when we pray something happens inside us, perhaps more than those we pray for.

As I listen to my own prayers, I am convicted and convinced that I need to do more to bring about your will on earth instead of my own. I become conscious of my need to work on my own insides before I pray for someone else's work.

Help me,
O Lord,
to remember
the beginning
of the prayer
you taught us
to pray.
"Our father,
who art
in heaven,
hallowed be
thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will
be done..."

Love, Andrea