12Â During that time, Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night long.
Reflection
As Joe said on Sunday, there are many times cited in the Bible when Jesus goes away to pray by himself. I’m sure you have heard of people going on retreats to pray, meditate or to be silent. Maybe you know someone who has a prayer corner in their home. I will admit – I am not the person who could stay up all night or be in a prayer corner – I am like the disciples in Gethsemane – I would fall asleep.
I did have the blessing of going to Gethsemane and was so taken by that place that I was left behind when my group decided they were done before our allotted time was up. Luckily, someone realized I wasn’t in my seat on the bus and came back to get me before they moved to the next spot.
It is also good for me that I spend a lot of time driving so I have a lot of time to spend in prayer. Again, I have to admit that I have a hard time focusing sometimes – squirrel! I will spend quiet time in my car and when I take my dog for a walk to see if I can see/hear/feel a message that I need. Those times do need to be carved out of the day though. Like I said, it is easy for me because they are naturally part of many of my days.
I’m also sure you know prayer warriors – those people who just stop what they are doing and say a prayer with you when you are chatting with them or you see them in church or at the grocery store – and you know when they say they are praying – they are praying. It’s not just a one and done – they are praying for you until and even after your issue has been resolved!
I learned as a kid in Sunday School to pray for things throughout the day – a first responder with a siren drives past, and I pray for the situation and all those who might be involved. I heard a story on the news, and I pray for those people involved. Maybe I see someone who crosses my path that just looks like they need a prayer – maybe they are crossing the street and are walking with an assistive device or something of that nature. If someone texts with a prayer request, I have started to send a prayer back via text. I do tend to tell my families that I work with that I will pray if someone is sick or if a kiddo is going for surgery. I know that sometimes makes people uncomfortable and I will say, I know that may not be what you do, but it is what I do.
If I see an amazing site in nature – the other day I saw some amazing cloud formations and some beautiful giant rhododendrons – I try to remember to thank God. Am I perfect with these things? Of course not, but those are little ways I try to incorporate prayer into my whole day so that I am in contact with the Lord as much as I can during my day. Those little prayers are a great touchstone for me because like I said, my attention is not always great. I think the key is just being aware of those times during the day when you can take a few minutes and just sit with God, and whatever that looks like for you is time very well spent!
by Janet Waryck
For Pondering and Prayer
What are some ways that make it easier for you to be in contact with God more throughout the day?
What would you like to try to make it easier and more consistent?
It’s not always about what requests we or others might have, because as Joe said, God already knows, but sometimes that feels like we are doing something to help someone, and it’s a good place to start.
Remembering to be thankful for little and big things is also a really good way to commune with God. Some people use a prayer journal or make a space to sit with God. Others will go on retreats. It doesn’t matter what we do, it matters that we all do something to spend more time communicating with the triune Lord.Â
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the many ways you allow us to come to you in thanksgiving, in need, or in exhaustion. We don’t always realize that we just have to think or say just one word to feel our hearts come closer to yours. Help us to never forget to turn to you. Amen.
