It is incredible how much we say in a day…print media, broadcast media, social media…it is all focussed on one thing–what we have to say.
Do we mean what we say or are they just words?
When Caitlyn was little and learning how to say words, she picked up the phrase oh my gosh. We as a family do not say oh my G-d, to borrow a way of writing it from a friend because even typing that phrase hurts me. We believe using the name of God in this phrase goes against scripture where it says in the old testament, Exodus 20, verse 7, among others, you shall not take the Lord thy God’s name in vain. So as a weak substitute, we say oh my gosh, but in her young speech you couldn’t really hear the distinction, so we banned the phrase altogether.
Time has passed and we have let oh my gosh slip back into our speech…and as I write this, I realize we need to change that. God, my Heavenly Father, deserves more than just changing a d to a sh.
We’ve been working on this a bit anyway as Sue talks so fast it is almost impossible to hear if she is saying d or sh.
Well, that wasn’t what I meant to write about…
Anyway, in a conversation with a friend tonight, I said, “I’ve been praying about it.” And I wondered if she knows that I have been or might that sound like just words.
They aren’t just words to me. Ever. But especially not right now.
I have always loved to pray. Since I was a little girl. I believe in prayer. I know God hears us. And I know He answers according to His will. For decades, I have known the Lord has a strong desire on me to pray. But prayer is daunting. How do I start? How do I keep my mind from wandering? How do I not fall asleep? Will any of my prayers get answered?
Years ago, I read a book, Intercessory Prayer, by Dutch Sheets. * Parts of it I found outside of the teaching I have heard in the church, but none of it evil, so I reread the book recently. And then another of his, and another. Now I have branched into other authors. And actually spent time praying. I love it just as much as I have always said I do. There is a connection with God that is comforting and challenging. A desire to see if that close feeling continues if I keep praying or if it is a passing fancy. I find it to be consistently, over the years, always feeling like I am home, where I belong when I pray.
So, next time you talk to me or read me say that I am praying for you or that situation, rest assured it is true, very, very true.
*Please note I just found this website as I was writing this post. I have not studied it and including it here is not stating that I agree with his ministry 100%. As I read, I will decide that, but I thought it was worthwhile to include this link.
