The Secret of Praying

Speaking in the vernacular, Biblical words can be expressed as an attitude of praying without ceasing, in all you do, and I do; especially since my stroke in August of 1999.
(Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)

We know how much praying has been tossed about, too often as an afterthought. Almost like saying to friends, “Have a good day,” as our eyes cast about for the latest sight to view on the street, WITHOUT any contact with the person in front of you. Such statements can come across as meaningless, and that action not realized by the person who gave the pronouncement. When you pray, do it sincerely and with purpose.

As I sat for hours after coming home from the hospital, I reviewed how things had changed because of my stroke. Two week earlier I bragged to friends how much I was capable of doing in the outdoors---canoeing without breaking a sweat, nor huffing and puffing after long hours on the trail. I was in great shape.

Now here I was feeling sorry for the change of affairs, unable to walk across the floor without pain nor get a glass of water and hold the container without dropping it. I could not even speak except for gibberish. I knew what I was saying; no one else did. Under the umbrella of this scenario, I prayed for a miracle to overcome my limitation, and to restore myself to the way it was. This went on for days, until my tongue got weary.

A few days later as I prepared myself for another ritual of requesting favours for myself, a voice whispered in my ear. I knew it was the Holy Spirit. “Get outside yourself, begin to pray for others.” From then on, my daily Journal recorded how quickly my health began to improve. (In 2 Corinthians 1:8-11, Paul writes of the extreme pressures that can be handled only through the prayers of others).

© 2011 Richard L. Provencher
Website: www.wsprog.com/rp/