Prayer Meeting SHOCK!
It was Wednesday night and we were in groups of six to pray for those whose names had been called. Some of us prayed such cautiously-wise prayers, being careful to add "...but Thy will be done." Others prayed such deep prayers -- almost mini-sermons designed to show how well we knew the scriptures. Of course, all of us made sure we remembered the names of all the requests.
Then HE prayed. The shy young man was obviously a baby Christian, and it seemed he was taking the risk of praying out loud for the very first time. His voice trembled as he prayed not for the requests, but for himself.
He said, "Jesus, please keep us in the hard times -- those times when we want to give up. Don't let us give up, Jesus!" The raw honesty and child-like simplicity of his prayer brought me to tears, and I was ashamed of the way I have complicated my walk with You, Lord. I remembered what it was like to need You and Your strength minute-by-minute, just to survive! It was a glorious time because I had such an intimate knowledge of You that seems to have dimmed with time.
I'm embarrassed by my religious sophistication and grown-up attitudes of Christianity. Like so many others who came to You many years ago, I have been satisfied with past experience. This young man's prayer reminded me of the child who is so mother-aware that he runs to her without even thinking about it when he feels insecure. I, too, must have a Father-awareness at all times, or lose our intimacy.
Somehow, I've allowed immediate, but less-important matters of this world to creep in and dull my memory. Until tonight, I forgot how miserably I failed at living without holding onto Your nail-scarred hand. I am so grateful for the gift of this young man's prayer. It woke me up to my laziness in my own faith walk.
Forgive my independent spirit, Lord, and take me back to that time when, as a child, I first believed You. I miss You, Lord. And I miss the precious intimacy we shared.
April Lorier Perspective
Help, humor, hope and healing for the brokenhearted and hurting. "God's Battered Child: Journey From Abuse to Leader" author April Lorier assists victims of abuse in finding their way back to God's love and acceptance. Her perspective is sometimes humorous, sometimes thought-provoking, but always a helpful faith-based resource for seekers of emotional and spiritual growth.
