If you have been reading my blog for a long time, you know that I like to pray in the early mornings when all is quiet and peaceful. That is what works for me and may not work for everyone. Some enjoy the quietness of the night after the children are all tucked in. Some like to kneel down just before climbing into bed in order to cast the day's cares on the Master or to ask forgiveness for an unconfessed sin committed during the day.
I enjoy praying in the morning because I need armour for the day. I also, first thing, need to empty myself of me and be filled with Him.
A couple of weeks ago, I was praying, and just talking to the Lord (I pace while I pray. It keeps me from falling asleep and I really just love praying this way) and I noticed something about my prayers. Even though I like to begin my prayers off with thanksgiving and Praise to God, I was having trouble really focusing on uplifting God like I geniunely wanted to. So, I prayed about it. The next morning, I felt impressed to read a Psalm before I prayed. So, I started in Psalm 1 and while it put me in a spirit of prayer, I still didn't feel as focused as I wanted to be. Last week, while driving (alone) to get groceries, I picked up my Bible from between the seats and began reading (yes, I did..I call it drivding..don't worry, I knew most of the Psalm from memory) a Psalm. I can't remember which one right now, but it was the one that says something like, "When I look at the heavens and see your handiwork and all your creation, what is man that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou visiteth him?" I began to pray with each verse I read. Lord, what IS man that you would be mindful of me? Who am I that you would visit me? Needless to say, the Lord met with me in prayer.
So, ever since, I have been opening up my prayer time with 'praying' a Psalm. Reading a verse aloud and praying about it. One of two things usually happens. I either uplift God ("I will bless the Lord") or either I feel smitten in my heart about what I just read (like today--I read about having a double heart and being our own lord over our tongues..yikes).
It has been wonderful for my prayer life. Truly wonderful. I just wanted to share it with you in case you wanted to try it. God is so faithful to speak to us and to answer our prayers so faithfully. Don't be afraid to take your prayer life to the next level!
God Bless you so much!
That's a wonderful way to start. Good job making time in the morning. I really need to be faithful to a specific time each day to pray - for me, I have more praises than needs if I don't just wait till I have a need, if you know what I mean. :)
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