Have you ever felt your ability to pray is lacking? Maybe you forget the details now that your brain is a bit foggy. But God knows. Fiona Burrows shares her thoughts.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Colossians 4:2)
Over the last year or so, the changes in my cognitive ability have begun to affect what I remember and also how hard it is to concentrate on what I’m thinking or saying. It’s been frustrating and difficult and has even led to some embarrassing situations where I don’t remember what I’ve been told about someone.
One of the other things I’ve noticed is that I’m finding it harder to pray. I’ve begun finding other ways to remember what I want to be praying about, to make sure I don’t let people down when I’ve said “I’ll pray” –because I really do want to be praying for them.
Physical mobility, pain, energy resources–all these things can have a bearing on what we can still do for God. But I’m often reminded that “we can always pray,”–without leaving our homes, without the help of anyone else.
So to feel that I’m struggling to pray has been a huge thing for me.
But, I’m encouraged by the following:
- God isn’t confused by our prayers–when we might be confused;
- God knows the details, whether we do, or not;
- When we don’t know how to pray about a situation, we can just pray for God’s will;
- God is not bound by time–He knew we would pray, even if we got the timing wrong;
- God doesn’t even care if we fall asleep, or get distracted, in the middle of praying.
I think that what matters is that we pray. Sometimes we might pray as we type an email to someone; or write a card to post; or just as we have someone, or some circumstance come to mind. It might be just a passing thought, or a long crying out to God on someone’s behalf. Whatever form it takes–God knows–and He always understands.
Recently, I came across this quote that reminded me that prayer is not just asking God for a list of things we want, it’s keeping in touch.
“Dear God, whether all my prayers are short or long, they are a way of keeping me connected to Your love.” -Linda Neukrug
So maybe I don’t have to be so bothered by my struggles to have my prayers be what I think they should be. What it is–keeping me connected to God’s love–is what matters.
Prayer: Father, I may forget, confuse, or feel I mess up my prayers, but thank You that You know what I meant to pray, You understand. Thank You that prayer draws me closer to You, whatever form it takes. Amen.
About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful for the difference God makes in her life, and the lessons He is teaching her, as she lives with chronic back pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, and photography, and to travel if she is able. You can contact her in the Sunroom, or read more of her writing on her blog there.
Does your illness make it hard for you to pray? Has that worried you? What do you do to help?
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