Let Us Pray

Dear Surrey Two,

For our first Collective Household of the year we went back to the basics with a teaching on prayer. I'm sure we can all admit to having overlooked prayer more than once last year (and if not, major props to you). We've put off prayer out of laziness, busyness, tiredness and more. One day I stumbled across this quote on Facebook:

Despite our busy schedules we usually find time for TV, Facebook, waiting in line for coffee… and sin. So from now on, don’t say, “I don’t have time to pray.” Be honest and say, “I don’t have the love to pray.” (Matt Fradd)

What a slap in the face. The Lord was calling me out. 

Unfortunately, I can't say my prayer life was at the top of it's game last year. Sometimes my prayers were so structured that I didn't even have to think about them to say them, thus letting my mind think of other things. I'd pray by heart without heart. Other times when I did pray, I found myself laying in silence; not in the peace of His Spirit, but in the speechlessness of my mind.

Everyone has their reasons for slacking, and this was mine: I fell in love with you. Though dramatic, it's true. As a member I already loved the chapter, but upon being asked to serve it I immediately fell deeper. The Lord granted me a heart of flesh and I began to desire that you consistently feel joyful and loved with each new day. But like me, you're human. I began to see your sorrows. The hurt you expressed over social media spread like wildfire through my own veins until it finally reached my heart and hurt it too. I didn't want you to feel that way. So I began to pray for you by name. But with great love comes great sacrifice, and like most people who fall in love a little too quickly, I suddenly wasn't ready for the commitment. Surrey Two, did you know that the database says there are 148 of you? That's 148 people to love, 148 crosses to help carry, and 148 souls to care for. On top of that, there was just so much I wanted to pray for and "so little time".

Upon reflecting on that quote, I unveiled yet another scheme of the evil one. It was clear that I let the overwhelmingness get the best of me, and because of it I kept not only my prayers, but my love at bay. How could I claim to love you so much when I clearly didn't "have the love to pray" for you?

How could I even claim to love the Lord?

This lack of love, it wasn't what I wanted. And it isn't what I want. So I moved myself to pray and am continuing to do so. The sign of the cross is one of the most powerful yet simplest actions you can do. The beauty of its power is revealed to you more when you grow accustomed to doing it throughout the day.

So, dear reader, I challenge you to commit a specific time of the day to the Lord if you have not already. Let us remember to do all things in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.