That's not to say I am an expert at prayer, far from it. My prayers are short, often disjointed. They sometimes feel forced and completely unnatural. But I pray.
I pray because I believe God loves us and wants only good for us. I pray because He has given us free will and we manage to abuse it. I pray because we are so far from perfect. I pray because I need to share my joy when I am happy and my hurt in times of pain. I pray because I believe God works in me and I need to open myself listen to him.
So why am I telling you all this?
Well, last night Ryan came downstairs to ask me something and found me sitting on the floor with my head bowed and hands clasped together.
"I'll be with you in a minute," I told him. "I'm praying right now."
"Why are you praying?" he asked.
I looked up at my sweet son, took a breath and answered, "I'm praying because it's been a really awful week in our country. Another black man was shot and killed by police officers. A 13 year old boy was killed by police officers here in our very own city. This morning an 11 year old boy was hit by a car while walking to school and he died. Tonight a toddler - only 2 or 3 years old - drowned in a pool near where I work. I don't know any of these people, but I'm praying for their families because I know they are hurting. I am praying that God wraps His arms around their families and helps them through this horrible time. I am praying that they feel His love in the middle of their sadness. I am praying that, over time, they will feel peace."
Ryan walked over to me and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Those are good things to pray for," he said. "I pray that too."
There was more I was praying about as Ryan walked back up the stairs. I prayed that God would give me the strength and courage to do more than pray, but to act as well. It's been an awful time in our country recently and I pray be part of a change for good.
Well, last night Ryan came downstairs to ask me something and found me sitting on the floor with my head bowed and hands clasped together.
"I'll be with you in a minute," I told him. "I'm praying right now."
"Why are you praying?" he asked.
I looked up at my sweet son, took a breath and answered, "I'm praying because it's been a really awful week in our country. Another black man was shot and killed by police officers. A 13 year old boy was killed by police officers here in our very own city. This morning an 11 year old boy was hit by a car while walking to school and he died. Tonight a toddler - only 2 or 3 years old - drowned in a pool near where I work. I don't know any of these people, but I'm praying for their families because I know they are hurting. I am praying that God wraps His arms around their families and helps them through this horrible time. I am praying that they feel His love in the middle of their sadness. I am praying that, over time, they will feel peace."
Ryan walked over to me and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Those are good things to pray for," he said. "I pray that too."
There was more I was praying about as Ryan walked back up the stairs. I prayed that God would give me the strength and courage to do more than pray, but to act as well. It's been an awful time in our country recently and I pray be part of a change for good.
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