If you’ve followed this blog for very long, you may have read previous posts where I’ve talked about some of my favorite books on prayer (A Praying Life and Praying God’s Word for Your Husband). You also may have picked up on my love of the Psalms.

So you can imagine how delighted I was when a recent challenge from 40 Ways to Grow Closer to God involved praying a Psalm.

I love the idea of praying God’s Word back to Him. There’s something powerful about repeating inspired words back to our Holy God. I can’t help but believe that it makes Him smile.

If praying God’s Word is a new concept for you, I think Psalms is a perfect place to start. In most cases, the psalms are prayers that were sung. And some of them are so very personal, you almost don’t need to change the words.

I’ll give you an example from a familiar Psalm….Psalm 23. If you wanted to pray Psalm 23, you might say something like this.

Get the idea?

Now, the above example assumes that you are in a pretty good place when you start your prayer. But we all know…well…here’s another version.

Father, I know you are my shepherd, but there are so many things we need right now. Please provide. I am so tired, Lord. If I have another day like yesterday, I won’t make it past breakfast. Please lead me to places of rest. A few green pastures and quiet streams would be such a blessing after the roller coaster ride I’ve been on lately. My soul is wrung out. I cannot fix it on my own. Abba, you’re the only one who can restore my soul. Right now, I don’t know what to do, or where to turn. Please lead me. Show me the right path, not so I can boast, but so you will be glorified.

See the difference?

Regardless of whether you’re relaxing by a cool stream in a soft, grassy field, or fighting for each step through a dark valley, try praying a few Psalms today. You might even consider getting really bold and journaling your version.

We’re not going for literary genius here! There’s not a right or wrong way to do this. When you first start praying God’s Word, it’s okay to “cut & paste” – just pray the words exactly as you read them. Over time, you’ll naturally get more creative with the method.

The idea is to communicate with God. Prayer isn’t talking (or shouting) at Him. It’s opening ourselves up to what He wants to do. It’s being still long enough to hear His soft voice. It’s paying attention long enough to notice when He responds.

When you do, would you mind coming back here and sharing your experience with all of us? You could share the Psalm, or you could share why you chose it, the actual words you prayed, or how God has answered.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit! (That’s from Philippians 4:23)

The post Do you Cut & Paste your prayers? Maybe you should… appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.

Prayer is not my specialty.

I believe in it.

I’m a big fan of it.

At least, I think I am.

The harsh reality is that while I have good intentions, my follow through leaves a little, something, a lot to be desired.

I find myself wondering if it really makes any difference? If God is sovereign (and He is) and He’s in control (and He is) then what exactly is the point of spending hours in prayer? Or minutes?

If you’ve ever asked the same questions (or would have if you weren’t afraid of being struck down for your heresy) then please read on.

This summer, I read A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World by Paul E. Miller and it is reshaping the way I think about prayer—the why, the how, the where, and the results or lack thereof.

Paul Miller asks the same kinds of questions I’ve asked. He has some great answers. And they might not be what you’re expecting.

This isn’t a book about how you need to get your act together, develop some self-discipline, wear holes in the carpet and rub callouses on your knees.

In fact, Miller argues that instead of trying to get it together, we need to come to God as we are. To “come messy” and see what God does with our mess. As he puts it, “We look at the inadequacy of our praying and give up, thinking something is wrong with us. God looks at the adequacy of his Son and delights in our sloppy, meandering prayers.”

He tackles tough questions about prayer using examples from his family and personal life and then he gives practical, real-world examples of what a praying life looks like in our frenzied society.

Whether your prayer life is robust, scattered, or on life-support, A Praying Life will open your eyes afresh to the wonder, the mystery, the gift, the joy of prayer.

Prayer is hard.

But prayer is worth the effort.

“Regardless of how or when you pray, if you give God the space, he will touch your soul. God knows you are exhausted, but at the same time he longs to be part of your life. A feast awaits.” (A Praying Life, page 51)

This book has been in my “being read” stack for a couple of years. (I started it. Just never finished it.) I wish I’d read it sooner. If you’ve read it, or choose to read it in the months ahead, please let me know. I’d love to hear from you.

The post Thoughtful Thursdays ~ Book Review: A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.