We each have a unique prayer life but when you consider what it means to devote yourself to prayer, what does that look like? Laura shares.
“Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2).
I was running a HopeKeeper’s meeting and one member responded to what I said with “You sound like you know God and talk with Him.”
“I do talk to Him,” I said, “and so can you.”
I talk to God when I wake up and thank Him for another day. I talk to Him when I say standard prayers I have known for 40-plus years. I talk to Him when I take inventory of the day just lived, thanking Him and asking for guidance. And, of course, I talk with Him while asking, sometimes pleading, for assistance.
And the remarkable thing is pre-2010 I did not have this relationship with our Savior. Sure, I went to church on Sundays and prayed, mostly before meals or when crises hit. Actual conversations, however, were rare.
In late 2010, early 2011, I developed a different relationship, a deeper one, with God.
First, I was angry with Him for causing my illness–which I now know is a ridiculous accusation. I slowly quieted myself and calmed down and discovered the most amazing fact–God did not cause any of this, and He has supported me throughout.
If I would just slow down, sit and listen I could hear Him. And this fact is comforting.
A dear friend once told me of how she calls on God during stressful medical situations. She visualizes God holding her in His arms; as a father would hold his child. What an amazing idea to ponder the next time you face a medical scare. God has us all in His arms, even when we have no idea of this.
We must persevere and try to live our best life; the life that God would want for us.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to find time daily to pray to You and to listen. For we know that all things are better with You by our side. Amen.
About the author:
Laura Seil Ruszczyk lives in New York with her husband of 27 years and her three children. She is a retired elementary school counselor who currently runs a HopeKeepers group at her church. She has dysautonomia, the deregulation of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls such invisible functions as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and temperature regulation.
When do you pray?
Timely and appreciated, thank you Laura!
Our dear and tender Abba is helping me to “re-up” my prayers on some long-standing hurts in my life these days, so this is spot-on for me 🙂
Blessings,
Lesetta
This us a wonderful testimony of a growing personal relationship with Him Laura – and great reminder for us to look at when and where we are praying.
So glad God hears all our prayers, no matter how eloquent or rushed – and that prayer opens up so much in our relationship with Him and with others.
Praying for you today ☺
Fiona
Good Day Laura ;
I am BLESSED.
TO Persevere and To
Live A Best Life.
In the Presence of our
GOD. I Experience JOY in times of Prayer.
Specially he Answer me. And I am ? excited. Hello Lisa.
GOD BLESSED YOU BOTH. ???
Laura, what a beautiful testimony of your growing relationship with God through illnesses! 🙂
I find it interesting that we became ill at the same time! Like you, I began declining during 2010 & 2011 was when my body “crashed” & I needed to resign from teaching. Like you, my relationship with God has blossomed along with my prayer life since becoming ill. For me prayer is like breathing. I chat with God all day in my thoughts. My challenge is how much listening I do!! Just recently I haven’t done well with sitting quietly & listening to Him, so thank you for challenging me to be still & listen! God bless. LOTSoluv Kerryn
I do appreciate this so very much because I feel God wants me to recognize more that prayer is a huge way of using our suffering or others pain to draw close to the God Who cares! The Holy Spirit can lead & guide us in prayer & actions to follow. Our minds need the willingness to pray so God can speak to us & illuminate what He wants! Thank you Laura for sharing your sweet personal relationship with the Lord with us! Someday we will meet in heaven!