If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray . . . 2 Chronicles 7:14

Americans are less than satisfied with anything less than instant gratification.  Students brag now about using ChatGPT to do their work.  I wonder sometimes if I had gone through the school system we have now if I’d even be able to write these WMD’s.  I hated writing, but I learned how to do it.  I hated reading books, but there came a point where I began to enjoy it.  Looking back, I’m not sure I hated it, but was simply too lazy to make the time.  The instant gratification of fighting Mike Tyson on my Nintendo was always calling.  

I say that to humble myself.  I don’t know how I’d behave if I had everything that kids have now.  They’ve never not known a world with the internet.  The first time I remember hearing the word “internet” and that weird dial-up sound sequence was in 1995 when I was 20.  God knew when I needed to be born, to whom I needed to be born, and where I needed to be born to live out His calling in my life.  Where would I be, and what would I be like if He had never intervened in my life.  I’d be lost.  I’ve never quite gone down this road in my mind to realize just how vastly different my life would be without Him.  It makes me so appreciative, much more humble, and it makes me want to pray.

I know in the past that I said I’ve prayed.  But compared to what I’ve been doing lately through contemplating this verse and coming up with a strategy to pray . . . I might as well have said I didn’t pray at all.  Sure, I’d offer up a 5 second, “Help ‘em God,” type prayer here and there, say the Lord’s prayer, or offer up a few Thank You’s.  Probably the most powerful prayers were when I’d meet people out and about and we would pray out loud.  I would leave thinking, “I need to do that more!”   Still, as far as an individual prayer life, it was weak at best, and non-existent at worst.  

To take this seriously, I got a composition notebook and wrote “PRAYER” on the cover.  I write down a number and write down the person’s name and what I’m praying for specifically.  I also write Bible verses down that speak to me as I read.  I’m only up to 44 since April 18, but I’ve found myself long in prayer.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not sure I’ve made it to a sweet full hour of prayer, but I’m getting there.  When it is time to say “Amen,” I’m finding myself not wanting to leave His presence.  I’m finding myself looking forward to the next time.  

I only say this because I want you to really evaluate when and how much you pray.  If we want to take 2 Chronicles 7:14 seriously, I think we must.  I don’t really like making my prayer efforts public, but if it helps one or two of you guys go from complacent to serious with me, then I think it is worth it.  Maybe y’all have this in the bag and praying is no problem for you.  I just know I was taking a lot of worldly things a lot more seriously than I was taking prayer.  

If you don’t mind, tell me your prayer strategy.  What does it look like in practice?  Help me refine my strategy.  Number 22 in that notebook simply says, “Lord, teach me to pray . . . like really pray.” 

In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice.  In the morning, O Lord, I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation.  – Psalm 5:3