I believe that prayer changes lives and circumstances. I believe that spending time with God is one of the best activities I can do. However, this is not an easy habit for me because I get distracted easily and my mind wanders in various directions. Before I know it, I am thinking of something that has nothing to do with God or praying. Over time and after trying out different ways of connecting with God, I have seen that writing out my prayers is the best way for me to pray.
Some of you may have set up a spot in your home where you go pray and others may have a quiet spot out in the country where you go to spend time God. I have tried all of these ways and they don’t work for me for some reason. I think I have to set up a spot in my home because I spoke to many people and that’s what they do. Others have told me they found the perfect spot in the country where they sit, write in their journal and spend time with God. It’s very frustrating that I tried all of this and nothing seems to work for me.
So what works for me you ask? A restaurant! Yep, I have a few restaurants I go to with my journal, pen, iPad, I write out my prayers there. It doesn’t matter to me that it is noisy and distracting there. I seem to be able to block out what is happening around me because it simply doesn’t involve me. Huh, I know right? I think it is weird too but however weird it might be, it works for me!
I have said all of this to tell you a few of my prayers to God. They are simple prayers but real prayers. They are who I am, and they are who He is.
I wrote these prayers following my trip to Israel. I needed time to process my time there and process all that I saw and experienced. It was the best trip I have ever had even though it was exhausting and confusing too. I will hopefully share my journey soon but for now, here are some prayers asking God what he had to say to me about how I was feeling since coming back from Israel.
May 11, 2018
God, what do you have to tell me this morning about Israel? (Pause)
You hear me Betty. You experienced my provision and protection. I gave you strength and courage every day you were there.
Each morning you woke up, I was there.
I walked those paths with you. You and I together experienced what I experienced long ago! Betty, the paths were not paved back then. There were no railings to hold on to and there were no stairs to climb. There were just dusty hills. There was no shelter built to protect from the scorching sun. We had no bottled water handed out to us by a tour guide. (I sensed God was smiling and maybe poking fun at us) I didn’t have Adidas shoes or cushioned sandals.
What I am about to say to you may seem silly and possibly confusing, but life was simple back then. I lived a simple life, but an extraordinary life! I was God’s son. I was human in every way you are.
May 21, 2018
God, what are my thoughts and what are your thoughts about my trip to Israel?
God, I depend on you and your words.
I whispered “I love you” in your ear when you came to my city, my mountains, my valleys and dessert. My closeness will come to you as you read my word!
I taught you tolerance, endurance and patience. You endured long days and a lot of walking. You experienced difficulty people and you handled them with love and patience. You tolerated the churches and rituals that you are not accustomed to as you wanted to see exactly where I was born, where I died and where I was crucified. I know that it was tough for you, but I was there with you in Israel.
I walked where you walked and created everything you saw. I created the sea, the mountains and the dessert. I created them before I walked along them and climbed them. I walked the earth a few thousand years ago, the very earth I held together with my strong hands.
This is the nation I love and now the nation you love!
Leave a Reply