According to Merriam-Webster, the
definition of Prayer is “an address (such as a petition) to God or a god
in word or thought.”
I am not so much a “religious” person as much as I feel I am
a “spiritual” person. I don’t feel like I have to show my relationship with God
and I’m blessed to have a relationship with God.
I believe in the power of prayer. I pray for many people and
many times ask for prayers for me. I realized recently that some people may
have felt uncomfortable when I mentioned that they were in my prayers. This
only made me pray harder for them.
I pray for many family members and friends because they may
be going through tough times or happy times or sometimes just because I am
thinking of them and want them to be safe and happy. I pray many times during
the day, and it may not be as much as a formal prayer but more as a
conversation with God. I pray when I’m hiking or when I’m knitting but I pray
more silently than openly, and I am comfortable with feeling okay with that.
While I was thinking about prayer, I began to think about my
spiritual life.
I have always been a Lutheran. I had my first communion and
went through Confirmation in the Lutheran church. We were married by a Lutheran
pastor. I continue to attend a Lutheran church and I’m proud to be a Lutheran.
Growing up in New York, I always felt uncomfortable about my
Lutheran background. I loved reading the bible and attending church. I look
back now and realize how hidden I kept it. I think that is why I’m so glad I
moved to South Carolina. I had always heard about how it was in the “Bible
Belt” so I guess I hoped that I would fit in. When I attended Furman
University, it was part of the Southern Baptist Convention. I had so many
friends who were so comfortable in their beliefs and sharing this with
everyone. This is also the first time I learned about the Fellowship of
Christian Athletes and had friends who showed what it meant to be a Christian. I
had such wonderful friends who accepted me for who I was and how even though I
wasn’t as open as they were, I was accepted. I felt comfortable with them. I
joined the Lutheran Students Association and found other students who attended
Trinity Lutheran Church. I became a member and have been a member ever since.
When I got married, my husband and children became members.
As I have grown older, and possibly more mature, I have felt
more comfortable in my beliefs and my prayers. I feel comfortable praying for
others and letting others know that I’m praying for them. I have had great role
models when it comes to prayer. I remember many of my friends at college
praying openly even if I wasn’t comfortable doing that at that time. I had a
dear friend, Fran, who always said a prayer out loud, when we got in her car to
go anywhere. I loved how safe and cared for when she did that and I continue
that practice every time I travel anywhere, even if it’s just to the grocery
store.
I believe that God hears the prayers of all people, whatever
religion they believe in. They may call God by different names, but I truly
believe he hears us. I try to remember
not to ask God to work things out the way I want them to but rather the way he
wants them to and to give me and others the strength to deal with the outcome.
I have seen how many times my prayers have been answered. I believe
in the power of prayer. How about you? Please share.
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