Got Prayer?
This Christmas break was revitalizing. It was so relaxing and allowed me to get back up on my feet after a hectic, stressful semester. It’s nice to feel in control again, ready to conquer what’s ahead. It was wonderful to reconnect with my family and grow relationships with my friends.
Prayer: it’s an integral part of any relationship with God. Though where and how you pray may be unique to you, it’s essential. In Psalms, David mentions prayer repeatedly. He lived in the presence of God, even though he may not have always made the best choices. Daniel and Paul prayed even in the midst of difficult times. Jesus cried out to his Father at his best and worst hours. Noah sought peace from God and uttered meager praise through prayer.
Prayer is whispered, spoken, thought and written in the most beautiful and the most vulnerable of situations.
We all understand it. We all relate to each other by it and relate ourselves to God through it. It’s one of the most tangible gifts that we have to personally offer God.
From a young age, my parents instilled the importance of prayer in my little heart. Seeing my parents on the couch with their Bibles and prayer journals open was a constant reminder that seeking time with God was important, just as it’s important to maintain relationships with my family and closest friends.
I’ve had people tell me “I’m praying for you” and I’ve had people ask me for prayer, but I‘ve never completely understood the powerful, physical grip prayer has on the heart of the seeker.
My mom has a book called “The Power of a Praying Parent”. During the year, she uses it to pray for me and my brother, using prayers that address what we have been struggling with during that day or week.
Over Christmas break she pulled out the book during worship. She and my dad wanted to pray for us, so individually, she asked me and my brother to flip through the book and find something we wanted prayer for. They each put a hand on us and read our individual prayer to us, together.
That may sound strange to some people; it sounded strange to me and took me out of my spiritual comfort zone. But that moment, when, together, they prayed over me, touched me. When I’m aching inside, that moment comes to my mind and my spirit is revived because I know that my parents are praying for me.
Now, I know that not everyone has a praying parent, but everyone does have praying people. On more than one occasion, I’ve requested prayer from a friend, and during their prayer I was moved to tears. Though the act may be uncomfortable, the experience is comforting. Just knowing someone is actively praying for you is enough to provide support on a rough day.
This semester, I challenge you to build up a supportive prayer circle around you, and don’t forget to pray for those you care about as well.
Kasondra Reel is a senior studying nursing.