Ceasing to Never Pray

I have a huge respect for men and women who pray. And not only do I respect them because they simply pray; I can pray, too. I respect them because they pray intentionally, faithfully, powerfully, consistently. They don't waste their words, they don't waste their time, they don't speak irreverently. Their lives are sustained by the hours they spend each day in holy fellowship with their Father in Heaven.

I am at fault--and at a point of conviction. I spend miserable moments in prayer. The moments are few. They cease. When I pray, I often lose focus, intention, purpose, and in turn lose power, effectiveness, change of heart and mind. I acknowledge a God, but I cannot seem to sit still and await His voice of power. If there were ineffective moments in my day, they are most certainly those times when I am pretending to pray and instead turning them into 15-minute nap intervals. And yet, it would be an easier battle if this were the only difficulty, but it's not. Most often, I choose not to go to my knees in submission to God and His presence. I push it away and vow to do it later, only to be found a liar once more. D. Martyn Llloyd-Jones wrote on prayer, and his advice continues to cling to the back of mind. He emphasized a dire need for believers to heed the call of the Lord when He commands us to pray. When my Father speaks, no matter how quiet or unnecessary I deem it, I MUST answer His call and go to my Father and King in Heaven, for He wants me to listen. If I could pray without ceasing, if I could only begin to pray, than my minutes and hours each day could never be considered ineffective. My will would be submitted to His purpose. What greater calling each sun-tipped morning than the beckoning of my Father to my knees before His Good and Holy Throne of Love.