"Pray"

As I go from place to place,

I observe from face to face,

The looks of sadness, pain and grief,

And wonder if they’ll find relief,

And if they ever pray…

Crowded rooms and crowded streets,

Angst and stress again repeats,

Where on earth can people turn,

When their dreams all flame and burn,

Why don’t they ever pray…

Raised with praying people, I,

Find it hard to know just why,

So many folks exclude the thought,

God’s deliverance can be sought,

I’m hoping they will pray…

And not about one’s guilt and shame,

Or whether they can bear the blame,

But find some grace by which to cope,

And perhaps a shred of hope,

Beginning when we pray…

And not just with words you see,

But open heart sincerity,

And honest, holding nothing back,

Admitting freely what they lack,

So many ways to pray…

Come, you troubled, come on now,

He will help you pray somehow,

Shelter and strong refuge find,

Comfort, healing of the mind,

Don’t put it off, come pray…

And finally in Jesus’ name,

The thing that you cannot explain,

Flows into the hungry heart,

The Holy Spirit does His part,

Whoever will may pray.

“Ask and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7, NAS)

Jesus did not make much emphasis on explaining prayer. He simply emphasized praying. if we ask we will receive. If we seek we will find. If we knock the door will open. Yes, but…and many questions go unanswered But here’s the thing: Ask and keep on asking. Seek and keep on seeking. Knock and keep on knocking. And if we do we will see results, not always immediately but ultimately. And not always in accordance to our exact request but something better that God intends. And not always in the way we expect but through God’s surprises. The adventure of prayer is not the application of a legalistic formula that attempts to manipulate God. It is seeking the God of the universe and trusting Him to give us the answers we need.

Lord, teach us to pray, in Jesus’ name.

Art by R.S. Riddick, used by permission. Thanks, and God bless.