Today as I walked down the hall of my church carrying my sick baby I got a sign from God.  I know what you’re thinking…here’s some Jesus freak that is trying to make sense of a crazy world.  Well yes and no.  Did I see a burning bush?  Nope.  Did I hear angels singing?  Not really – even though I did love the worship music this morning as I was getting settled into my pew!  The sign was much more simplistic folks.

My daughter, Ruby, has had a rough time lately trying to fight off an upper-respiratory infection even with multiple rounds of antibiotics that just don’t seem to be working on her little four month-old body.  Today among the typical “Good Morning” greetings a friend asked, “How’s Miss Ruby doing this morning?” About that time a sweet gentleman walked up and heard my reply, “Not so good…y’all pray for her please.”  What happened next has been on my mind ever since.

There in the middle of the crowded hallway he stopped and asked if we could pray right then for her little body to get well.  For a moment it caught me off guard.  I thought, “Here…right this second, with a buzz of folks around us and blocking traffic?”  Five of us bowed our heads and he said a simple, but beautiful prayer for my precious little girl and I immediately felt more calm and encouraged.

As 2017 comes to a close and we look forward to what 2018 may bring, I’ve been reflecting heavily lately on the changes I’d like to see in my life.  I’d love to have a more organized home and more balance in my life.  I’ve got big plans to finally drop ALL my baby weight accumulated through now two kiddos!  But the most important resolution I have for 2018 is to get back to the basics…the basics of praying as Jesus taught us with sincerity and never ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16).

How many times have you seen on social media someone asking for prayer?  If you live in the Bible Belt like I do it’s seen daily I’m sure.  How do you respond?  Are you like me and leave comments like “praying for you”, or “you’re in my thoughts and prayers.”?  I was discussing this with a friend the other day, and we concluded that it has basically become one of those auto responses we say so quickly without really stopping to fully think about our answer, nor actually delivering the prayer.

Maybe its just that our good intentions are quickly railroaded by the next post of a funny meme or new album uploaded by a friend.

Is it just me, and I am the only one that needs a huge kick in the rear end for not dedicating the time and attention to doing one of the most important aspects of being a follower of Christ?  If that is the case, everyone reading this is my accountability partner in 2018.

If I am to model my life after Him, I can take a few lessons from the pages of the Bible and see that Jesus gives plenty of examples showing the importance of a dedicated and intentional prayer time. In Luke chapters five and six we see that Jesus would withdraw away often to privately pray in nature.  In Matthew chapter four, we read He spent 40 days isolated in the wilderness being tested by Satan.  No doubt as he fasted he prayed for a focused mind and strength.  Maybe it’s not a coincidence then that psychologists say research suggests it takes 40 days to form a habit?

Maybe we can start a revolution than instead of a resolution?  Maybe we can change the world to be a better place through the simple but important act of praying.  A place where there is more joy and less sadness and anger.  I’m not in a political position where I can change laws and I don’t own a huge company that can donate millions to charities, but I CAN take the lesson from Jesus asking his closest friends to join him in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew: 26:36), and lean on the fact that the Bible tells us God hears every prayer.  The thing is – we’ve got to first SAY it.

Looking back, for the first few years of my marriage my husband and I didn’t pray out loud together much at all.  When we made the decision to make that a priority in our lives it was awkward at first.  I’m embarrassed to say I was even a little uncomfortable to pray in public at restaurants.  Even when praying in the private of our home, I felt vulnerable to voice my thoughts out loud for my husband to even hear.  But, just like with a lot of other things in life the more you do something the easier it tends to become.  Now everything feels “off” if we don’t first say grace around the table.  Bedtime prayers have evolved as a time to reflect on the day, give thanks, and put into perspective the next day.  I’m also amazed and humbled at the sweetest prayers children can whisper!

As a side note there are no magical words and sometimes I don’t know what to pray.  In those times I’ve found comfort in saying just that.  “God, I’m not sure what to pray for right now but I do know that you are in control and you are the ultimate healer and you know what is best for us.  Please send just that and help me to have clarity and comfort in all things.  May my every thought, word, and action be pleasing to you.  Amen.”

So…I invite you to search your heart and join me in finding a way to become more intentional and dedicated to prayer in 2018. Maybe that means:

• You focus on talking to God while taking a shower or driving to work
• Start a habit of intentionally praying for first responders and the victims when you hear emergency sirens
• Attend more actual church services to pray together corporately with other believers
• Talk to Him while doing outside chores like mowing the lawn
• Make it a goal to memorize the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6: 9-13) as a family
• Send random prayer texts to people in your life that you know need to read them as encouragement
• You start a prayer journal
• Pause to whisper a prayer for wisdom and peace when dealing with a tough situation before speaking
• When someone requests prayer, stop right then and send that prayer up on their behalf!

I needed that reminder this morning as we prayed in the hallway that God is great all the time and there is no better time than NOW to talk to him.  Praying is our way of communicating with God and just like in marriage, good communication is key! I know I’ve got room for improvement in 2018 and I’m just one person – but God is mighty and he can do great things!

“Lord I pray you open my eyes to opportunities to share the Gospel with others.  And when those opportunities are presented, Lord please give me the courage and boldness to speak.  Amen.”