The habit of prayer
“Abstract Praying Hands” by Bob Arnold
In the current stage of my life, to say that I feel inadequate to write a devotional on spiritual discipline is an understatement. However, one habit that I have depended on daily is prayer. I do not write in prayer journals, I do not have a time of meditation, and my prayers are not eloquent. In fact, at times I feel as though I am crying out more than speaking. I am asking why is this seemingly small thing so hard for me right now, or why do I keep struggling with the same sins? Sometimes my prayers simply consist of two words: Help me. There have been times that a hymn or a song has expressed the exact need I had at that moment even when I did not even realize it was what I should be praying.
One song that is particularly meaningful to me is “Gloria.” The words are taken from Psalm 34, and they were sung to me during a night of uncertainty and fear. I was in labor with my third child and was planning on having an epidural. However, I was informed that due to a possible complication, it might be safer to have a natural childbirth. This thought terrified me. At one point my husband contacted a dear friend in Missouri who lead worship at our previous church. He informed her of my current labor situation, and asked if she and her husband would sing these words to me through my voicemail.
I sought for the King, and He heard my cry.
And delivered me from my lonely fears.
Those who looked to Him will be radiant, and all their faces will be unashamed.
Gloria! Gloria! Gloria!
O taste and see that the Lord is good, all you people, all you saints, all you children of the King.
My husband played the song for me, along with the prayer she said afterwards. I began weeping. This psalm that was sung to me voiced my fears and expressed the prayer of my heart. Not only that, but at a time when I felt physically, emotionally and mentally weak, I had a Christian sister to pray for me. I kept that song on repeat that night, and while my circumstance and pain did not change, I knew that even through this process, God had heard my cry, and He delivered my baby and me safely.
There will be many times in this life that we will face uncertainty. We may feel lonely in our fear. During these times we have the privilege as His children to cry out to our God in confidence, and what a joy to know that we serve a King who hears and delivers us.