Filled With the Desire to Pray

                “Dear Lord, my God, my heart beats faster and stronger just knowing You are here, knowing that You are listening. Why is it so hard for some people to pray to You? You love us more than we can imagine so what keeps people away from You? How can they not believe in Your love for them?

                “When you love someone, you can’t keep your eyes off them, whether it is a romantic love interest, your child, your mentor, or your parent; you just want to see them, see how they are doing, see what they are doing and see if they are happy. Their happiness brings you peace and joy. Your love for us is like that but amplified a million times more and yet there are those who don’t approach You in prayer. If we can write letters, send texts, emails or pick up the phone, why is it so difficult for some to pray?

                “Is it a lack of faith? People need the instant gratification of an immediate answer. When they don’t think they ‘hear’ an answer, they think You are not there or that You are not listening. Some think they are not worthy of Your love; that there is no way You the almighty powerful God, would be interested in insignificant them. That’s ridiculous. You created them to love and to be loved.

                “Others think they don’t need to talk to God; that prayer is only for the weak or simple minded. They think they are doing just fine on their own. That is also ridiculous. No one is that well off. Who wouldn’t benefit from a conversation with the one who made them and the one who loves them so much that they only want the very best for them? How silly it is when a teenager won’t talk to a parent about something that is bothering him/her. The parent knows the child very well and wants that child to be happy and successful in everything. The parent can see things on a larger scale and in the context of the whole picture. When the teenager refuses to talk to the parent and blindly tries to move ahead without any guidance, they often travel a rough road. Why not seek some help and companionship from one who is full of love for him/her?

                “Then there are those who are blind or indifferent. Who could be so numb to not care about You and Your great love? Who refuses a precious gift of eternal love indifferently? It makes no sense to me. Indifference infuses an entire person. Indifference muffles passion. Indifference stifles joy. Indifference blocks peace replacing it with numbness. Who prefers life without passion, joy and peace? Who prefers to just exist?

                “Oh Lord send the Holy Spirit to fly through the souls of all Your people like a strong wind to get their attention. Then may the Holy Spirit gently awaken the soul’s desire to seek You in prayer. Call Your people in a way that causes them to turn to You, longing to seek You in prayer. May they pour out their hearts to You. May they tell You all their hopes and desires the way lovers share their dreams with each other, the way a child tells his parent about his day, the way a young adult will sometimes truly ask for advice from a parent or mentor. Oh dear Lord, may their hearts beat stronger and faster knowing You are there, listening and loving them all. May they be filled with the desire to pray.”