I’m not sure whether my prayer life changes too much during times of transition and change, albeit admittedly there’s a lot more sighing going on. A clergy friend once remarked to me that a sigh is a prayer without words. That sounds reasonable. Very often, my sighs are recognition of need, but I may not know what to pray for. In Scripture, we read that the Spirit prays for us and intercedes with sighs too deep for words. (Romans 8:26–27) Is my breath in tandem with the Lord’s breath? The Spirit’s sighs? What a lovely idea!
My prayer life is not very formal. That probably doesn’t surprise you. I live each day in conversation with God. When I’m happy, I praise God; when I’m sad, I ask for help or perspective or wisdom or patience or <sigh>. This daily conversation is a comfort. Theologically, it affirms that God is ever-present and that the Spirit of God is with me always, my constant companion. What a comfort!
We say grace as a family at dinner. In recent years, we have fallen into the rhythm of my husband leading. I augment if I think something important has been forgotten. We are often eating as he prays. (He is always last to the table.) I love that he does this. Prayer is an opening of the heart for all to see. It is a gift to those around you, especially when those gathered are remembered and their concerns are lifted up as worthy of God’s notice, and we all hear the love in and behind the words. What a gift!
What I am reminded of most recently is my need to listen. If I’m praying for direction and guidance, and I am praying for direction and guidance, then I need to ask for what I need—not what I think I need—but what God would have me understand or do, and this requires listening. The recognition that God is truly God-with-us fills me with awe and humility and joy. God still speaks!
The wisdom to trust that God will lead is a product of maturity, I imagine. You believe it when you’re younger; you know it, as you age; and you trust, as you’ve lost count of your sojourns around the block. Wherever you are on the journey, may you grow in your ability to pray and to listen and to hear God’s whispers!
For. Truly. We. Worship. The. Living. God.
Pastor Robin Miller Currás