Interrupted Prayer

I got up a little later than usual, and others in the house where up a little earlier.  After spending time reading in Luke 15, I recognized the living room was getting a bit too busy for a time of prayer and meditation, so I decided to move outside to the front porch.  It was only a little less distracting out there.  A few neighbours heading off to work and a few walking kids to school made it a bit difficult to concentrate.  I did, however, manage a few minutes of reflection on the theme of seeking the lost that is so pronounced in Luke 15.  As I meditated, one more distraction walked by.  My neighbour passed by, calling back to his father two doors down.  As I decided to end my attempt at a prayer time, it dawned on me that perhaps this distraction was not a distraction, but rather an answer to prayer, a reminder and a spurring on.

A few weeks ago, this same neighbour had approached me to return a broom that I had lent him.  After some small talk about the neighbourhood and how, as a child, he used to play in what is now my home with a friend, he began to ask spiritual questions.  He is in a time of seeking and investigating spiritual matters.  At the end of the conversation he said he would definitely be in touch with more questions later.  That was a few weeks ago and he had not mentioned it since, nor had I even seen him very much.  Seeing him that morning reminded me that perhaps I need to take the initiative.

The next day, when I saw him again, I intentionally went over to say hello.  I also took with me a book that addressed many of the things he had mentioned in our last conversation.  He was genuinely appreciative and expressed that it was exactly the sort of thing he was looking for as he continues his exploration.  

So, although it was interupted and did not feel particularly satisfying, perhaps it was a fruitful time of prayer after all.  My eyes and heart were opened, an application presented itself quite clearly and I recognized an opportunity for obedience.  Is there anything more we can ask for out of a time of prayer and meditation in scripture?  

 

Thoughts about Prayer

Prayer is one of those things that I  have a real desire to do well.  It is also one of the spiritual disciplines that I feel comes least naturally to me.  I realize that if there is one universal key to a deep and meaningful prayer life it is - pray.  You just have to do it.  But beyond that I am always happy to come across some helpful thoughts about deepening one's prayer life. 
Recently, I have been reading Read the Bible for Life By George H. Guthrie (and this will be the last thought I post form the book - I promise).  There is a discussion with Donald S. Whitney about reading the bible for personal devotion.  I appreciated the attention to balancing reading scripture for the big picture story, meditating on scripture and praying scripture. 

When we pray, we can pray through a passage of Scripture.  After reading a chapter or several chapters in your Bible reading, go back and pick one verse, perhaps a verse that stood out to you.  Or you can pick a verse or passage you beleive is a theme verse or a key passage in the section you have just read.  Then pause over that verse and pray through it.

The chapter provides many insights into the importance of reading the big picture, explains meditation and gives practical examples of meditation and how to pray scripture. 

If you are looking for other resources for prayer I have also been reading The Hidden Life of Prayer by David McIntyre.  It is a little less accesible as the language is a bit older, but there are many helpful insights as well.  You can also follow along with others as they read it together as it is the most recent book in the series "Reading Classics Together" over at Tim Challies blog.  Below is a link to the first post, and they have been doing a chapter a week since then:

Reading Together