Sometimes I think of the weirdest things…
Last week’s blog was about the attack of the Amaleks and Moses’ efforts to thwart them. Remember, pray when you’re attacked, and don’t stop until the battle is done and won?
Here’s my weirdness…
How did Moses keep on praying? Did anyone else out there wonder what Moses prayed? I mean, this battle went on for some long period of time and I just wondered if Moses ever ran out of words? Like did he pray the same things over and over, did he simply call out God’s name, did he mix praise in with it, did he stumble over his words, did he doze, was he ever not able to find the right words?
I don’t know about you, but I often feel so woefully inadequate at prayer. I know folks say it’s just like having a conversation with a friend, or just speaking your heart, but sometimes when my mind is whirling and my heart is breaking, I struggle to put two words together let alone stand before the God of the Universe with my offerings.
One thing that helps me a lot is a Prayer Starter. What’s a Prayer Starter? Prayers written by Godly people that somehow have the words that I can’t seem to find. Prayers that were written out of someone’s experience. Prayers that were offered in His Name by others. Somehow those prayers nail exactly what I want to say but somehow even in my over wordiness, just can’t find.
YOUR NAME ON MY HEART AND HOME
Precious Jesus, you have been a strength to my poor soul, and you will be my portion forever. Help me to see my daily need of you, and to feel my poverty and weakness.
From persecution to my guilty conscience, to the remains of sin in a body of death, to the accusations of Satan or even the just judgments of God—I am secure in you, Lord Jesus. And I continually cry out, as did your prophet: “Only in the Lord…is righteousness and strength; even to him shall men come.” I will never be ashamed or confounded, world without end.
You have given grace, glory, and honor to your Israel. I want your name, Lord, on the gates of my house, so that no one will walk by and miss the fact that a lover of the Lord lives there!
It is my highest honor to have it known whose I am, and whom I serve, in the gospel of his dear Son. How could I be ashamed of that name before which every knee bows in heaven and earth?
And Lord Jesus, not only write your name upon the gates of my house, but engrave it in the center of my heart and my affections—on my first, and last, my earliest, and latest thoughts!
Let it be my joy to speak out of the abundance of my heart about you and your great salvation. In all I say, in all I do, let it be clear that I am in pursuit of the one my soul loves.
Let my every action point to your dear name. And whether at home or abroad, in my house or family, when lying down or when rising up, let all creation witness for me, that the love, the service, the interest, the glory of my God in Christ is the only object of my soul’s desire.
Let every thing in my life say this: “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Amen
Robert Hawker (1753-1827)
The Word of God is a perfect Prayer Starter. There are literally hundreds of prayers in the Bible from cover to cover. From Moses, to Abraham, to Jacob, to David, to Esther, right on through the prophets, up to the apostles, we see Prayer Starters. But probably the most famous Prayer Starter was our Savior. Jesus not only offered prayers to His Father, but He taught His followers, us, how to do the same. There are no less than 30 prayers of Jesus recorded in the New Testament. Jesus was the original Prayer Starter.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine in the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen
So, when your heart is in it but the words won’t come, get some help from a Prayer Starter. You will find that although it helps you get started, you will have no trouble finishing.
To His Glory.