I’m convicted by how little I really know about or experience prayer.  The mountain of books on my nightstand on this topic shame me each day.  Yet as I start my day, I realize there’s no amount of reading on prayer than can substitute for it.

I sit down but stumble on what to say.  Distracted by my own thoughts, the baby talking, dogs barking, birds chirping, phone beeping…anything but what I’m trying to focus on.  Within minutes, I’m through.  Discouraged.

As I read 2 Chronicles 7, I realize there is so much more to be experienced.

1When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. ² The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it. ³ When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.”

There is power when we pray.  Yet we make excuses, self-blame and assume we must be deemed worthy or perfect before we can pray or see results of prayer.  His glory is here.  His glory is now.  His love endures forever.  He commanded Solomon later in the chapter:

^“14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Will I turn from what I want?  My selfish ways?  If I want His glory, will I choose humility?  Will I tune out distractions to seek His face?  Will I choose to believe I will hear Him?

He has forgiven my sin.  He has healed me.  His love endures forever.

Amen.

Photo by Jeremy Yates