Dead Ends, Detours, and a World of Wonders: The Fascinating, Bewildering Practice of Prayer

I have heard prayer described as our soul's native language or our native tongue.

Why then does it feel so foreign?

Since my previous writing, I have longed to further explore the idea of prayer. This is not because of any expertise I have, but solely due to the importance of the topic. And though many would acknowledge its importance, I believe most feel inadequate regarding prayer. I certainly do. Though I have been a follower of Christ for fifty years and acknowledge his passion for and his practice of prayer, I find it difficult to follow in his footsteps in prayer.

In Dead Ends, Detours, and a World of Wonders we will explore together the various forms of prayer; prayer in our wandering and prayer in our song. Prayer in our reading and prayer in our work. Prayer in our silence as we ponder the wonders, and prayer in our stillness as we slow down and catch our breath. And on those days where we find no path to prayer, we can simply be still and wait with Jesus while he prays. Prayer is our native tongue. God's great desire is that we grow in prayer's fluency and explore the many ways we can communicate with him. It certainly helps to cast our burdens on him and to ask for his help and his strength, for his guidance and wisdom, and mostly for his love, grace, and mercy.

So, let us ponder the breadcrumbs and the glimpses, the things we understand and the things we don't. Let us enjoy the mysteries and celebrate the wonders. And let us pray.