Prayer.

How many people do you know that say they are really really good at prayer?  I know a few but the majority of people I know think they aren't very good at it.  Why is this?  Who has taught them that there is a wrong and right way to pray?  We were on a missions trip and partnered with a really cool soup kitchen ministry.  They took an old school type bus put in restaurant booths and served soup our of crock pots.  It was very efficient, warm and welcoming.  They went TO the people who were hungry which I thought was cool.  A young man who we had ministered to early in the week got saved.  He was so excited he read the entire Bible in one sitting....all day and all night.  He went with us to the soup kitchen and started praying for people.  I was listening like a proud Momma then froze in shock!  He was swearing like a sailor while he prayed.  He told cancer to get the "F" out of one guy then asked God to help a lady deal with the S*#@ in her life.  I am hard to shock but the legalistic, conservative christian in me freaked out inside!  I turned to the missionary next to me and gasped "what do we do?".  The missionary next to me said "why would we do anything?  Isn't it beautiful?"  Um...what?  Help me with this.  How is it beautiful?  The missionary shared his heart about how beautiful it was because God was not offended.  He was delighted to hear this young converts prayers.  The young man believed God was powerful.  He believed He could heal.  He believe God accepted him for who is is and where he is and so HE PRAYED!

Sometimes we can be so hard on ourselves regarding prayer.  We aren't saying the right thing.  We aren't doing it right.  Should we kneel?  Should we stand?  Do we say scriptures?  Should I feel guilty that I didn't pray this morning as soon as I woke up.  The questions can go on and on.  Prayer to me is thanking God when something good happens.  Prayer to me is asking Him to help when you need help and wisdom.  To sit in a focused prayer time is good but not good if it is an act to make you a better Christian.  I am reading a book that I highly recommend regarding prayer.  It is good!  I hope you are encouraged by it as much as I was.  You can be good at prayer....no right or wrong time, place, or words.  JUST DO IT!