Prayers in the Dark

Prayer is no mystery. It is the simple act of talking with God.

Prayer seems hard to us because believing in God is hard to us.  If we had no doubts about God or His goodness, then prayer would be a cinch.  But talking to a Person we can neither see no hear as if our lives depended upon it (which they do) stretches the limits of our faith.

But stretching our faith is just what God wants.  He wants us to learn to trust Him with all our hearts and our souls.  It is the only way we can walk clearly in a darkened world.

When we are in a room and someone suddenly turns off the lights, we see nothing.  At first,  we see nothing.  We might even be confused and disoriented. But gradually we learn to recognize shapes and see obstacles by what little light we have. After a few minutes, our eyes adjust and we can walk confidently around the room, even with just a little light.

That is what prayer does for us. By learning to trust God in prayer,  after a while our weak vision of God,  brought about by our distance from Him and the general darkness of the world to His power and love, begins to diminish and we start seeing Him more clearly. We are even able to navigate through the obstacles of life, trusting in His divine guidance. 

Today, as you meditate on God, don’t worry if you cannot feel His presence, or if you can’t seem to hear His voice.  His voice is there. The more you meditate on Him, the greater your understanding of that voice will become. 

After you have entered into your time and place of prayer, read the following passages of Scripture and answer the questions below. 

Jeremiah 29: 11-13   What does it mean to seek God with all our heart?

Read James 1:3-15  What would you say that God wants to give you? What stands in your way from receiving it?

What do you think “Double minded” means? Are there ways you are “double-minded?”

Grant me the wisdom that comes from above, Lord, so that I can make the right decisions.  Let me know what it means to seek for You and you alone. 

Let me find you, Lord, and let me experience your goodness and grace. Help me to seek you in the moments of each day, and be found fully in you, trusting in your grace and love. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen