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| Passing On Prayer: Jenny's Questions |
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| Weekly Devotional |
| Written by Joan Tyvoll |
| Thursday, 25 February 2010 17:39 |
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“You have heard me teach many things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others.” 2 Timothy 2:2 I am a fanatic on the subject of discipleship. Casting that statement in today’s popular terms you could say that I am passionate about discipleship. It probably has to do with my early Christian training with the Navigators, and I suppose it has a lot to do with my giftings as well. Whatever the reason, it seems to me that Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 2 to his young son in the faith is a good word to all of us. “…what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.” Yes, Christ Follower - pay attention to hearing and doing the Word yourselves. But also remember your responsibility to pass on the things you are learning to someone else. We never live just for ourselves. God always wants us to be part of a community where we learn, share, uphold and teach one another.
Recently I received a Facebook message from a young friend of mine. Her message said this: …this winter break I spent some time reading about and studying prayer. I really want to grow in this area of my spiritual life. I feel growth has slowly been happening, but there is still so much more depth than I have right now. …I was wondering if you wouldn't mind answering some of my questions?” Of course. Here are her questions and some of my thoughts. Jenny: What does "praying without ceasing" look like in your life? How do you pray throughout the day? A. I see unceasing prayer as a constant awareness of God’s presence with me in every minute of my day. I feel constantly wrapped up in and focused on “God things”. I have been taught, and now see the truth in the fact that a constant awareness of God’s presence is a reward of obedience to God’s smallest commands and wishes. Careful obedience develops in us a conscience or spirit that is always listening for his voice, always expecting his input or “take” on everything you see, hear and experience. To me it feels like always having your telephone on – you are always waiting to have God come on the line and start talking about whatever is on your heart and mind. Add to that an extended daily time you spend with God in his Word and prayer and your heart will be saturated with the Holy Spirit. You don’t lose the effects of that easily or quickly. He stays with you in a real immediate way through out the day. I think of the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 36:9 (NRSV): “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” The New Living Translation says “…you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.” That paints a picture for me of prayer without ceasing. If I see anything during my day or night, it is because he sheds light on it. So I am constantly seeking his light and trying to think his thoughts. Jenny: When did you first start to develop your prayer life and was there anything specific you did to help start that? A. The young women who discipled me as a new Christian in college taught me to pray by praying with me. My conviction of the importance of discipleship and coaching or mentoring others started right there - in my own personal experience. I saw for myself how important it was in my own life. It was because of the faithfulness of other believers pouring their lives into mine that I was able to become grounded in my own faith. As the years went by the hunger for prayer grew in my heart. God did not allow me to be satisfied with my present experience of prayer. I longed to go deeper. If prayer really was me (a human being) communicating with God (the Almighty Awesome Creator of the Universe), then it was worth working on, and worth learning how to hear him, and connect my spirit with his. It seemed to me that most everyone else was doing fine with prayer, but I didn’t seem to be getting it. So I started reading books, and I started asking those people who seemed to know what they were doing questions just like Jenny just asked me. I realized some interesting things. A good share of the folks who looked good on the surface really didn’t have that much going on inside as far as a prayer life was concerned. Many (I found) were as confused and discontent with their prayer life as I was - a discovery that was both discouraging and encouraging. It was discouraging at times because it seemed that perhaps God really was after all a silent God - unapproachable and incomprehensible. If that was true, what hope did I have to ever have an intimate friendship with him? On the other hand it was encouraging because I realized I didn’t have to compare myself to what I thought were the “Super Saints” of the church. I was hopeful that as pathetic as it seemed my prayer life was, I might be able to find the heart of God. So I kept reading, and asking and trying, and as I sought him, he allowed me glimpses of light, and beauty and peace. He allowed me glimpses of himself. To be continued… Dear Friends, Keep in mind that plans are being prayed over for a “Prayer Summit” here at Norwegian Ridge Retreat for the spring and/or summer 2010. It remains to be seen if it will be a one or two day prayer retreat. If you are interested or have an opinion or ideas of what you might be able to do, please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Still Learning, Seeking and Praying, |
