catapult magazine

I suppose ths should just go under Quotes: Something simple, hard to remember -

“You do not have because you do not ask.”
- James 4:2

Prayer can be a funny thing.
Is anyone familiar with a somewhat recent book called “Ragamuffin Prayers?”
It is compliled by Jimmy Abegg (from Rich Mullins’ “A Ragamuffin Band” band and also a great photographer) and contains short devotionals written by various Christian artists, on prayer.
Essentially what the book comes down to is that there is not one right or wrong way to pray. You can’t be good at it and you can’t be bad at it. Anyone who may struggle with praying (the concept of or the act of) would especially enjoy this book, but is perfect for everyone and anyone sometimes found beat-up and burnt out by life, living by God’s grace.
Just a suggestion.. (but I really liked it. )

Hmmm….don’t you think maybe that prayer is:
being still,
crying out…the psalms,
singing, shouting,
private,
corporate,
personal,
journaling,
writing,
painting,
listening,
kneeling,
standing,
holding hands,
words spoken,
words not spoken,
Spirit moved,
Spirit prayed for us with groans deeper than words,
laughter,
touch,
talking with – listening to God,
simple,
complex,
not a matter of law but a matter of gospel,
yet a matter of obedience,
longing,
peace,
a matter more of the heart and less of the mind,
a gift…
a journey,
for asking about,
to be desired,
not a 12 step program,
grace upon grace upon grace,
release from worry, sin, pride, guilt, shame, anxiety,
connection with our Father,
not for wimps,
for wimps,
to grow in all our lives,
a place to work out with God,
a place to rest in His arms,
a snuggle on His lap,
prostrate before the throne,
fetal position,
hands raised,
body dancing,
face lifted,
Spirit kissed.
May we all continue to grow in prayer and be thankful for the longing to ‘get it’ and the struggle to engage in it, but may we also grace ourselves on the journey.