Behind the Prayer

Praying as God wants us to pray

A Poem: Behind the Prayer

The prayer behind the prayer
Screamed into my brain;
Without waiting,
Without warning
Without being asked.
The prayer the Father desires,
That he wants me
To sing into his ears!
What prayer does he want?
Surely what is on my heart.
Surely what is on my mind.
Yes, but so much more!
He desires the prayer
Behind the prayer;
The prayer that moves
My heart, my mind
To agree with his,
The prayer that says,
“Not my will, but yours.”
The prayer that says
“ Here am I,
Mold me into the image
Of the Son!”

A Prayer: Lord, I Want To

Lord, I want to
Please you with every
Thought,
Every word,
Every action.
But that is impossible!
I cannot reach that high,
I cannot live holy as you ask,
I cannot live in righteous obedience.
Unless...
I submit
Each moment to
Your presence,
Your purpose,
Your power.
Even in that,
I need your help.
Conform me today, Jesus,
Into your image.

A Passage: For Reflection

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
-- Romans 8:26 NIV

---