I can honestly say, that prayer is not a regular activity in my life. I do believe in God. I even believe in Jesus. To what extent...that's another story. I can tell you that I believe prayer is a conversation between you and God. I believe it was never intended to be a political tool. I believe prayer only helps you if you believe it. I believe prayer can be instrumental in getting your heart and mind in sync.
If I had a prayer to offer, it would go something like this...
Dear God,
I want to say thank you for all the things I've been blessed with in my lifetime. I know we've fought. I've cursed you out. I've screamed. I've cried. I burned books that people swear were divinely inspired by you. I've lost faith in you. I've gained it back. I've been guilty of coming to you only when I need something. I've struggled to understand you. I've worried that you might not be real at all. I still think you may have it out for me sometimes. Other times, I feel you have my back. Our relationship has been up and down...back and forth...and everywhere in between. I can't say I've got you all figured out. I can say that the more I learn about myself, the more I learn about you.
I pray that I never knowingly hurt someone, though I know I probably will. I pray that I can always offer the forgiveness that I so desperately need from others. I pray that I will always be man enough to be honest with my self and with others...no matter how unpleasant that honesty could be.
I pray that you help me not be so critical of myself and of others. I pray you never take away my curiosity. I pray for strength to fight, even when I don't want to fight. I pray that I learn something...anything...from my tears. I pray for courage. I pray that I will always be better today than I was yesterday. I pray that if you are listening...you never stop listening. I pray for justice.
I pray for my children's peace of mind and soul. I pray that no matter where they are in life, they always feel my great and never-ending love for them. I pray they never forget me. I pray that they seek the truth about who their dad really is. I pray one day I can tell them face to face that their love forever transformed my soul. I pray they will understand, before them...I was nothing. I pray that everyone in this world gets to experience the unconditional love of a child at least one time.
Finally, I pray that I always feel that like I can say whatever I need to say to you, and that you will listen. I pray that even in my worst moments, you see my heart. I pray that you forgive my mouth, and my actions, and my thoughts. I pray that by the end of my lifetime, I will get to meet the "person" that I've been through hell and back with. Real or imagined... Literal or figurative... Near or far... You've always been around.
Sincerely,
Me
The Bottom Line:
Maybe God is within. Maybe God is somewhere out there. Maybe God is everywhere. Maybe it's OK that I don't know. Life, if nothing else, is a journey. Our conversations...our prayers with that something or someone that is bigger than ourselves can only lead to greater understanding and greater peace of mind.
