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Vacation from Praying

June 27, 2012 / 2 Comments

If I could skip summer altogether I would. An empty calendar, clear sunny days and the 100-degree weather create the perfect atmosphere for me to do the one thing I try to avoid — laziness. I wish it only affected the condition of my house. Unfortunately, it also spreads to every corner of my spiritual life especially my time in prayer. 

If I could skip summer altogether I would. An empty calendar, clear sunny days and the 100-degree weather create the perfect atmosphere for me to do the one thing I try to avoid — laziness. I wish it only affected the condition of my house. Unfortunately, it also spreads to every corner of my spiritual life especially my time in prayer. 

During the school year, my 9-year old persistently insists on praying on the way to school. She seldom forgets and if she does, she makes up for it on the way home from school. Ever since the school closed its doors for the summer, I have found myself struggling to start my day in prayer. So, I did the logical thing, I prayed about it. 
I have always known that God has a sense of humor. So He must have chuckled the first morning He responded to my prayer request. I quickly whispered, “No, not now,” to God. The clock read 4 A.M. I shifted my body left and right, closed my eyes tighter and tried to force myself to go back to sleep. My mind, however, kept reminding me of the people who I knew needed prayer. I finally gave in and in the stillness of the morning, I gave a loud sigh, rolled out of bed and I got on my knees. 
Since then I have come to truly understand that prayer protects, comforts, and diminishes my worries. I need it! It has shifted my selfish perspective towards an infinite God who truly loves me. Even while I pray, the Holy Spirit takes on all my struggles so that my yoke feels bearable.  
So how is your prayer life this summer? Like me, have you inadvertently taken a “vacation” from praying? As we pray, we will grow in trusting God with our daily situations. We will release all the things that we care about knowing that He is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. Remember, "My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me. They will be like a tree planted near a stream whose roots spread out toward the water. It has nothing to fear when the heat comes. Its leaves are always green. It has no need to be concerned in a year of drought. It does not stop bearing fruit.” (Jer. 17:7-8)
 
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Raquel Wroten (MAMC, Dallas Theological Seminary) was born in McAllen, Texas but has lived in the Dallas/Fort Worth area most of her life. Raised by a single mother, Raquel grew up knowing the meaning of diversity, creativity, and chaos through her four brothers and three sisters. The greatest gift she ever received came from her mother who taught her that living as a believer doesn’t mean perfection, it means grace. Raquel met her husband Rick at a church retreat in Oklahoma on a cold November weekend. They dated for a year and got married in June 1992. A couple of years later, Rick graduated with his ThM, and they welcomed Joshua. . .then Abby. . .and surprise, it’s Anna! Intermixing their cultures, the Wrotens have established a variety of traditions along with interesting combinations of food. Raquel believes that ministry begins at home so she finds new ways of serving those she calls her own. Raquel serves as editor of DTS Magazine and enjoys writing (in English, Spanish and Spanglish), cooking, coffee, education and serving up a feast for her friends and family.

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2 Comments

  • Sue Bohlin

    June 27, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    “Not now, Lord.”

    Love your story, Raquel, and thank you for the encouragement to keep on praying! I don't know anyone who takes a summer break from eating or breathing. . . . *grin*

    • Raquel Wroten

      June 27, 2012 at 9:01 pm

      “Not now, Lord.”

      I know Sue!! The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak at 4 AM. I do pray regularly throughout the day but there is something wonderful about starting my day in prayer. It's like getting that extra shot of expresso in my coffee. Thanks!