Small Prayers

For most of my adolescent life I struggled with feelings of not being good enough. This transcended into many different areas of my life, including my prayer life. People would often tell me, “You have a way with words.” But to be honest, I couldn’t see where they got this. I had a tendency to stutter and even stumble over my own thoughts. I just couldn’t seem to put into words what I wanted to say. So what I did seem to stammer out felt small and insignificant, with absolutely no power in my meek voice. But God has been speaking to me about these so-called “small prayers.”

Back in June, I was scrolling through my Facebook feed and came across a post from the popular photo blog, Humans of New York. This story really resonated with me. (Edited for content)

“Seven years ago, I was sitting on the ledge of a thirteenth floor window. I’d tried to quit drinking so many times but I couldn’t do it, and I’d finally given up. My mind was racing through all the shameful things I’d done, and I kept hearing this voice saying: ‘Jump ....’ So I put my hands over my ears and started rocking back and forth on the window ledge. Suddenly I heard this small, still voice: ‘Say a prayer,’ it said. And I didn’t want to hear it... But then I heard it again: ‘Say a prayer.’ So I started praying, and I totally surrendered, and I felt an evil presence leave me. And I just kept saying: ‘I can’t believe you still love me. I can’t believe you still love me.’ Then I cleaned up my room, threw away my baggies of coke, took a shower, and went to work.”

There are so many elements of this story that blow me away. I am deeply moved by how quickly God rushes in with His relentless love. In this hour, possibly this gentleman’s darkest hour, I can’t imagine his prayer was profound. I can’t imagine he used the most impressive vernacular.

Sometimes your smallest payers -your simplest prayers- are the mightiest. Why? Because they are the most sincere. And because in that moment you meant every word. Even if your words are few.

God is not impressed with the eloquence of our prayers. But I believe He is moved by the sincerity of our prayers.

Prayers like these,

“God, if you are real then show me”

“Lord, come to my rescue”

“Change me, Lord”

“Lord, I surrender”

“Jesus, I need you”

These prayers that come out of seasons of lament, or just out of the well of a heart longing to know God…That may be modest, and small in length, are powerful. God is deeply desiring to commune with His creation.

Matthew 6:7-8 gives us an illustration of just how unimpressed God is with our wordy prayers.

          And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

So maybe, just maybe, the only people we are impressing is ourselves.

I have fallen in love with this quote, “Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” –Max Lucado

         So when you pray remember, God is looking for a sincere heart. Keep in mind that He knows what we have need of before we even ask. And that the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not the one who says it. I believe more than ever, that God is just waiting for us to call on His name. He is anxiously awaiting our prayers. He deeply desires to hear from you. And He is as close as the mention of His name. Even if we can barely stammer it out, that is enough. 

Love,

Sav xo