On prayer

"He has designed and initiated prayer as a means of blessing, restoring and helping His people.
.....He calls us into an intimate relationship with Him and chooses to work in this world through our prayers.
...From His throne He dispenses grace, healing, and strength so as we come to Him in prayer as Moses, Aaron and Samuel did we experience His presence and He answers in His way, in His time, and for His glory."
-One Year Praying Through the Bible

Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel was among those who called on His name;
they called on the Lord
and he answered them.
_Psalm 99:6

Lately I have been aware that my prayer life is becoming rather shallow. I spend time each morning "in prayer." But most of my time is spent reading scripture and the meditations of other people. Somehow I manage to get my "to do" list in for Him. I ask Him to speak to me through His Word and He never fails. Yet I am beginning to realize that this is not what prayer is about. Today's message from One Year Praying Through the Bible struck a chord. First, that God would choose to initiate prayer as a means of communicating is profound. Our all sufficient God extends Himself to us in prayer. He doesn't need to talk to us-He desires to communicate with us. And since has chosen to work through us, it is vitally important that we understand our call. Prayer therefore, should change me. It should enable me to priortize my life around His leading. My time with Him requires that I quiet my mind and empty myself in order to be filled with His love and Spirit. At the end of my prayer I want to be able to say, 'Lord, use me today. You were broken for me. Now break me open for others so that all who encounter me today will find you. Then filled with your Spirit allow me to meet their needs as you see fit. You will supply the words and the love. You will break my heart for them.'