It seems like I am forgetting a lot of things lately. Where’d I put my glasses? What’s that football player’s name? Do I have a meeting tonight?
The other day I even found an envelope with some cash in it that I had forgotten about. I had set it aside for our recent trip to Greece and Turkey and I never thought about it again until I saw the envelope with “trip” written on it. (That was actually pretty cool and it may inspire the kids to help clean out my stuff when it’s time to head off to the nursing home.)
I really wish I could remember things better. Passwords, faces and names, directions, memory verses, all kinds of things are good to remember but mostly I wish I could remember to pray.
I mean it. One of my deepest desires is to simply remember to pray.
I forget to pray before I eat and that’s not good. It’s not every time but it’s often enough to be an issue. Everything we have comes from God’s provision and before a meal is a great time to nurture a grateful attitude.
I also fall short of my intention to pray before going to sleep at night. My plan is to pause every evening, think back over the day in review, offer thanks, ask forgiveness and lift up the coming day. I forget more times than I remember.
I guess I get distracted, or I’m thinking about the next thing, or I’m not thinking at all. It’s not like I don’t know about breath prayers, sentence prayers and simple sighs that can be a way of remembering God’s loving presence. I just forget.
Of course, my hope to change goes a little deeper than remembering to say, “God is great. . .” and “Now I lay me down to sleep. . .” What I really need is to bring the Spirit into the conversation when I am stressed, afraid, hurting, mad, tempted, and anxious. You know, all those things that can be handled so much better with a simple, “Help me Lord.”
Maybe I should try praying, “Lord, help me remember to pray.” (Seriously Lord, not just trying to post a blog here. Please help.)
I remember Herbert Spell, when he was a retired preacher (and was still as much a character as he had always been). He once said, “Sometimes a person will ask me to pray for someone, and I’ll forget. Then he’ll come up to me a week later and tell me how the person is much better and thank me for praying for him. I’m not going to tell him I forgot: That wouldn’t do him any good.”
I think that the Spirit intercedes for us not only when “we do not know how to pray as we ought,” but sometimes when we forget, too.
When we give our lives as living sacrifices, we become the hands and feet of Christ on earth and our lives are a prayer in themselves. It is wonderful when we have the conscience opportunities to pray without distraction or interruption, but I believe we have continual ongoing conversation with the Lord from within our true selves all the time. I liken it to some Alzheimers patients I have known who cannot remember their names, but can quote scripture and sing hyms without faltering. This tells me that the things of God come from the heart and not from the brain, so if you think you forget to pray, you’re mistaken. From what I have witnessed of your life, you are ALWAYS praying.
On a more physical approach, you might get some vascular tests and also begin taking notes. Bless you. Phillip
I think we are all guilty of that. I know I am, but wish I could be better. It’s nice to hear you forget to pray sometimes too! Miss you tons! Have you forgotten where Leesville is? Maybe we need to tie a rope to you and pull you back in so you don’t forget about us! Merry Chirstmas!
I am not sure why, but I find it comforting that my pastor not only forgets the same things I forget, but that you have the courage, humility, and wisdom, to share the fact…knowing that it will make it better. Thank you, Jim!