The Gift Of Prayer

Or in the snow-lapped country church, kneeling at last to pray, for what we could not have. — Louise Penny, Kingdom of the Blind.

During these days of wish lists, letters to Santas, and yes even lots of prayers we often ask for things we can not have. I sometimes wonder what God must think when I pray for help with a particular problem. How many times has I thought, “I have given you all the tools you need. Put them to use and quit asking for things you can do for yourself.” Yet I keep on asking and praying. (I also make a silly list every year that asks for things so far out of my reach to entertain my kids. World Peace and a pick up truck being two examples.)

I was taken by Ruth’s poem in Louise Penny’s latest mystery and it caused me to think about my prayers. I have more important things to talk to God about these days than for things I can not have. For example: comfort for sick or hurting friends, wisdom, and humility. More importantly this is a season for some good heart to heart conversations with God about this coming year and gratitude for life and the blessings of the last year.

Prayer is an underestimated commodity we all have in common. Give yourself the gift of prayer this Christmas.

 

 

 

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About the author

Webb Hubbell is the former Associate Attorney General of The United States. His novels, When Men Betray, Ginger Snaps, A Game of Inches, The Eighteenth Green, and The East End are published by Beaufort Books and are available online or at your local bookstore. When Men Betray won one of the IndieFab awards for best novel in 2014. Ginger Snaps and The Eighteenth Green won the IPPY Awards Gold Medal for best suspense/thriller. His latest, “Light of Day” will be on the bookstands soon.