Shades of Prayer

As I was traveling to work this morning, thinking about God, about him as creator, and looking around at the trees and bushes and grass, the different colors of green jumped out at me.
I found a list of possible names from:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Shades_of_green

Army green, Asparagus, Bright green, British racing green, Camouflage green, Celadon, Chartreuse, Yellow-green, Emerald, Fern green, Forest green, Gray-asparagus, Green, Green-yellow, Harlequin, Hunter green, Islamic green, Jade, Jungle green, Kelly green, Lime, Lime green, Midnight green, Moss green, Myrtle, Office green, Olive, Olive drab, Pear, Persian green, Pigment green, Pine green, Sea green, Shamrock green, Spring green, Spring bud, Tea green, Teal, Viridian, Variations of green.

Did you know there were so many?
While I was driving I immediately thought of prayer.
Prayer comes in many different forms. Here are a few:

Intercession       Worship Prayer   Petition Prayer   Thanksgiving Prayer    
Silence Prayer     Group Prayer     Personal Prayer   Cooperate Prayer
Liturgy           Lectio Divina     Laments           Prayer books
Face down         Hands folded     Hands raised     Flat on Face
Prayer walks       Prayer Summits   Prayer weeks     Prayer Meetings
Using Scriptures Using Journals   Using music       Using creation
Listening Prayer   Prayer Counseling Prayer Ministry   Warfare prayer
Morning Prayers   Bedtime Prayers   Meal time Prayers Travel Prayers
Simple Prayers   Involved Prayers   Short Prayers     Long Prayers
Conversational   Pre-written       Thought out       Spar of the moment    
Desperate Prayers Shouting Prayers “Why me” Prayers “Take me now” Prayers

If there was only one shade of green, how boring our world would look. If there was only one type of prayer, how boring our relationship with God would be. Could this be why some many Christians are living humdrum lives? Their only experience of talking with God is the corporate time during weekend services. THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE!!

In fact Jesus died so we could have open communication with our Heavenly Father, as often as possible, in as many ways and for as many reasons as necessary. Jesus also lived out the different ways of praying while on earth. Next time you read through the Gospels keep an ongoing list of everything you see Jesus doing with prayer. It’s extensive.

I wonder if Jesus was thinking of prayer when he said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 TNIV)

If there is anything Satan does not want is for people to talk with God. If there is anything Jesus wants is for people to have a healthy, vibrant, continuous, meaningful, fruitful, exciting life of talking with God. Is that your experience?

Looking back over the list from above, how many do you recognize in your life? Which one would you like to start experiencing? What is stopping you? Who could you ask to join you? Please don’t spend another day with only one shade of prayer. Jesus has so much more for you.

Blessings from Bev