“Prayer is a Personal Thing”

By Angie Ochoa

American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines prayer as a noun that means:  1. a reverent petition made to a deity or other object of worship.  2. Any act of communion with God, such as confession, praise, or thanksgiving.   I believe prayer is essential in man kind’s life, the need to communicate to one higher than ones self can be called instinctual.  Unfortunately some of mankind is so focused on himself that he leaves no time for prayer, all his energy goes directly to his achieving his desires.  Or man’s prayers to God surface in crisis situations and holidays.  Leaving him with a false sense of security and wonderment if his prayer was ever heard.

            When I was a young child prayer was fun and exciting for me.   I would sit by my great-grandmothers side and mimic her words, songs and gestures.  Then I would hide away and make up my own words and songs to my God.  As a child I sang and prayed, never tiring of my communication with God.  I had all the confidence that everything that came out of my mouth was heard and answered. 

            My idea of prayer as a teenager was different, prayer became boring and a waste of time.   After all why would God care what I was doing or saying.  He had too many other projects going on like hunger, war, drugs and anything else the news told us about.  My thoughts were if He can't stop these things than why bother talking to him.  So I turned my thoughts back to me and what wanted and how I was going to get them.

 

 As I gained experience into young adulthood and middle age I began to test the waters on prayer again.  I bought many books on prayer.  Every one of them with beautiful words strung into beautiful sentences, yet they were not my own. I began going to different churches and church meetings looking for the church that would satisfy my need for prayer. Unfortunately I just ran into others with the same need. Again I was left empty and unable to form the words I needed in prayer.

            Now as I've entered my mature age and look back to the place in my life where I was like the prayer less man. Walking around not sure if what's said will be heard by God.  The place that left me insecure and downcast, a place that was necessary so that now I can boldly say prayer is a personal thing. No one can tell you how to pray, when to pray, how long to pray or who to pray to.  It's all about you and how you communicate with the God you serve.

 

Angie Ochoa is the Executive Administrator for Spirit Song Ministries International.  This precious Sister in the Lord believes in the importance of covering leaders in the Power of Prayer. If you would like to stand with her in daily pray for this ministry, please write her at prarer8a@hotmail.com.  

 

Note: Spirit Song Ministries International is a Non-Profit Ministry supported by the Love Gifts and Offering of our Faithful Partners!

 

Spirit Song Ministries International

P.O. Box 14394

Phoenix, AZ 85063

(623) 268-3309

(623) 846-8522

 

Email: justrobinb@juno.com

www.spiritsongministriesintl.org