Pray, Pray, Pray
Hello,
I think an unhealthy amount about what happens when I die. What will my wife and kids miss? What won’t they? Which friends will go on as if nothing happened? What friends will be truly affected? What will people ultimately remember about me? Will I be remembered as an unorganized procrastinator? Will I be remembered as a beloved teacher? Will I be remembered for my temper flare-ups with my children? Will I be remembered for my intentionality with each child? Will I be remembered for missing out on time with my wife and family because I was too busy with the “important things” in life? Will I be remembered for my work ethic and determination? Will I be judged by my strengths or my weaknesses? My victories or my failings?
Maybe you struggle thinking about these things too. I guess I shouldn’t say struggle because a bit of introspection is good, I suppose. Contemplating your legacy is helpful when it encourages you to seize every moment. Reminding ourselves that at any moment we could be taken from this life encourages us to make the most of what we have. My introspection this week has led me to contemplate, "What is the one thing I want to be remembered by if nothing else?" After some thought, my answer is simple…Prayer. I want to preach and teach and write and pastor, but above all those things, I want to pray. As Paul tells the Thssalonians, I want to pray without ceasing. Like he encourages the Colossians, I want to remain steadfast in prayer. This is easier said than done. I can say I want to dedicate my life to prayer, but then I order my life as if prayer has no real place in it. Thinking that I’ll be able to fit it into the margins, what I will really do is relegate prayer to a marginal place. What is silly is I have tasted the goodness of a life in constant prayer, and I have tasted the comparative bitterness of life without constant prayer. Life is so much better, clearer, and more beautiful when in prayer, yet, I don’t set the time aside. When will I get to the point where I can faithfully enact what I know to be good.
For now, the first step is to remind myself that there is only one way to be remembered for prayer. Only one way to be a prayer warrior for the Lord. It is by just praying. All the time. Praying to start the day, praying in the margins, praying at meals, praying with fasting, praying during quiet time, praying whenever I start a project, praying while I am in the car, pray at bed, pray when I are alone, praying with my wife, praying with my kids, praying with my friends, praying with my co-workers. Just don't ever stop praying. Pray at every moment. With thanksgiving, with praise, with burdens, with sins, with requests, with responsibilities, with things out of my control, with things within my control, with those who need healing, with those who need wisdom, with those who need peace. Take every opportunity I have to bring everything to God. Pray, Pray, Pray. If I am remembered for anything, let it be that everywhere Nathaniel went was covered in prayer. I hope this is the place we all desire to be. Please Lord, let it be so for all of us who desire to be used by you!
-NR
