We all need prayers in our lives

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON

“Prayer is not eloquence, but earnestness; not the definition of

helplessness, but the feeling of it; not figures of speech, but

earnestness of soul.”

-- HANNAH MORE

“Gratitude consists in a watchful, minute attention to the

particulars of our state, and to the multitude of God’s gifts, taken

one by one. It fills us with a consciousness that God loves and cares

for us, even to the least event and smallest need of life.”

-- HENRY EDWARD MANNING

I have much to pray about and much to be grateful for in my life.

I’ve heard long eloquent prayers, and I’ve heard brief mumbles and

stumbles. I’ve also heard people simply say, “Help.”

I’ve definitely mumbled and stumbled over my words and thoughts in

prayers, and many times, I have looked to God and said, “Help.”

One of the many wonderful qualities of God, I think, is that he

would rather hear from us often, no matter what we say or how we

pray. I’m sure he prefers a sincere heart to eloquence, simple truth

to long, flowing sentences, and an attitude of trust far more than

dictation of how we would like him to answer our prayers. I am guilty

of thinking that I know how I’d like prayers to be answered, but I do

know that he is God and I am not.

My past two columns have been on prayer. Two weeks ago, I

explained a particular pattern of prayer. One reader named Leslie

e-mailed and thanked me because she thinks it will help her focus her

thoughts as she begins her conversations with God. She also thanked

me for the weekly spiritual nourishment. I really appreciated her

encouragement and re-read her e-mail several times while writing

this.

Last week, I wrote about praying for others and the need to pray

for a wonderful paramedic named Brian Slater. Slater is recovering

after being pulled from the water unconscious by Newport Beach

lifeguards last August. Brian has e-mailed me before, and I so

appreciated his encouragement.

Today, I want to thank those of you who have encouraged and prayed

for me. I can’t possibly list you all, but you know who you are.

Looking back over the last month, I’ve had many people call or e-mail

me; some I haven’t heard from in ages, and some are readers I don’t

know.

One friend called and said my name kept coming to her mind, so she

prayed for me. We talked, laughed and even cried on the phone.

Another friend called and said that she sensed that God had put my

name on her heart, so she contacted me. We spoke awhile, had lunch

the next day, and she shared wonderful words of wisdom and

encouragement. She also prayed for me. We’ve connected since then,

we’ve laughed, cried and prayed together. I’m grateful that she

responded to God’s nudge.

I’ve had other calls, cards and e-mails of encouragement. There

are other friends and readers to walk with or respond to when time

permits. One reader named Tricia e-mailed me, and when we spoke

later, she prayed a wonderful prayer for me over the phone. I felt

humbled and blessed at the same time.

It isn’t always physically or practically possible to walk or have

lunch with other people. However, it is always possible to pray and

to be thankful.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at 537 Newport Center Drive,

Suite 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.