Prayer

Do you pray?

I pray. Religiously (excuse the pun). I pray every day. I do. Sometimes, the prayers are very formal, like when I say The Lord's Prayer. But most of the times, the prayers are very informal. I talk to God. I plead with God. I cry in anguish to God. I laugh with God. Yes, I believe in God. God's takes different shapes and forms. Sometimes God is She and sometimes He, but I digress.

Prayer is an important part of my life. Some days, I deliberately kneel, light a candle or two and pray for specific wants or needs. Some days I sit in a half-lotus pose and pray while I practice yoga. Some days I whisper prayers while I'm in my laboratory, or when I'm driving or when I'm walking. It really depends on how I feel and what is weighing on my mind.

There was a time when I'd start every prayer with "Thank you Lord for...this day; for... bringing my husband into my life; for... my life". Lately my prayers have been more urgent-feeling. "Please God, help bring my kitty back home soon."  "Please God, help my brother to finally feel better and never have headaches again."  "Please God, help my Mom feel better and not so lonely." "Oh God! Help (name withheld to protect the individual) get his life back on track; please take away the horrible mental illness."

I find myself praying for strength or for patience or for peace or just "Help me.".  Also there are times when I am wandering around the neighborhood on my daily walk and I see a particularly beautiful flower or the sun feels so warm on my skin that without thinking I smile and say "thank you" out loud for anyone or no one to hear.  When I see a stray cat or dog, I pray to help them find food or shelter or a home.

I have to admit that the prayers are answered...eventually. And as pain full as it is to admit, sometimes the prayers are not answered the way I WANT them to be answered. I subscribe to two thoughts on the subject of answering prayers.  First, God answers prayers on Her own time table, not mine. And second, sometimes She says "no". Still, I keep on praying. It's what I do. When I tell you that you're in my prayers...you really are!

I believe that prayer works...give it a try...