“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” – Jesus (Matthew 11: 28)
The Holy Spirit and I have this little thing that we do. It has happened often enough that I really do believe God has a hand in it. When I have a rough time at work or school or even arguments with friends or family, and I get in my car and turn on the radio – not my phone playing through the stereo or a fancy satellite radio or a CD – just a radio station with a DJ picking the songs, will play “Nothing’s gonna stop us now” by Starship. Immediately, I am in a better mood. I sing along as loud as I can sometimes with tears running down my face relishing the words and the music.
This is not poetry. It doesn’t have a great message of God’s love and yet, God knows how it makes me feel and gives it to me, when I need it. Belting out the simple words that “nothing’s gonna stop me now” helps me turn the ignition in my car and move onto the next thing.
I think it’s important to be praying about the big things: the suffering of the world, our nation, and world peace. And sometimes, God does come through with miraculous healings, discoveries, and new leadership right when they are needed. In my experience of faith, though, it is much more common that God shows up with unexpected and beautiful gifts. Praying to God is always worth the time and energy, because it can bring wisdom, comfort, and power to us when we need them the most.
Prayer doesn’t have to be prescribed words (although that is fine too). Prayer can be drawing or coloring a picture. It can be walking in nature. It can be singing songs that you love. It can be a project like putting together a puzzle or knitting a scarf. We can talk to God while we are cutting the grass or doing dishes. God is always listening and always caring.
You may ask, “but Pastor what do I say to God, while I am doing these things?” Words are welcome, but unnecessary with God. You can set out to do something with the intent of listening and looking for God in that prayer. The relationship isn’t just us talking and God listening. Sometimes God is communicating to us – even through such strange mediums as 80s pop music.
Beyond that, there are times when we just need to sit and be with God. Paul tells us in Romans 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words.” We can just sit still and know that God is God. Often, just knowing that there is something more than the pains and frustrations of this world, is enough to keep us going.
