Prescription for a Prayer Problem

by Donna J. Woodring

“Please Lord, not another one of those days!”

With head pounding and stomach churning, I wondered, “Does this mean no devotions again today? How long can I keep spiritual this way? After walking with God for thirty years, am I going to become a defeated dropout?”

Sick headaches had become a regular part of life. To take medication and go back to bed for an hour lessened the pain and enabled me to go to work, but did not leave time for devotions.

As control operator at a Christian radio station, my job requires alertness, strong, steady nerves, and lively, cheerful speaking. After work, I felt the results of forcing those effects from a resisting body. Again in the evening, concentrated Bible reading and prayer were impossible.

The “devotionless days” happened too many times to be taken lightly. “Can I keep victorious? Can I keep useful to God?” It wouldn’t be quite so serious if I could pray later in the day, but neither physical nor mental strength would cooperate with the heart’s desire. Sick leave from my prayer closet was bound to leave me weak spiritually. I firmly believe that prayer is a channel through which the Lord trains us and builds us up in the most holy faith. The secret place of the Most High is a vital source of strength, renewal, and enlargement.

“Dear Lord, is there a solution? What can I do? I don’t want to neglect Thee and be a lukewarm Christian, but if this prayerlessness keeps up I’m bound to get weaker and weaker. There is the steadying assurance of being right in the center of Thy will regarding my work; I enjoy what You’ve given me to do, but how can I be my best for Thee when physical weakness threatens spiritual strength?” This I prayed many times.

One solution God brought to my troubled heart was: Through the day be in frequent conversation with Christ. You don’t have to be on your knees or alone to be in communion with Him. From the depths of your heart, breathe silent prayers. Tell Him you love Him, you’re happy serving Him, you want to be a blessing to others. Lift your heart in silent petition for those souls and situations especially heavy on your heart. 

These brief, heartfelt (though silent) prayers keep the doors of loving communication open between my Lord and me. They keep my heart looking to Him and depending on Him for victory.

One of the biggest changes that came to my Christian life when the Lord sanctified me was a deep love for private devotions. This privilege of communion I’ve guarded jealously. Had I become lazy or indifferent about it, my situation now would be much worse.

How I thank the Lord that He knows our hearts. Through this and other recent sicknesses I’ve found Christ to be a compassionate Shepherd who seeks to minister in special ways to those with special needs. He will not cast me off as an unprofitable servant when my heart is reaching out for His fellowship, and desiring to obey Him in all things.

I’m sure He’s put it on the heart of others to pray for me. I’ve felt the effects of it — sometimes while sitting in the control room at the radio station, sometimes while driving, or while walking along our quiet country road. It’s hard to describe the thrill of God’s presence refreshing my soul right in the midst of a busy day. It warms and melts my heart and reminds me of bright sunshine after a week of gray days. How good to have a Heavenly Father who understands when I can’t pray, and lovingly leads someone else to lift me to the throne of grace. What a lesson for me to remember when he urges me to pray for others.

At times I’ve wondered if Satan causes me to be too sick to pray in order to defeat me. Should I resist him and force myself to my usual full hour of devotions? More recently I’ve wondered, “Did God have to allow sickness to come my way to teach me about that sweet continuation of communion with Him through hectic, stressful days?”

I do not have all the answers to my prayer problems yet, but I still have my God. I’m more convinced than ever that He is able to strengthen those who are weak and keep that which I’ve committed to Him.

 

Originally published in May 11, 1986 edition of the Evangel.