Prayer —
An earnest hope or wish
A solemn request for help
An expression of thanks addressed to God

So often we subscribe to the belief that prayer must be perfect and eloquent,
That we must include specific words and phrases to be heard, then question our worthiness

God, Who am I to come to You?
With my hopes and wishes and cries for help
Asking you to change this hand I’ve been dealt

You know my words before they leave my lips, my thoughts before they form
And yet You want to hear my every word, You have since I was born

So why do I tarry in reaching for you?
Patiently waiting for that moment I do

Graciously you let the conversation be one-sided
A monologue from me, as I realize I’ve been misguided
Flood gates release a torrent of all I tried to hold
In pride and shame, until I remember Your love is bold

You gather each petition and plea, gently in your hand
You draw me up from my knees, inviting me to stand
Firm in your truth, you meet me exactly where I am

You say “oh child, come near”
So You can hold all my hurts and all my fears
The heavy weight I carried all these years

You see my aching heart and hold it tenderly
Your peace washing over, surrounding me

You invite me in deeper, to rid me of my myself,
Forsaking my flesh I’ve kept hidden on the shelf
Making room for you to flood my heart
Filling every crevice, your light casting out dark

But there’s something more to prayer —
Not just an earnest hope or wish
A solemn request for help
Or expression of thanks addressed to you, God

But a space for stillness
To hear you speak and experience your goodness

It requires me to embrace your invitation
To be still and know, without hesitation
That you are working all things
I need not worry what tomorrow brings
That your will, will be done
As sure as the rising and setting of the sun

You want it to be constant, but you’ve given me a choice
To lean into your presence, to turn my ear to your voice

You want me to talk, but you want me to listen
I need help quieting my mind, to stop me from drifting

I’m learning to hear your life giving whisper
To keep me from spinning like a top off kilter

Each prayer is a knock, then stepping through your doors
Asking You shape my desires into yours

You quiet my mind, the thunderous roar no longer shouts
You calm the swirling storm of lies, fears, and threatening doubts
You disarm my urge to reclaim control
You bring silence to my flesh, and my heart you make whole
You anchor my mind in your perfect peace
Your presence commanding the turbulence to cease

The encounters are beautiful, though my words may be messy
Revealing the depths of my soul with unfiltered honesty

Fostering space for an exchange in the heart
A posture ushering grace and abiding to start
Arms stretched wide, face turned where angels trod
Prayer — the intentional pursuit of communion with God

01.09.23

I had the honor of reciting this poem at my church’s worship night. Over the past few years, my understanding and practice of prayer has been transformed from a “last resort / ask God for help when needed,” to a daily, almost constant conversation with Him. It is far from perfect, but it has become deeply personal and thus transformational in my life as I have been learning to listen and not just talk. This poem was birthed from reflecting on how prayer has changed (in) my life.

I pray it is an encouragement to you.

Watch my poem recitation

This is the full Ignite service, which is full of wonderful worship. (My poem recitation is at min 33:43)