A Prayer To Know How To Restart A Stalled Relationship With God

Lots of chatter these days here in Canada about Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta plans for processes to reopen the economy.  Cases numbers are still pretty high and vaccinations are stalled across the country so there’s no small amount of opinions about whether these are wise or foolish decisions.  Only time gives us the context.

Many of the sermons I’ve been exposed to in the past few weeks have had some call for us to look at what has grown stale in our relationship with God and to consider what needs doing to freshen it up – a bit like starting up a stalled economy.  Where has our spiritual life been stalled? 

Have our habits gotten changed around with the very different schedules the pandemic has brought into our lives? Are we still finding quiet time with God to read His Word, listen to His heart, and to speak to Him in prayer?

One of the little meditations I’ve been reading for a few weeks has included this prayer recently at the beginning of each day:

God of every blessing, in this new season, I invite You to shape my soul with Your words and inspire my life through Your works.  Teach me to walk in the way of blessing. Amen

It’s difficult for us to know blessing, to be changed by God’s word and inspired to act as God would act if we aren’t taking time to be exposed to what God is actually saying and what He has revealed. 

In Psalm 69 we are reminded:

The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. For the Lord hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people.  Psalm 69:32-33

Well, Lord, these few words remind me that when we don’t take time for You we are actually being quite arrogant, assuming that our own very limited view of life is sufficient, or even superior, to what You would show us if would take time to consult You.  Holy Spirit, help us today – and many times throughout this day – to take the time to pause and see You and work, to rejoice in who You are, what You are doing and how we can be a part of that. 

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24

We are so grateful for even these simple reminders that we are not part of something random and out of control that is happening to us and in the wider world, but that You, our creator have made us, made this day, and done so in such a way that we could be glad in it.  We want to bring all our fears, our worries, and our frustrations to You so You can sort out where we are trusting You and where we are trusting our own insufficient knowledge and strength.  In humility we want to let go of all the thoughts that send us to a place where we are not living in simple trust in Your goodness, and then responding with expressions of our gratitude and blessing.

The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. For the Lord hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people.  Psalm 69:32-33

There’s no doubt that we need Your help, but You promise to help to us when we cry out to You.  You don’t despise us for being weak or for not learning a lesson quickly enough.  You meet us in this day, even during a time that seems like we are somewhat imprisoned people, and You hear us and respond with loving care and help.  When we are weak, You are strong.  We are not the first ones to come to You with this kind of request.  With the prophet Isaiah we pray:

LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”  Isaiah 33:2

With young Timothy we affirm that we can face this day well:

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”  2 Timothy 1:7

And so God, we want to be simple, humble, trusting, and seeking today.  In order to do that we know Lord Jesus that we need to respond to Your invitation and come to You and learn from You.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.  Matthew 11:28-30

As another writer has given us words we pray:

Help us to live this day to the full, being true to You in every way.  Help us to give ourselves away to others, being kind to everyone we meet.  Help us to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all we do and say. Amen