Praying Always

Tom Barnard

 

“Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit.”

(Ephesians 6:18)

 

“Dear God, so often in my prayers I present You with my own agenda. I ask for guidance, and strength, and courage to do what I’ve already decided. Usually, what I have in mind is to receive from You what I think I need to get on with my prearranged plans. Often I present my shopping list of the blessings that I have in mind for my projects, many of which I may not have checked out with You in the first place. Sometimes I have little time to talk to You or listen to You. Any blessing I receive is empty unless I also receive a deeper fellowship with You.”  – Lloyd John Ogilvie, in Quiet Moments with God (1997)

 

I did not purchase Ogilvie’s book just to own another of his books. I bought the book because it was for sale in a garage sale at Sheri Gilliland’s home. Sheri was selling some books from Glaphre’s library, and I wanted to own a book that Glaphre had been reading sometime before she went home to heaven.

 

What a blessing—to read words that I knew Glaphre had been reading sometime before she died! How did I know that? Simple. Glaphre had a habit of writing all over pages of books as she read them. On this page, entitled “Praying Always,” Glaphre scribbled on every line. She used checks, circles, under-lines, and even four “Xs” to highlight truths she wanted to remember. Lloyd John Ogilvie probably never met Glaphre. But he would be blessed to know that a woman of prayer was reading his prayers for her personal inspiration. I can’t tell you what Glaphre’s scribbles meant to her, but God knows. And that’s all I need to know. “Praying at all times” worked for Glaphre. I want it to work for me, too.

 

Here is the rest of Dr. Ogilvie’s prayer that Glaphre read that day. I think I will make it mine for today.

 

“Help me to think of prayer throughout this day as simply reporting in for duty and asking for fresh marching orders. I want to be all that You want me to be, and I want to do what You have planned for me. May this morning prayer be the beginning of a conversation with You that lasts all through the day. Help me to attempt something I could not do without Your power. You are my Lord and Savior. Amen.”