~ "Blah, blah, blah..."

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (Matt 6:7)

In my book I wrote about the prayers I learned as a child. I knew them well; I still know them: "After all, they were as just as much a part of me as my name and my ability to read and write." I don't pray those prayers any more.

Today when I pray - I talk to God. I talk to him as if I were talking to a friend at my kitchen table. I tell him what I think I need (he always knows better). I don't fill my prayers with "thee's and thou's"; I tell him like it is! I thank him immediately when he blesses me and yes, sometimes I get angry and shout at him. I laugh and I cry sometimes.

God knows everything in my heart (as he knows everything in yours). For me, today, it's about giving praise! Someday I may be able to just say "thank you, God, for everything" and leave it at that, knowing he knows my needs - but that hasn't happened yet. I still communicate my wants and desires as well as my needs. I still pray the "Lord's Prayer" (which in Matthew is 6:9-13) but only when I read that part of that gospel. My prayers are conversations with God. I can't sit in church and recite a script written by men over and over. I want to hear about God through the sermon, worship God through the music and praise God with my fellow Christians!

Today when something makes you smile, just say "Thank you, God". If you should encounter an unpleasant situation, again, just say "Thank you, God" (because your situation could be far worse than it actually is). If you need guidance - yes, just say "Thank you, God" -- he knows!

(photo by Celia Darrigo)