Praying Within The Spirit Flow

I've written here about prayer many times but I've been thinking lately some prayer-related things that I'm going to share over the next couple of days.  

In my life as a pastor, I've had more than a few occasions when I've been asked to pray at some function or another.  I've prayed at death beds and sick beds.  I've prayed over luncheons, dinners, programs, and events.  

And I've definitely said my fair share of prayers in worship services, youth meetings, Sunday school classes, Bible studies, and church board meetings. 

I've also prayed at city council and county commission meetings, at community groundbreaking ceremonies, interfaith services, and memorials. I've prayed over dedications to new buildings, parks, playgrounds, and even a house or two.  

Additionally, I'm often asked to offer private prayers for people or to pray out loud for an individual at the moment they've asked me.  

I have a lot of practice praying, in other words.  So it may surprise you to hear me say that I still wonder sometimes just how effective my prayers are.  

Like many of you, I often ask the questions: Are my prayers even heard?  Do they make any difference?  What happens when we pray? 

After a great deal of study, I've grown convinced that one of the most beautiful things that happen when we pray is we have the opportunity to enter into the flow of the Holy Spirit. 

I have also come to believe that the Spirit is the divine energy that flows in, through and all around us, and is also what connects us with one another and the World.  

So when we fervently enter into the flow of Spirit through prayer something incredible happens: The people we are praying for can actually feel the prayers at some level.  

The great Lebanese poet Khalil Gibran once wrote: 

When you pray, you rise to meet in the air those who are praying at that very hour and whom, except in prayer, you may not meet.  

How cool is that to think about?  Every time you pray, you have the chance to be connected to others--to those who are praying with you, and those for whom you happen to be praying.  

Practice being connected today as you pray.  Be mindful of your prayers and how they are being loosed into the universe, powered by the Spirit and energized to transform.  

And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and always.