Prayer as Passionate Communion

I consider my walk with Him constantly. Every whisper is analyzed. Every stray thought brought into subjection to His Will. I take them captive, forging them into obedience. I strive constantly to do what pleases Him.

All that being said, my friends — I’ll tell you a secret:

I still screw up nearly everything.

Today was one such day. My prayers were interrupted not once, but at least three times. I always silence my phone and toss it to the other side of the bed when I’m praying, but today I heard it ringing and checked. It wasn’t a failure to God, but to my own aspiration toward holiness.

Then my two dogs came bounding in — barking and wild, leaping onto the bed with abandon, heckling each other in what could only be described as joyful chaos.

At first glance, it doesn’t seem like a big deal. But for me, it is. I have to actively try to be present when I enter prayer. If I don’t, I fall into the same snare as before — letting my mind wander, losing focus, distracted by every small thing that pulls my attention from Him.

Even when silence returns, a subtler distraction waits.

Another pitfall I run into is this:

I sometimes catch myself letting prayer turn into a list — a litany, maybe even a checklist. Once every name and need was mentioned, I’d stop.

I noticed myself zoning out while the words were leaving my mouth. Then the Father spoke without words, whispering…

“Let it be new each day.”

In that moment, I learned that prayer can have structure, but it must always remain open to the movement of the Holy Spirit. We need not reinvent the catechisms or the Lord’s Prayer, but we must be present — engaged — aware.

If our prayers are formulaic, they must still burn with personal meaning, keeping us mindful and connected in communion with the Father.

I fall into this trap every single day.

Mindfulness — true awareness — is what grounds us in His Presence.

It also requires brutal honesty: admitting where we fall short.

Me admitting that I slip into rote religiosity nearly every day should tell you how easy it is to do.

Hold this truth close:

Prayer must never be performance.

Prayer must be interaction.

Prayer must be engagement.

Prayer is communication.

Us speaking is not the only part of prayer — just the easiest part.

Prayer is listening. Always.

Prayer is meant to be constant.

I pray when I dream.

I pray when I sleep.

I pray when I drive.

I pray when I weep.

I pray when I hurt.

I pray when I die.

I pray when I fear.

I pray when I need.

I pray when I love.

I pray when I lose.

I pray when I break.

I pray when I rejoice.

I pray when I thank.

I pray before I eat.

I pray when I meet a new soul.

I pray for the world.

I pray for the lost.

I pray for His return.

I pray for the saints of ages old.

I pray for the Lamb —

That I might meet Him in the skies.

I pray for you, Beloved. Yes, you.

As you read, know this is my prayer.

As always

Dust,

To you,

For you,

From Him,

In me.

If this resonated within you, or you recognize in your own times of prayer, struggles, please feel free to comment so we can walk through it together.