The Third Prayer

And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.  Matthew 26:44 (KJV)

Before we get up off of our knees and turn to other things let us consider a bit more about prayer.  It has been put forth that the fact that our Savior returned to His knees and sought the Father in prayer, helps us to see that we need be constant and bring ourselves often to God and perhaps repeat our concerns to Him there.

This may sound tedious and low on faith, but if you have had a child who was insistent, you could relate.  Your child comes to you and asks for something.  Perhaps you are busy with something else in that moment, but the child repeats its petition.  Children are like that.  The child continues to tug at your clothes and repeat again and again what they want from you.  Now our God in heaven is infinitely higher than us, but He Himself calls us our Father, so when we have an analogy like this some things may still be true to our situation with Him.

Our Father in heaven has much more patience than you and I and does not get annoyed when we bring things to Him.  In fact, He is reassured of our love by recognizing that while we are turned to Him in petition and prayer, we are spending time with Him instead of running off to secure those desired things ourselves.  The Father analogy comes up short sometimes but is beautiful in the fact that it shows us the need by both parts to direct their attention to the other and the fulfillment encountered when this occurs.

Another point which should be made is along these lines.  So many times our prayers are recited by rote.  We have our times for prayer marked and what we ask for is prescribed.  We go through the motions of thanking, petitioning and flattering without any deep personal tie to ourselves.  We are going through the routine of prayer.  We do not try to remove personal connection or sharing in the moment, but because of repetition, we lose some of the concept of walking in a garden with our Lord.

Prayer may take on many forms, but always should be done with the overwhelming sensation of His great presence there with us.  We need to learn that those moments are for us to look away to and to find Him in personal awareness.  Like being in the presence of a dear friend or a beloved family member, we should carry that same feeling of closeness when we pray.

Dear Jesus, You taught us to pray, but do not let us get caught up in the routine of it.  Help us always to find the sweet communion of Your presence.  The lifting up of You, the thanking and our asking, we would like to direct them all with heart-felt love and true sharing of our moments with You there.  Please help us to find You in these moments, to need them and revel in this time we spend together.  Flood over us with the overwhelming sensation of Your presence and our bonding, so that we become addicted to You and return for more.

Amen