I hate to pray.

OK, hate's too strong a word. But I wanted to get your attention. Got it? Good. I struggle with prayer.

There are lots of reasons. I didn't grow up praying. I've never had a prayer role model. I often find myself, while praying, asking God "do You care that I'm doing this?" I'm busy and it's inconvenient.

I've got all the excuses, all the reasons not to pray.

But I keep at it. I got over the hump back in seminary and figured out that I can't live without it. Like eating my vegetables or something. I know that's not a great way of trying to convince you to pray, but I'm just bein' honest here.

Then, this week, I was speaking with a Marble member about her prayer life. And she said, "when I pray, it's like lightning in slow motion..." Lightning in slow motion! Wow! What a wonderful image? This brilliant, powerful discharge of energy that is drawn out over a period of time... The phrase resonated for me. When my prayer life is richest, it IS an experience of the power and love of God (which most of us only experience in bright, short flashes) DRAWN OUT... in slooooow motion.

Will you commit to prayer every day this coming week? Spend 10 minutes—5 minutes thanking God for what you have (and being quiet if you don't fill up 5), and 5 minutes asking for God's help for yourself, your loved ones, and for the world's problems.

See... see... if there aren't one or two moments that feel like lightning in slow motion: the love of God made real for you to behold.