Draw the Circle - Day 20 - Go. Set. Ready.

"He [Abraham] did not know where he was going." - Hebrews 11:8

Half way there!

Half way to a regular, intentional, daily, persevering prayer life.

Don't give up.  

Even if you've missed or messed up, keep at it.

Even if you feel awkward or unsure, stay with it.

Even if you don't notice anything different, rest assured you are changing and your prayers are being heard.

There is a promised land waiting for you.  You may not even have a picture of it yet, but God knows.  God wants to bring you into a deeper relationship where prayer and asking God are as natural as a conversation between long-time friends.

I'm a fast starter, not a great sustainer, but this blog and my call to encourage you is keeping me pressing on.

If this were the 1600 meter run, we'd be halfway to finish - two laps down, two to go -  a precarious place to be.  The oxygen reserves are gone - muscle cells start to fatigue.  There's a temptation to stop running because it hurts, but further down the track, with just a few more paces, you'll get past the struggle.  Some call it a "runner's high."  You'll start to zone, the outside world will fade and the rhythm of your shoes hitting the pavement will put you in a trance.  You'll stop thinking about running and just start thinking.

So it is with our prayer lives.  You won't great at this off the bat.  It takes time and perseverance and practice, but I guarantee, you will break through.

Break through to intimacy with God.

If you're struggling, put on some praise music.  Ponder the cross.  Start a list of things you are thankful for.  Read a Gospel story and put yourself in the narrative - be one of the characters.  Read Scripture and insert your name into the verses . . . "For God so loved Stan that he gave his one and only son . . . for God did not send his Son into the world to condemn Stan but that Stan through Jesus could be saved."

Distracted with the day's tasks?  Keep a pad nearby and "dump" your distracting thoughts there.  Use a prayer journal - writing will slow you down but also keep you focused.  Write your prayer requests on 3x5 cards and shuffle through them, writing notes on them if you receive a new insight or revelation or promise.

Kids interrupting?  Invite them to pray with you - a teaching moment - both modeling and participating.  Who knows?  Your child might teach you something about faith.

What obstacles to prayer are you facing?  Don't be afraid to share - here.  We can help one another with suggestions and encouragement.

Keep drawing circles.  Don't drop out.  Your're moments away from breakthrough.