One of the many Bible verses I was taught to memorize as a child was 1st Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray without ceasing." Means never stop praying. For roughly a year now, I have been using the sanding booth at work as my "prayer closet," and 90% of my prayers are prayed in there. I listen to a variety of podcasts and pray while I sand away defects on roof rack parts.
So when I was taken out of the booth and sent to the buffing department I wasn't a very happy camper. Not only am I not a huge fan of buffing but for safety reasons you cannot have your earbud in for podcasts, music or whatever else one might listen to. Needless to say, I was feeling a little out of place. I was taken out simply because we wanted to train more people on how to sand the part that I sand.
Now, because of what I learned as a child and now as an adult about the Christian faith, I know that God is always with me and that I can pray anywhere I like. And for that I a grateful. But I still have to remind myself of that truth. One morning, I was praying while I loaded the dishwasher before work. I prayed and told God that I know He hears me everywhere I go and is always with me. Yet it still felt awkward praying outside of my prayer closet at work. Later that day at work, the Holy Spirit told me that I was treating the sanding booth as a temple from biblical times. I was getting religious about it and reminded me that I can pray everywhere I go. As usual, when the Holy Spirit told me I was treating it like a temple I responded with, "Shots fired." I hadn't realized that I had become religious about it. Which is the last thing I ever desire to be.
Now, I know I can pray in my heart in the buffing department. But because I am "on display" at my buffing table versus the sanding booth with four walls, I feel awkward praying at the buffing table. Which of course is the enemy attacking and trying to discourage me from talking to my heavenly Father in public.
It's at these times when I am struggling with the location of where I pray. Think that God can hear me better in some places over other places. When I get into this head space I remind myself of all the places I have stood in both publically and privately where God has answered my prayers and spoken to my heart. I find this to be a rather encouraging and helpful practice. Because it reminds my soul and the enemy that My God is always with me and is for me.
It's funny, this past February, my mother and I were talking about the early church in the Bible and how the people had to go to the temple to pray to God. When Jesus ascended into Heaven after He died and rose again, He sent the Holy Spirit to be our helper and counsellor until Jesus came back for us. It is through the Holy Spirit that we pray to our Heavenly Father and hear His voice in our hearts and all the other wonderful ways He speaks to us. During this conversation, Mom and I were agreeing about how thankful we are to have the Holy Spirit living in us and giving us direct access to our Heavenly Father. And yet, this past week, I forget that location does not take away our access to the Holy Spirit. I also really missed listening to podcasts. They help make the time go by nicely. Buffing is so slow and boring. Sanding is not exactly, but it is a much faster pace and entertainment through an earbud is a bonus.
The moral of the story though friend, is that God hears us no matter where we are. Yes, we are called to have a private place to pray. Matthew 6:5-8, "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reared in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
My understanding of this passage is that when we pray in public we are not to be loud and seek the attention of others. One of the ways we identify as Christians is by praying in public, but not loudly and obnoxiously. We are also called to pray in our homes behind closed doors and simply pour out our hearts to our heavenly Father who hears us. Also, the length of our prayers doesn't matter to God. God hears and loves our prayers that are five words long or five pages long. Both are beautiful to His heart.
The other day a friend/loyal reader of my blog and I were discussing it. We agreed that it is a ministry that God has trusted me with, to which I am honoured to "produce" and deliver to you, reader. We also agreed and had a good laugh over the fact that the content of my blog is about me being stupid and the Holy Spirit and at times a combination of the Holy Spirit and my dear hubby correcting me and directing me back to The Cross.
I have enjoyed writing since I was a little girl. When I was little I wrote fiction about dogs. I fell away from this interest in my teen years mainly because I wasn't sure what to write about. I started blogging a few years ago but again wasn't consistent due to a lack of content. But over the last year and especially the last five months, God has stirred up my passion for writing and has given me lots of content aka my shortcomings 😂 to encourage you, friend. And has affirmed that it is a ministry for me and for that I am blessed.
I pray this post finds you well this evening and ready for another work week. I pray this blesses you, and encourages you in your walk with Christ, friend.
Have a good night friend.
God Bless
~Hannah
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