I listen when people pray, I listen to the words and phrases they use in genuine, unscripted prayer. I take the best things I hear and use them in my prayer.

As we stood in a parking lot, holding hands in the moments before a ministry opportunity, I heard the man next to me, without hesitation, launch the prayer.

“Lord, we invite you to join us … “

There’s a phrase I need to use more often.  Lord, I invite you into this day, into this morning, into this hour. Lord, I invite you to join us in our worship service this morning, at work today, at school today, at soccer practice today, into this Zoom committee meeting,  into this lunch with my mother, into this rehearsal, into this Bible study, into this hour as I mow the lawn.

His presence in our lives is constant, but sharing an invitation raises my awareness of His willingness, His availability, His expectation. When the man in the prayer circle invited God into our journey, there was a greater Light for me into the possibilities in front of us.

“Lord, fill the spaces in our lives … “

Fill the spaces.  I heard that phrase as a youth pastor closed a gathering of high school students in prayer.

I have spaces. Too often, anxiety or fear fill those spaces. Anger and frustration fill those spaces. Defeat and disappointment fill those spaces. But God, if I ask Him, will fill those spaces with confidence and purpose and hope and Light.

“Lord, show us … “

This was a high school student’s prayer after 20 of us had talked about sharing faith with friends and family, with teammates and classmates. What do you say? When to you say it? How often do you return to the conversation? Our answers were incomplete and a little unsatisfying.

“Lord, show us … “

We needed God’s help. We needed His Light.  The high school freshman invited God into our lives, asked Him to fill our spaces. His prayer repeated “Show us” at least four times.  It was so encouraging to hear a young person recognize our need for more Light.

I listen when people pray.   

(Photo by Bill Utterback)