Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Pray, pray and pray again

“And he spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; ”

Luke 18:1 KJV

While going through some old books and papers recently, I found a guide I had printed off several years ago that helps you pray scriptures over your loved ones. I remembered with fondness how I had prayed these prayers fervently every day. As I read over them again, I was in awe of how God had answered many of these prayers over the years. However, I noticed that several of the seeds I had planted in prayer had either started to grow and died, or never had a chance to grow at all. 

Sadly, it hit me at that moment how many years had passed since the last time I had prayed those prayers. While I had been distracted by life's troubles and cares, that powerful piece of paper got tucked away amid other items and forgotten. Those specific, strategic requests for the life of my family had slowly ended and I didn't even notice. Meanwhile, weeds started to grow. Saplings dried out. Fruit rotted off of choked out trees. The tragedy of neglected prayer suddenly overwhelmed me with grief.

I understand that what happens in other people's lives is a result of many factors and that I can never control simply through prayer, and God will never override someone’s free will. Nonetheless, I couldn't help but think about how many situations in my family's lives could have ended in victory instead of defeat, reconciliation instead of bitterness, hope instead of heartbreak, healing instead of sickness, joy instead of despair–if I had simply been faithful and fervent in prayer. 

Thankfully, my God is ever patient as He molds me into the person, He wants me to be. Though I may have selfishly neglected my family's life-sustaining prayer garden at times, one call to the true Gardener is all I need to reinstate what started long ago. It may take some extra time as he cuts down the vines and underbrush so that good seeds can sprout and thrive again, but the wait is so worth it! 

Lord, help me never to neglect my prayer garden again, and may you fulfill your promise in my family's lives to make all things new. Amen.