how to pray

Good morning, God.

I love this time of day so much. The frosted grass sparkling in the light of sunrise. Cold now and warm later, I’m dressed in layers. Birds are calling and singing and gathering their breakfast.

It’s a time when I can talk with you about all the stuff I’m worried about, all the things I’m frightened of and even the things I’m excited for. When my thoughts turn to worries and fears I can sometimes hear you reassure me. Sometimes I’m too in myself to hear you right then, but you never quit trying to get my attention. Never quit trying to answer me.

I told a friend about our walks. She said talking with you like this isn’t right. She said talking with God is prayer and the way I do it isn’t respectful enough and I wonder if she is right. I’d never thought about that before. Is there a right way to pray? Is there a wrong way? I’ll have to think on that.

I read about an article about praying. The author sits in prayer for an hour or two and the answers are revealed to her. I try to sit in prayer for way less than that and I fall asleep. I’m pretty sure that’s not the right way to pray. At least not for me. Walking here, in the middle of your creation, on the grass you planted, surrounded by the birds you created with the sun warming my body, feels like the perfect way to pray.

Can you tell me sometime, if I should pray differently? Until you do, I guess I’ll keep doing it this way.

Thanks for listening.