Livin on a Prayer

And no I don't mean the classic Bon Jovi song...sorry :)

Prayer can be such an awesome thing.  But I didn't always think that.  I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic schools.  And although as a Catholic you learn all of the normal prayers..."Our Father", "Hail Mary", "Act of Contrition", "Apostle's Creed" etc.  But it wasn't until I started dating Mr.Mac that I realized prayer can be so much more than reciting (if you will) a given prayer.

I learned how to pray all over again.  You see Mr.Mac writes his prayers.  Every night before he goes to bed he gets out a spiral notebook and writes his prayers to God in the form of a letter...kinda.  When we started dating and I started going to church with him I was (and still am) a baby Christian.  This was a whole new look on religion for me.  I was going to build a personal relationship with God, and I was pumped!  But I had NO IDEA where to begin.  That's when Mr. Mac told me about his prayer journal.  Just so you have an idea of how long he has been doing this...we have a closet 2 shelves FULL of old journals! Front and back of pages!

So I started my journal, and at first I again had NO IDEA WHAT TO PRAY FOR!!!!  I would sit and stare at the blank page.  Now I had numerous diaries growing up, but they were full of boy talk and silly things.  This seemed so much more important to me...this was a relationship on the line and an important one at that.  I started simple.  Giving thanks to God for all He has done for me and given me.  I prayed for my relationship with Him that it would grow and that I would grow as a Christian woman.  Over time I got more comfortable in my prayers and I found myself just talking to God throughout the day.  About anything and everything!  For Him to get me through the last hours of work,  I would pray for other people if I heard something that needed prayer. Just all sorts of stuff.  As Mr.Mac and my relationship grew more serious I learned to pray for him, as my partner, and spiritual leader, that he would have a good day, and that he would continue to grow in his profession. 

I started feeling like I was building this relationship I was longing for.  I was feeling like my cup was getting full!  Then in the beginning of this year I had a health scare, and that took us (me and Mr.Mac) for the ride of our lives.  And it changed my power of prayer tenfold.  I dove into God's word and search for a feeling of ease, and contentment.  It was during these intense couple of weeks that I began to not only feel God but I felt like he was talking to me, reassuring me that He is in control and His plans are perfect.  Ya it was an awful time for us but I have never felt so at peace with my life and my husband before.  It.was.amazing!

After that experience my prayer life has changed for the better.  Mr. Mac and I are currently in the process of buying a house.  The house is a short sale and it has been taking forever.  The thing about short sales is that you are at the mercy of the banks and have absolutely no idea when you will hear back from the bank either accepting your offer or whatnot.  This house is perfect!  It is my dream house and it is all I can think of.  But right now it is all up to God and His timing.  Mr. Mac and I pray together every night about the house and that situation.  Only He knows the outcome and we have to trust in Him for His plan.  We are living on a prayer right now.  And it feels safe! 

Last night I thought to myself, I really want to grow in my praying so I am going to read "The Power of A Praying Wife"  I know that Mr. Mac is our spiritual leader but there is something to said about a strong Christian woman praying for her husband :)