I’m joining Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt. Five minutes. No editing. Lots of women. All of us writing on that same word. For the month of October, I will incorporate the word prompts into my series, 31 Days Of Going In Circles.
Today’s word is ….
Ever notice how a night can be long? All you need is a night, or a span of nights, where sleep is elusive and the night seems to be endless. As if morning will never come. The night is long.
I can well remember walking the floors with our first born baby, who was colicky for what seemed like – a long time. We walked the floors, rocking her at night for hours, until she would finally fall asleep. The night was long and the morning would come too quickly. But the moment, when we would get to lay her gently down in her crib, was the sweetest sense of accomplishment.
It was in that moment our hearts would swell with love for this little human. We would realize so much about ourselves – our love for her, our hopes, our dreams, our responsibility, our fears, our inabilities.
Prayer is sort of like that. It is hard work and can seem long. Even Jesus upon praying in the Garden of Gethsemane found his disciples asleep … “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?”, He asked.
Praying through a trying or difficult time seems long … long in duration of the time. Long for God to respond. Long to find relief.
But long in this as well – I discover anew how long is His love for me. For each of us.
“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.” (Ephesians 3:18, NLT)
It is as this understanding of His long love for me develops, in which I find I am being made complete –
“Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life, and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:19, NLT)
Prayer is long.
It teaches me of His long love for me
and
makes me complete in Him.
This is Day 17 of 31 Days Of Going In Circles. You can find the entire series here .
Today I am joining … Five Minute Friday and Everyday Jesus and Friendship Fri. and Fellowship Fri. and Faith Filled Fri. and Faith & Fellowship and Blessing Counters .
Oh, such a beautiful message: Prayer is long, but it teaches me of his long love for me. Thanks for this today! Great post!
Always encouraging to have you here. May we remember how long His love is for us! Have a great weekend!
I’m so glad His love is forever! These days may see, LONG now…but, they’re not!
Yes, while the days seem long, they pass quickly. Enjoy each one He gives you to the fullest!
I love that–prayer is long. Yes it is–it’s our longest and most important conversation!
Anita, love that you wrote it is our most important conversation as that also includes us listening and not only talking. May we listen to His voice well.
I have a three month old, so I’m feeling those long nights!
His love for us is long and unending. Amen!
You are surely discovering how long a night can be. May you have the energy to get through this time. Know that you will. And rest while they rest so you both make it through each day. Blessings!
We would realize so much about ourselves ”“ our love for her, our hopes, our dreams, our responsibility, our fears, our inabilities.—Yesss. Just that.
It is amazing how much a baby will reveal about ourselves. They grow us as much as we grow them. Enjoy these days!
You definitely did “long” justice. Prayer IS long. Sometimes it’s hard and exhausting and the most exciting and exhilarating thing we can ever do. (And great way to kill two birds with one post!)
Love that you wrote while prayer it is hard it is the most exciting thing we can ever do. It truly is especially when we see the way in which God responds.
Thank you on the killing 2 birds with 1 post 🙂 Had to do something to switch it up a bit & keep me going 🙂
I had a terrible night without sleep the other night. I love your reminder of however long the night . . . His love is longer. Trust His promises and turn to Him in prayer. Truth-filled hope!
So grateful, Deb, that His love is always longer! Hold onto Him!
I always feel like I stink at praying, but I am getting there!
Know that you cannot stink at prayer. Our God delights in hearing every word you speak to Him and to His ears it is all beautiful! Keep praying!
The miracle of words ~ how is it that long sounds so much more friendly than perseverance or patience? I shall prefer to remember it in this way when prayer’s answer is yet distant.
That is so true! Prayer’s answer may seem to be distant but may we remember it is on the way!
I sometimes think that God is like a mother with a colicky baby. He comforts us and holds us until we are relaxed enough to continue a little without him.
So grateful for His hold and comfort! Thank you joining me on this journey!
Such a beautiful twist on a rather typical word. I remember those long nights– and still have them with my tiny human sometimes. Thankful that God well surpasses and “long” tough moments in life. Thanks, dear Joanne!
Sharita, even though mine are long grown, I still have long nights at times. I am still grateful He is right there with me in the long. And He is with you as well! Blessings!
Beautiful message dear friend! I need to spend longer time in prayer; how refreshed and blessed I feel when I take the time to talk to God! He answers every question, every doubt, and rejoices over my gratitude! 💕
Happy weekend!
Denise
Denise, your last sentence is such truth! May we both remember what occurs when we pray. So glad you shared!