Modern
Day Samaritan Woman
A
Test in Obedience – 31 Days
Head
Covering / Prayer Room / Facing Giants
Day
5 – 6: WHITE NOISE/DISTRACTION
This
period fell over a Friday and Saturday and I discovered that my weekends are clearly
overfilled with things to complete and accomplish. (Everything that does not
get done during the week has to be done during the weekends). This is definitely
something I will also have to address at some point. But, for now between my
various chores and to do list, I also have to visit with my mother in the Home
for Alzheimer’s and ensure that all her needs are met for the week to follow.
I
found it difficult to fit prayer time into this time frame and when I did
manage I found myself to be distracted by all sorts of harmless but never the
less disruptive distractions.
Now
that I have set my mind on this challenge of intentional focus in prayer for 31
days, I have found that the smallest sound like a baby crying is distracting
for me. I tend to listen to the baby cry with half an ear while trying to pray,
even though I know that she is with her mother and quite alright, I still
listen.
In
addition, the various voices in my head (don’t
all woman have them) also prove to be a hindrance. Voices, reminding me to
check that the cat is outside, to remember to close the laundry room window and
make sure that my car is locked for the night, all vied for my attention as I
prayed. This scripture came to mind and I understood better what it meant to take
my thoughts captive.
2 Corinthians
10:5 “[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and
reasoning’s and every proud and lofty thing that sets
itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we
lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of
Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),” AMP (Emphasis my own)
The message translation translates it this way. 2
Corinthians 10: 5- 6 “… We use our powerful
God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down
barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and
emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every
obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.”
(Emphasis my own)
Another
distraction I encountered was my dogs that share my room with me. They usually
lie around, stretched over my bed in various poses of dozing, but for some
reason, tended to become quite playful and animated as soon as I put my bible
and notes aside and knelt down to begin praying. My dogs have also noticed that
I cover my head while praying, and as I attempted to pray, knelt , beside my
bed they decided it was the perfect time to attack my head and play with the
scarf fringes and knots…Chasing them away and swatting them with my hands only
made the game more attractive to them… *sigh*
It’s
interesting for me that I had never noticed these things before. I have been
praying for many years already and yet, for the first time I am becoming aware
of the need for a prayer room, (prayer closet), private quiet area in which to
pray.
Matthew 6:6“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be
tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you
can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin
to sense his grace. The Message (Emphasis my own)
Spiritual
Lesson :
In order to be more focused and less
distracted I need to create a private place in which to pray.
My family (and pets) need to know not to
interrupt me when I enter my prayer “closet”
Physical
Lesson :
Since I have started wearing a head
covering in obedience I have become more pliable to the idea of the head
covering and automatically reach for it. The head covering has assisted me in
being more aware of the things unseen (spiritual realm) when praying.
I have never really considered by gender
(while in prayer) before; however now that I am wearing the head covering, I am
very aware of my gender and how my gender relates to Gods order.
Prayer:
Father,
thank you that despite the many distractions we have, You are always
approachable and even hear the things we don’t say or forget to say, because of
these many distractions. Help us to take our thoughts and emotions captive
while in prayer with You.
In Jesus Name we pray…Amen!!!
*Hugs* till next time.
Ariéte
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