Prayer Thoughts
jo Crosby
In the front pages of my study Bible I have these words: STRIP Prayer. They may seem odd, inappropriate, and/or lewd; however, they are not meant to be. They are simply written there as a reminder that my deepest growth, joy, and peace comes when my heart STRIPs in prayer before my God. I gain nothing by pretending, defending, or avoiding the real issues I need to discuss with my God. I gain him when I say it all – the good, the bad, and the very ugly. And friend, He is Enough…. As a teacher, I’ve worked on how and when to teach this STRIP prayer. In today’s blog, I hope I figured it out:
“Stripped to the bone!” We understand the meaning of these words; they lead us to conjure mental pictures of being bare, exposed, and naked of flesh. Being both vulnerable and visible to the bare bones is an experience we often avoid and fear. It is not the nature of our flesh heart to embrace the exposure that comes with being stripped – stripped of defenses and pretenses. However, it is the nature of a transformed heart.
Since the garden, God has never shied away from dealing with the uncovered heart of his children. The heart is his favorite place to get down to business! Through grace, God woos, pursues, cleans, and redeems.
A heart transformed by God’s grace, welcomes being stripped to the bone by him. There is no fear in perfect love. Therefore, come my friend to the Lord of All in prayer. Let Abba love you. Let the Almighty plunder through every square inch of your heart. Throw away the “off limits” signs. Stop hiding. Stop letting shame keep you from seeking his face. Trust him. Thank him. Love others. Worship. In prayer, embrace the stripping away of everything to the One whom is Lord of All.
Here is my simple STRIP Prayer formula; may it lead you toward his grace and peace.
STRIP Prayer…
S --- say it all/confess it all/ hold nothing back
T --- true thanksgiving
R---requests
I --- intercession
P – praise and adoration
Blessings,
Jo