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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: WEAK (07/22/21)
Sitting against the sea wall, below the tow path, I watch the water. The tide is in, creating a stillness, a quietness, water lapping near my feet. This is one of the places I go to be with God. 

As people walk past me above I listen to snippets of their conversation just small pieces of their chat. A moan about a back problem, a new coat they are wearing, problems at work, at home, a bit here and a bit there as they walk by. 

The familiar voice of my Father stops me in my tracks. I sense the smile on His face as He gently tells me that this is a bit like my prayer life with Him. A bit here and a bit there. 

I realise this is so true and tell Him I’m sorry for my lack of persistence in prayer. I start well and then within minutes I get distracted by a bleep from my phone, a thought passing through my mind and before I know it I have interrupted my time with Him. 

But, as I sit here I feel no condemnation, just a sadness and ache from Him as He knows how much more I could receive from Him if I would just give Him the time. He is patient and persists in getting my attention. Here I am, surrounded by His marvellous creation, I am aware of His mercy & grace towards me. I thank Him for His forgiveness to me for not giving Him the time and attention He deserves. 

Yet, I feel weary and weak in prayer, some prayers are more than 30 years old. But sitting here I am so aware that I am talking to the King of Kings who delights to spend time with me and has the power to change any situation with one word from His mouth. 

And He has given me His Holy Spirit who indwells me, and promises to help me pray when I struggle to find the strength or words to keep going.

 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8 26-27

My Father has given me everything I need. If only I could grasp how much He desires my attention, maybe I would be more eager to linger in His Presence. It’s not just about the asking, it’s about revelling in His Presence, enjoying Him just for who He is.

As I continue to think about this, I am reminded of a time recorded in the Bible when we get a glimpse of Jesus needing to be alone and spend time with His Father.

On one occasion, He went on a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God (Luke:6:12.)

May I crave that quality time with My Father, where I give him undivided attention, not just giving Him snatches of conversation

I notice the tide has turned and is now receding and seagulls are actively swooping down to catch fish. They are noisy and once again I am distracted from my focus on God. How easily this happens. 

‘Father please fill me today with your Holy Spirit to help me engage with You more.
I need You so much.’

It’s then that I notice that it has gone quiet behind me. No longer are people passing by. The light is fading and it’s time to walk home. I am thankful to God for sharing His heart, the gentle challenge to spend time with Him.

If His Son Jesus needed this when He was living on earth, how much more do I? 
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This article has been read 295 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Ruthie Alekseeva
07/31/21
Your article is engaging. I can't see anything that could improve what you have written. I think you should try writing in the next level up, now :)
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/02/21
This is quite beautiful. You do a wonderful job of painting a picture. The main thing I would encourage is to use actual dialog, both yours, others, and God's words. Use body language and dialog to paint a picture. For example: Leaning back, I hear the man behind me mumble, "Gracious my back aches!" I avert my eyes as he massages his hands.
Just by showing, it pulls the reader in more. My favorite part was when the MC prayed. I'd love more of that. Be careful about switching from I to We. When you use I, I can feel the connection and feel like you're sharing with me, but when you switch to We, it feels like you're assuming my feelings are the same as everyone's.
You have done a great job of sprinkling the topic throughout and delivering a clear, Christian message that many can relate to. I like the ending too. You didn't hit the reader over the head with your message but carefully showed it line by line.
Bea Edwards 
08/02/21
I thoroughly enjoyed your entry. You held me riveted with your musings, so much so I wouldn't have thought about Shann's excellent suggestions.

She nailed it! Those great ideas may have turned your entry into an EC winner...not to say it may not go there as it is.

Well done.