The theme of pray wait watch calls us to start with prayer. For many who are just beginning their recovery journey, it can be challenging to start praying or to return to prayer. Some individuals even experience a general fear of praying, unsure if God will listen or care about what they have to say.
“We found the God does not make too hard terms for those who seek Him. To us, the Realm of the Spirit is broad and roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive or forbidding, to those who earnestly seek.” – Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 46. Reading this for the first time was huge for me. It gave me permission to seek God without restrictions. legalism or someone else’s influence or ideology.
The Practice of Prayer
In the book, “Drop the Rock”, Bill P. writes:
“Prayer is of no use when it is not used. Prayer is not only a matter of belief; it is a matter of practice. We can’t get caught up in the trap of Dogma or method. Prayer is not about right or wrong or “should” or “only”. It is about a personal or individualized way to talk with God or our Higher Power or Universal Energy or collective unconsciousness or whatever we want to call it. Prayer is not about someone else telling us how to pray or what to say. It is about communication.”
Bill P. emphasizes a conversation with God, unscripted and genuine. For me, there are many ways to contact God: I can take walks in nature, cry, laugh, shout, sing, write, read, or meditate. Each person has the freedom to choose what works best for them and their situation. No matter the method, remember that God is always waiting to hear from you.
Prayer as Intimacy
I have prayers that I use in times of need, fear, pain, gratitude, joy, thanksgiving, and more. Prayer is a time for intimacy with God—it is my personal time with Him. I value the time I spend in prayer and try to begin my day in prayer every morning.
“But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and the Father who sees in secret will reward you.” – Mathew 6:6
Jesus encourages us not just to spend quiet time with him, but also to pray sincerely—from the heart and in private, undisturbed. He assures us that this kind of prayer is especially rewarding. This doesn’t mean we can’t pray with family or in groups; rather, it highlights the importance of being genuine when we pray.
Prayer as Petition
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” – Mathew 7:7
In this verse, Jesus teaches that if we confidently bring our true needs to Him—much like a child talking to a father—God will respond, though sometimes in ways we do not anticipate.
Imagine this scenario: Little Emily is standing at the counter looking up at her mother while pointing at the cupboard where she knows a box of cookies are hidden away. The mother ignores Emily’s begging for cookies as she prepares her dinner. Emily makes her request louder, but her mother simply gazes down at her daughter, not saying a word. Emily looks away, shrugs her shoulders, and pouts because she is not receiving the answers she wants. Her mother is fully aware of what is in her best interest and has already provided a definitive response. Sometimes God’s silence is the answer.
This story reminds us that while we may not always receive the answers we desire, God’s silence or response is often rooted in what is truly best for us. Just as Emily doesn’t always get what she asks for, I too have learned that God’s answers may come in unexpected ways, even though He remains silent.
The key is to ask, seek, and knock—otherwise, we may never find out.