Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Guest Blog- Jeanan Glazier- Big Prayers



Every month I feature a different person on the blog. This month is my dear friend Jeanan Glazier. A mother. A wife. A friend. A writer. Jeanan was born and raised in Georgia and  relocated to New York with her family later on. Jeanan is a true southern belle with northern sensibilities.



You’d think a writer would be interested in a book club, but I’ve never participated in one. Therefore, when I was recently invited to join one, my first reaction was, “No. I can’t fit this into my schedule.” However, my husband and daughters thought differently. They shooed me out of the house. It’s a good thing they did.
The book is The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. “Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears”. Read it or not. Like it or not. However, Batterson’s main idea really spoke to me. Here it is: Are you praying small prayers or big prayers?
Guess what? I’ve been praying small prayers. Why? Because when I look around: at my family, at my community, at my city, state, country, world…by the time I get to the world, my so-called problems diminish, and I’m just grateful to be an American. It’s true, but it never crossed my mind this perception also diminished my prayers.
"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." (Mark 10:51 NIV)
I think it took enormous courage for the blind man to name what he wanted. In the context of The Circle Maker, I also think the blind man’s answer was a huge prayer.
I never realized praying requires courage. Perhaps that’s because I’ve been praying small. Praying big is scary, but being a white chick whose basic needs are met doesn’t make me or my prayers insignificant compared to the rest of the world.
Yes. I have more courage than I realized. I’m praying big. What about you? How big are your prayers?

No comments: