George Buttrick

                In my own personal prayer life, I am more likely to be too formless.  I often spend my time conversing and convening with the Lord over coffee, sitting on my bed, having casual conversation about my day or asking him questions.  However, it is during some of those times that I have experienced his overwhelming greatness in the most magnified ways.  But, if I let it become too routine, it often loses its significance.  I’ll sit down on my bed with journal and Bible in hand only to say a quick prayer and become distracted by something else.  As I actually talk with him, conversation may become so casual that I get sidetracked and aimlessly talk and think about other, less pertinent things.  These things may not happen often, but they do happen and I would certainly hate for them to become habit.
              As I think about how to avoid informality, I am considering the idea of physical position.  There is something so formless about reclining on some pillows, occasionally sipping coffee from a mug, just chatting away.  What if during my personal prayer time I spent at least a portion of it on my knees before a Holy God?  Yes, this is something that I practice, but not often enough.  It serves as a physical, practical reminder that He is so deserving of respect, honor and glory…and I am not.  Who am I to have a casual conversation with him?  Sometimes I could use some reminding of my place.  As I begin this action, it would help develop many other aspects of my prayer life because it brings on a different sort of attitude altogether – one of humility, reverence, and recognition of an Almighty God.