“The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. ”
A book that challenged me throughout my ministry is Care of the Soul by former Roman Catholic monk and author Thomas Moore. Rather than quoting Moore, I would like to share personal reflections on how I care for my soul. In the next ten devotions, I will share how I strive to care for my soul and the souls of others.
When you contemplate caring for your soul, prayer should be your first thought and activity. Through the Holy Spirit, God renews and blesses the soul. Prayer is the avenue God created for us to speak to God, share with God, and learn from God. Prayer comes in many forms, and each is necessary for a well-rounded relationship with God. Start by opening a discussion. I tend to walk when I pray. Even at home or in the church office, I stay on the move. I talk to God as if God were with me in the moment. Talking, as if to a friend, opens my mind to the issues that require God’s attention. Soon, the issues become apparent.
Next, the thoughts and issues that come to the forefront shape the type of prayer I choose. For example, if I feel guilt, I pray confession and remind myself of a declaration of pardon. If I feel gratitude, prayers of thanksgiving or adoration become meaningful. If I question decisions or struggle with direction, I offer God a prayer of dedication. Those are just a few examples of specific prayers and when to use them. Prayer can be free-flowing or intentional. The key is to trust God enough to be honest.
Prayer is a profound way of caring for your soul. God created your body and your soul. Only God will heal, restore, and guide your soul amid life’s turbulent moments. Cars need oil changes and other routine maintenance. Prayer keeps your soul running at peak efficiency. Take a walk, sit down, get on your knees; it doesn’t matter. Just pray and feel your soul begin to heal.
