The March wind is keeping me off the porch swing this morning. It’s just a little too cold. I guess I’m getting old as I approach my 69th birthday next week. The day has finally warmed up enough for me to ponder in the porch swing. It was cold this morning walking Penelope. Mother Nature’s March breezes are heavy and cool this afternoon. She’s blowing the brown magnolia leaves down the street, their footsteps loud and heavy.

The sun is hot enough now to warm the afternoon. The sky is pretty and blue, sketched with fluffy clouds kissed Clorox white on their edges by the sunshine. A few clouds are carrying rain in their bellies. The wind chimes are bravely singing in the breezes, their metal pipes banging out symphonic notes drowning out the songbirds’ singing. I’m watching the colorful pansy blooms blowing in the breeze, happily waving and shaking their blossoms, greeting their bumblebee friends, having lively conversations. Penelope is hoping for a bumblebee snack.

The day passes so beautifully but I know in this world there are folks suffering and calling out to God, grasping for hope in the debilitating darkness of the storms in their lives. In our most challenging life experiences, God’s goodness is near to us. He may be difficult to see in the darkness but he’s faithfully present. First Thessalonians 5:17-19 states, “Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit.”

I read that prayer is just a conversation with God. But it’s really a personal and intimate heart to heart outpouring of love and communication by us to our Holy Father. We talk to God through our prayers asking for help, asking for forgiveness for our sins, giving thanks for our blessings. We pray for directions and solutions to problems. Prayer puts these burdens on God’s shoulders, giving us peace and comfort as we lay our heads down at night. We give thanks for our many blessings and deepen our spiritual relationship with God as we prayerfully open our hearts.

Bible scripture magnifies the importance of sincere, humble prayer. We don’t pray just for our needs but we pray for faith to accept the path that God has chosen for us. In Matthew 6:9-13 we read The Lord’s Prayer, a prayer Jesus modeled for his disciples. The scripture teaches us to address God as “Our Father.” Verse nine says, “This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” This prayer teaches us to pray for God’s forgiveness for our sins, to pray for our daily needs, to pray for help resisting temptation, and to pray for protection from evil.

Prayer is so uncomplicated and so comforting. I love the words from Philippians 4:6–7 that state, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Prayer will bring peace to your life.

If prayer is not part of your daily life you are missing a blessing. Just follow the advice in The Lord’s Prayer — address God, thank him for your blessings, pray for your needs, and close with an amen. If this is too complicated you can borrow my porch swing prayer. “Thank you God for another beautiful day on this wondrous planet earth.” The Lord knows a simple thank you covers the bases.

“Prayer is as natural an expression of faith as breathing is of life.” — Jonathan Edwards