How to Pray

Now let me just say from the start that I do not consider myself an authority on this in any way shape or form.  Nor am I talking about the technical aspect here - as in do you get on your knees? or do you pray while driving? or do you talk out loud or in your head?  (In a house? With a mouse?)  No... I have no real thoughts on this, although I have had people tell me that getting on your knees makes it different for them.  I haven't tried it more than a handful of times so I have no opinion on this.  (Me?  I have no opinion on something?  Really?)

What I do want to talk about is how to 'properly' pray for something.  Here's the scenario.....I have heard that I am in the running for a promotion.  One that I really really want, based on the hours and the raise and a few other minor details, like the company car that goes with it.  And I want to discuss this situation with God.  But I have a few problems with the actually praying/conversing part.

First off - I try not to ask for stuff when I am praying. It being selfish and all.  So I don't want to say.... Hey God I REALLY want this job - you think you could help me out here?  Yeah - that doesn't really work for me.

Second - I am pretty sure that God KNOWS what I want, and frankly, what I want may not be what is best for me.  In asking for what I want, I might be way off base with whatever God may have planned for me.  Based on past experience, whatever God has in store for me is usually about a thousand times better then whatever brilliant ideas I have in my head.  So I should really just leave that alone.

Third - If I am sure that God has a plan, and it's good for me then I just have to wait for it to unfold right?  So I need to be patient.  But I was told a LOOOONG time ago never to pay for patience (or tolerance) because it's not like God just waves a magic wand and says, "Hey - there you go.  You are now more patient."  If I ask for patience, then I am given lots of opportunities to LEARN patience, like long lines, or traffic jams.  Uh... no thank you.  So ixnay on the paying for patience.

So what's left?  Faith I guess.  Faith in God's plan, God's timing, all of that.  So what I came up with is to simply ask God to help me walk in faith.  I didn't ask for Faith mind you - I don't need any testing or opportunities to have my faith tested thank you very much.  I am just asking that God help me stay strong in my faith.  I am probably just splitting hairs - but I really wanted to have some conversation with God about this, and it's the best I could do. We shall see I guess....I am open to other ideas... how do you pray?

Walking in faith (at least for the next five minutes... then I will have to pray all over again)....