By Jill Rady

This was unfamiliar ground.  I felt though that it was a safe place with the woman who invited me to join this group.  There was no reason to include me except for her kindness, and perhaps a wisdom of which I was unaware.

I had children at home so a social day with adults was a welcome one.  I was an at home mom and far from family with my young husband.  I didn’t have birthdays, and baptisms and dinners and other family occasions to enjoy more than our annual visit or two.  We found family in our new church and became members as we learned about what it means to be a follower of Christ.  I was new in this role as well.

And that was why we gathered together. Following Christ and ministry to women.  I could learn something about making a difference to women around me through this group.  So my ears were open and my eyes wide as I observed how this is done.

Coffee was offered.  Introductions and chatting moved into a scripture reading and some group business.  I wanted this sisterhood.  I needed someplace to belong.  I was grateful for this chance. And I believed that God had opened this door.

We finally moved to close in prayer.  I was given a slip of paper expressing a prayer need within our organization.  “If you are not comfortable praying out loud”,  we were told “just please read what is on the slip of paper.”

I don’t recall the need any longer.  It was the trust from this group that made this first chance to pray out loud stick in my mind, and my journey had begun.

I have since that day considered a proper posture for prayer; a prayer closet; journaling my prayer life; including all of the corrected steps to approaching the Throne of Grace; being specific in prayer; praise and thanksgiving in relation to prayer and more.  All has made me aware of the challenges we face in our approach to God.  We work so hard to bring meaning to this conversation and relationship with Him.  If my effort would be feeble, if my words would not be eloquent, if my hopes and dreams were shattered and left me speechless, this one thing would remain.  My Heavenly Father has adopted a prayer posture for me.  Psalm 116:2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

His ear is turned in my direction.  Inclined to hear every word directed toward Him from a heart full of trust.  This is a safe place.  Always a safe place with my Father.