Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people. - Colossians 3:23 (CEB)

Due to our lead pastor’s absence one Sunday, the associate pastor asked several lay members to help with various roles during the worship service. I was asked to lead the congregational prayer time. Prayer is such an intimate and often emotional experience for me that I sometimes have difficulty holding back tears during prayer. Even so, I agreed.

At the appointed time, I stepped boldly to the podium, feeling confident I could keep my composure. I had uttered only a few words of humble praise, however, when my voice trembled and my chin quivered. Sure enough, tears escaped from my closed eyelids, and the tears flowed harder the more I prayed. Somehow I managed to finish with the Lord’s Prayer and make it back to my pew, but I felt remorseful and embarrassed by my public display.

Then I remembered that God doesn’t demand a performance from me. God wants me to serve with my whole heart.

Emotions are real and God-given, and tears can be a kind of holy water. Our Creator made me with a tender heart. It doesn’t matter what others think or say about my prayerful tears. Perhaps that day wasn’t my shining moment, but it was God’s.

Today's Prayer
Almighty God, we are thankful that we have constant access to you through the power of prayer. Amen.

Amen!