Day 12: Engaging Prayer

EVERY DAY - by Chad Riley

“This Love” by Housefires
This love is an everyday kind of love.
Every morning I’m in it.
This love is an everyday kind of love.
Every evening I’m in it.

Growing up, I’m not afraid to admit that I was a momma’s boy. In fact, I was a grandma’s boy, too. (Bet you’ve never heard that one before.)

I lived the first seven and a half years of my life at my grandparents’ house, along with my mom, and many of my fondest childhood memories feature my grandma. My love of learning, my fondness for chocolate and my appreciation for one-on-one conversations all started with her, in many ways.

When my grandma passed away unexpectedly about two and half years ago, my family asked me to write a eulogy for her. As I spent an entire night and morning writing the message, I had to - and wanted to - lean on God more than I ever had before. And it was one of the most impactful experiences of my life because I felt closer to Him in those hours than I typically do when circumstances are normal.

Truthfully, there were moments when I felt closer to my grandma, too. I think that was a real expression of grace, and the close connection I felt with God is something I’ve tried to carry back into my daily life ever since.

“Never stop praying.” [1 Thess. 5:17, NLT]