You know those comic strips where little kids are praying because it's Christmas and they really really want a new bike, or they really really want to pass a test? "Please God, if you get me a bike for Christmas, I promise to be good." This is the framework I have in mind about praying.
There are, of course, the other prayers...the ones that are said on other people's behalf. Praying for the good health of other people, or to become a better person (please make me less selfish) seem to be the only "other" kind of prayers.
Yet, I keep hearing about all of these "other" prayers...there is a whole other side of praying that I have absolutely no idea about. I know a little bit about the rosary, and I know that it doesn't really have a hidden agenda. Praying the rosary doesn't really serve any one thing...it's more of an exercise (at least it seems to me) in devotion.
Lately, I've been so unfocused and stressed out that (again) instead of leaning more on God, I've been struggling it alone(ish). Most of the prayers that want to fall from my lips are along the lines of, "Please God, let this house deal fall through," or, "Please throw me a bone here as to what direction my life should be taking as far as some sort of vocation." However, these seem to fall into the first category of prayers: What can God do for me?
I've come to the conclusion that the only thing I should be praying for right now (besides for the good health of others) is for grace...grace to handle what God throws at me a little more gracefully. Lately, I feel more inclined to act like the 6 year old that didn't get that bike for Christmas.
