On My Knees

My floors were gross and in desperate need of cleaning. I passed on using the steam mop and chose to go the old fashioned route. Out came the bucket and rags as I got on my knees. My intention was to clean JUST the floors. However, being on my knees allowed me to see other areas that also needed to be cleaned…my walls, the legs of the table and chairs, the baseboards and the cabinets. Needless to say, I was on my knees a lot longer than intended, but the results were worth it.

Isn’t that how it is when we get on our knees in prayer? Admittedly, I have times when I just want to blow off some steam in prayer and get on with my daily agenda, but being in the presence of God brings all the “dirty” stuff to the surface. As I commune with Him in sincere prayer, He shows me areas where I have such things as unforgiveness, jealously, bitterness, and pride—areas that need some serious cleansing.

It is not enough to just get on my knees for a moment, but I must be willing to stay there longer than intended sometimes. I must enter into His presence with thanksgiving and be willing to be like my three year old, sometimes stuck on repeat, saying the same thing over and over again. “Thank you Lord for this…” “Thank you Lord for that…” “And for this and for that…” I must offer true praise, acknowledging who He is and what He has done for me. I have to get comfortable with crying out to God, telling Him all, withholding nothing. But it doesn’t stop at me sharing, I must be willing to have a dialogue and learn when it’s His turn to speak to me during prayer. I must be willing to stay on my knees as opposed to running away when He doesn’t answer the way I desire.
To get really ‘clean,’ I cannot rely on a quick “I’m just praying because this is what a Christian is supposed to do” kinda prayer. My life would be no cleaner than my kitchen, showing a surface cleaning. No, prayer must be a priority. After all, He is coming back for a church without “spot or wrinkle or any other blemish.”

Yes, it takes time but the results are a positively transformed life and greater connection with God and like the satisfaction I gained from my housekeeping duties, it is well worth it!