How Long Do You Pray? (or Wiccans, Christians and Prayer, Oh My!)

This question was recently asked in a forum. Mind you, no where does this forum declare it is Christian based, however, if you were to enter the forum, you would know right away Christianity rules the roost. When the question was asked, "How long do you pray?" Interestingly enough, a wiccan believer spoke up and declared that she prayed, meditated and thanked "the Goddess for her many blessings and for hearing her requests." After four questions from a Christian believer, the wiccan believer was met with reproach and accusations.

People embrace a belief purely and innocently (or ignorantly) based on what they've read or what someone has taught them and most of all, what makes them comfortable. As I read the conversation in the forum, I saw the wiccan believer as a woman who needed to really know who Jesus Christ was. She was a soul that needed to be saved, set free and delivered from the deception of her wiccan belief. Instead of approaching her with the compassion of Christ, she was approached with contempt. "...you are a witch... Female wicca (sp) are witches..." This put her on the defense and the Christian believer just became another close minded Christian that she will no longer trust or listen to. How now, will we win her to the body of Christ? Sometimes as Christians we start condemning the lost, instead of winning the lost. Here me when I say, I am by no means asking anyone to coddle or condone the wiccan belief. In counseling, I've learned you get more answers and information by questioning, than by accusing.

Witchcraft is not just a wiccan thing. Many Christians practice witchcraft and don't even know it. If you are a believer in Christ and you still believe in luck, reincarnation, your daily horoscope, ouija boards and magic (just to list a few), you're operating in witchcraft. I recently found an article titled, "Why Are So Many Christians Practicing Witchcraft?". This blog speaks of witchcraft and the various forms it can take and operate through Christian believers. It's no longer just about cauldrons, black pointy hats and broomsticks. It is about the condition of your heart towards God.

Your prayer life is not measured in minutes, because it is a lifestyle. The bible says, "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, KJV) This does not mean as a Christian, there is a specific tone, posture or set length of time we must pray, as with some eastern religions. It does not mean non-stop talking. It is a recurring, intimate two-way conversation that allows you to have a God's eye view of the world we live in. If you see the homeless, you pray. If you get a surprise phone call from a friend, you thank God. If your child gets a 4 year scholarship to the college of his choice, you praise God. In this manner of prayer, you are creating a Godly conscience, an intimate relationship with God and an approach to daily living God's way.

I was taught a style of meditative prayer called "lectio divina" (which translates as "divine reading" or in our modern day tongue, "the Word of God") . You read a passage of scripture, you meditate on the passage or maybe even one word within the passage to see what it means in your own life. You then pray and commune with God and finally, you silently think about the scripture and listen to what the Holy Spirit reveals to you. You won't "lectio divina" in the Bible specifically. It is an ancient tradition divinely given by God to a 3rd century theologian and still practiced today.