Did you think to pray?

There is a song in the hymnal. It begins "Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray?" This is something I think about when I wake up in the morning. At university I had a sticky note of that line stuck the post around my door so I could see it when I left my room. If I had remembered to pray, it was fine. If I forgot, the song would be stuck in my head all day. 

There are worse things. 

I like the song. It's a lovely reminder to me that I can turn to the Lord at any time, whether in sore trial or to forgive as I wish to be forgiven. But I am struck as of late to the opening line of the second verse. 

"When your heart was filled with anger, did you think to pray?" 

Truth be told, not really. I don't know how I missed this. Either I missed it completely or I am being nudged as a huge reminder. When angry or frustrated I will often try to take a step back and take a breath... But for some reason I was struck lately with the thought that I can pray to my Father in those times. I know this, and it strikes me is how true it rings to my very core. Of the things that the writer could focus on, she made a special point to focus on praying when angry. Praying for the grace to forgive those "who had crossed your way." I have a tendency to let certain things fester. Minor things I can let go, but sometimes there are moments that I would relish in my anger. I can think of a moment when I opted for this. 

I chose it.  

Why in the world would I make this conscious decision? I have no idea. But, in light of this HUGE reminder that has been on my mind for a couple weeks now, I will keep it in my heart and apply it daily. (Not just daily... like throughout the day... cause sometimes that beast comes roaring in. I think I have anger issues.) 

"Oh, how praying helps the weary!

Prayer will change the night to day. 

So, when life gets dark and dreary,

Don't forget to pray."