I talk to God all day long.  That's how I pray but today I was asked the question, why do I pray?


I pray when I don’t know what to do.   


I’ve been a control freak my whole life.   I don’t like the unknown.   I like to know what I’m doing.   I need a plan.  Lately there have been many times that I’ve felt out of control.  There are things I can’t fix or change so I pray until I can let it go.


I pray when I want answers.


Once again, wanting to have some kind of control.  I've always felt if I had some kind of explanation, or understanding, I could deal with the circumstances better.


I pray when my heart aches.


My heart aches when I’m dealing with some kind of loss.  It usually involves a relationship whether family or friend. 


I pray when I’m lonely. 


I’ve always been around people.   I wouldn’t call myself an extrovert unless the situation calls for it, but I like being with others.   I admire those who can go to a restaurant or to the movies and just enjoy themselves.   That’s not me.  I’m always aware of the empty seat beside me. 


There are many verses in the Bible where God tell us we’re never alone.   Psalm 23 says He is by my side.   Isaiah tells us not to be afraid because He is with us.   So, trying to keep that in mind, I pray when I’m lonely.


I pray when I need comfort.   


When my heart is aching, I need comfort.   Talking to God brings me comfort.   Sometimes all I need to is just sit quietly.   Other times I vent it all out.


I pray when I’m afraid. 


I hate to say it but this is probably 85% of my prayers.   Most of the time, I have nothing to substantiate my fears other than a feeling but I’m sure you know that when you live by your feelings, you give them power.   That’s never a good thing. 


I pray when others are suffering.


This is a hard one because it involves all of of the above.   I hate suffering.  I want to fix things and make everything better but there are times there’s nothing I can do.   But, I can pray.


Why is it we think of prayer as our last resort?   It should be the first thing we do in the morning and the last thing we do at night.   We’re not talking to the air.   Our words are not bouncing off the ceiling.   They are being heard by God who is very much alive and loves us just as we are.


As I looked at my answers, I realized it was pretty one sided.  Prayer is communication and communication involves both sides getting the chance to talk.   Prayer is not just about pleading or begging, it's about having an honest conversation with God.  It's about letting ourselves let it all hang out and not being afraid, ashamed or guilty.  He knows how we feel.  He knows our hearts and He loves us no matter what.  He wants our conversations to be two sided but in order to do that, we have to sit and listen.   I can't even imagine how many times I've missed what He's had to say.  To be honest, sometimes I'm afraid to hear what He has to say because my prayers haven't always been answered the way I had hoped. 


The Bible says that  “the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective.”   That's how I want to pray. 


I have changes to make but in order to do that, I have to be willing to accept His answers even if they don't match my own…if not, I'm just wasting my breath.


Father, may I pray in faith knowing I can trust You with the outcome and grow in the knowledge that You are good and Your love never grows cold.  Amen

It's Not The End

By Eileen Glotfelty • May 23, 2026
Are you one of those people who like to read the end of the story before finishing the book? This morning I've been sitting here feeling overwhelmed by life. There are things that are out of my control and a lot of uncertainty. For someone who likes to have a plan, it's my worst nightmare. God's word says that He finishes what He starts and He will complete the good work in me (Philippians 1:6 NIV). I struggle with that when I can't see the finish line. God's word also says He's the Alpha and the Omega which means He is the beginning and the end (Rev 22:13 NIV). To me, that means that He sees it all. He knew where I would be on any given day. He knew my circumstances before I did, but unlike me, He's not worrying and overcome with anxiety because He sees the end. So, once again, I have a choice to make. I can sit here overwhelmed because I can't see the way out, or, I can trust the One who can. Will I choose hope or despair? This leads me to faith which is choosing to believe even though we can't see the outcome. I had to ask myself where I was putting my faith. Hope and faith work together. No amount of striving can earn them. Each one of us has access to them. All we have to do is ask the One who freely gives. Jesus, I know you've written my story and You know how it ends. Everything in this life is temporary. Even though I can't see the end, help me to rest in the fact that You do and I can trust You with my life.

The Lost Sheep

By Eileen Glotfelty • May 11, 2026
A few weeks ago I shared about my estranged child. Mother's Day came and went without a word. I spent the day wondering/hoping I would hear something. I didn't expect a phone call but maybe a text. I told myself not to have any expectations, but I still did. I was almost angry at myself for thinking maybe this year would be different. This morning I sat here talking to the Lord. He wants me to be honest with Him so I didn't try to hide the sorrow and the rejection. I told Him I was hurt and I had to forgive my child once again. He reminded me that I had three other children who hadn't forgotten me and made me feel loved and honored, so why was the rejection of one so painful? It was then I remembered the story of the lost sheep. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, it's about a shepherd who has a flock of a hundred sheep. One of them goes astray and the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to go find it. It was a gentle reminder that He will never give up on my child and He loves Him more than I could imagine. In the same way, God will never give up on any of us. No matter how much we run or push Him away, He will never leave us. I needed that encouragement, maybe you do too.

The Prodigal

By Eileen Glotfelty • April 19, 2026
For those of you who have a prodigal child, you're not alone. What I mean by prodigal is a child who has turned their back on you and put up walls of defense. It came as a surprise, a shock actually. I should've seen it coming but after years of butting heads, I truly thought we were in a better place. The revelation came in a letter where thoughts and feelings were shared. I felt my spirit being crushed as I read it and my heart broke. I know I wasn't the perfect mother. I had struggles and behaviors that had followed me since childhood. I had resolved never to treat my children the way I was treated, but how many of us know that sadly it still happens, but in a different way. When you have a prodigal, it's not about forgiveness and reconciliation, it's about the pain they feel we've inflicted and they can't let go of it. I keep hoping that some day, things will change but there's no guarantee as it takes two surrendered hearts that are open to be healed. It's been four years now since I received that letter. I have grieved in a way I never have before and there were times I didn't think I would make it through. It's a different kind of grief because you know it can change but it's out of your control. It's been a process and I've experienced rejection, abandonment, guilt and shame but it brought me to a place where I knew it was going to keep me in a prison of pain if I didn't surrender it to God so He could heal my heart. The Bible has a story about a prodigal son. Even though the son went his own way and abandoned his father, his father never gave up hope. When the son had an “aha” moment and realized how foolish he had been, he humbled himself and returned home. This is my favorite of the story: “So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20 NIV” This is how God greets everyone who returns to Him, no matter what they've done. I pray I would react the same way with my son. If you have a prodigal, my heart goes out to you, but just know that God sees you and your child. He is working behind the scenes as He is a God of redemption and reconciliation. He will heal your broken heart and give you the strength to hold on.