"Smells Like Prayer"

Sunday at church our pastor talked about prayer. He described someone who prays all the time, "smells like prayer." That phrase hasn't left my head since he said it. I want to smell like prayer.

I was discussing it with the kiddos yesterday and I was asked what he meant exactly. So I started to explain it. If you walk into a house where bread is baking in the oven the whole house is permeated with the glorious aroma that comes from that bread. There is no question when you walk in, about what is in the oven. You don’t ask, “Oh, are you baking bread?” No, you breathe in deeply and smile saying, “The bread smells divine.”
Or if you walk into a garden of flowers blindfolded, you would know where you are just from the fragrance wafting into your nose, that tells you that you are in a garden. To smell like prayer would mean that you wouldn't need to say you pray a lot; it is just obvious by being around you.

I am so challenged in my prayer life right now to keep prayer first and foremost in my mind and heart. Prayer is so important and I know that so many days I do not pray without ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

This post linked to Sweet Shot Tuesday.