I’ll probably include parts of this chapter someday in my book, The Sacredness of the Mundane. It is this very topic, the Prayer of the Ordinary, that I’m passionate about communicating to people, especially women. So much of my day is what we’d call “ordinary.” Thus, so much of my day should be filled with the prayer of the ordinary. Right now I just put Dutch down for bed, I prayed for him, simple, honest, heartfelt prayers for his present needs (sleep, health, joy, development) and his long-term needs (a heart for God, obedience to parents, a godly spouse, a passion for serving God). At times perhaps I agonize too much over simple decisions, but to me it is part of praying the ordinary—I want to ask God about every decision and learn to gently listen and be quiet and still enough in my heart to hear His voice.
Just as the writer was digging a ditch for the glory of God, I change diapers, grade theology papers, play with matchbox cards, write position papers on women in ministry, make dinner, and read my hermeneutics textbook, all for the glory of God. And, as Foster says, not only can I pray about these things, but these very things become prayer, as I do them for His name and sake: As Ignatius of Loyala said, “Everything that one turns in the direction of God is prayer.” Let it be.