Livin on a prayer

A yes, Bon Jovi! The epitome of the 80's rock band! They dominated my musical tastes, along with Van Halen, during my elementary school years in the mid 80's. Back then in my unbelieving days I was more interested in figuring out crude new ways to twist the lyrics to their songs ("shot to the heart" anyone?) than meditating on the message therein. When "Livin on a prayer" came out, I didn't give the idea of prayer a second thought.

Now that I have been a Christian long enough to be perhaps an "elementary school believer" (about 10 years) I'd say I'm in the same "Bon Jovi" years spiritually. I'm only "half-way there", if that.

Bon Jovi's wa-wa pedal-pushin song now brings a new reality to my ears as I consider it again. Am I livin on prayer? Is prayer my life-line? Do I think I have arrived, or do I want to "Take HIS hand and we'll make it I swear". Where does my dependence lie for daily power, for ministry, for life.

This is all coming into focus because at the end of June there is an all-night prayer meeting that I have been invited to. It got me thinking...Why haven't I done this before? How come I have met with Christians for "fellowship" about a million times more than I have met with believers for prayer?

Hopefully this oldy-but-goody by Bon Jovi will take on new meaning in my life and yours. Hopefully this time around the words of the song will finally sink in. "We've got to hold on to what we've got, it doesn't make a difference if we make it or not. We've got each other and that's a lot for love - We'll give it a shot". Perhaps we should all give an all night prayer meeting a shot! Has anyone out there been to one before? What's the longest prayer meeting you've been to? Any experiences or answers to prayer you'd like to share? Any tips for staying awake :)