A Life of Prayer

Isn’t it amazing that we can take everything to God in prayer? Though there is a place for talking to people, there is nothing like talking to Jesus: 

• It’s one thing to share with someone who’s not really listening or tired of hearing us talk about it; it’s another to bring who we are, where we’re at, and what we’re feeling to the God who invites us to come to Him. 
• It’s one thing to vent to someone who can’t change the situation or fully understand; it’s another to talk to a Saviour with the power and wisdom to change the situation or change us. 
• It’s one thing to talk to someone who’s trying to figure out the answer to our need; it’s another to bow to “the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God” (1 Tim. 1:17), the one who is and always will be the answer. 

Prayer is a powerful tool in our relationship with God, our work in the ministry, and our daily life situations. It’s prayer time!

Prayer is communication with God, and an opportunity for God to communicate with us. Prayer is not in our heads or hearts; it’s talking (openly and audibly) to the God who is able to talk back. We waste so much time thinking; we have to open our mouths! The Psalmist David resolved, “As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice” (Psalm 55:16-17). Morning, noon, or night, we can take our thoughts and our emotions to God in prayer, and tell God all about it. And when we have the Holy Ghost, He who searches our hearts, makes intercession for us. When we don’t know what to pray, the Holy Ghost prays for us according to the will of God (Rom. 8:26-27). Prayer is awesome!

Though emergency can heighten our attention to praying, God desires more than sporadic or momentary calls because we urgently need or desperately want something from Him. Since He desires a relationship, He calls us to a life of prayer, and the benefits abound if we commit to it. He tells us to pray always and not faint (Luke 18:1), not passing out. He teaches us to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17), to pray through continually, without interruption or omission. He instructs us to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16), telling God everything on our hearts and minds. He already knows our needs and cares for us, but when we pray and share with God, it moves God to intervene, according to His will, on our behalf. 

What benefits of prayer are most important to you? What has helped you build a life of prayer? Share in the comments, and more than anything, make sure to pray today! Already prayed? Pray more! He wants to hear from you.