Here's a question: Why do we pray? Most of us pray because God cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). It's a great comfort to know that God cares. You can believe He's interested in every detail of our lives, and wants us to involve Him in every aspect of our lives. Maybe a simple, yet useful definition of prayer might be this: “a request for help; or expression of thanks addressed to God.
God promises to listen, to help, and to protect. He promises to be there. The bottom line is that when we pray, we surrender and release our thoughts, worries, and desires to God. We pray because prayer shifts our attention to “him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).
One could say that prayer deepens our relationship with God, and brings us closer to Him. After all, He created us with a need for connection, and prayer is connection to Him. The way I see it, praying is talking to the Lord, just like friends talk to one another. We're brought closer together through our sharing. When we pray, we share our innermost, personal being with Him. Also, it is through prayer that we are transformed and renewed. Prayer reminds us that we are dependent on God and not on ourselves. It draws us closer to God.
The Bible tells us that Jesus prayed. Just look at His life here on earth. Jesus was in constant communion with His Father. Even toward the end of His ministry He prayed, “Father, I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” Wait a minute! How could Jesus know what the Father wanted Him to do? He knew this because of prayer. Jesus had spent much time in prayer with the Father. Consequently, if the sinless Messiah, “the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2) desperately sought the Father, how much more do we, mere mortals, need to seek His will and pray?
Is there a correct, or right way to pray. Not really. Some people pray in public, others like to pray in private. We might pray in loud voices, while other times we choose to whisper our prayers, or even prefer to pray in silence. There are those of us who like to set aside time for prayer, and other times simply pray whenever the mood strikes. We might choose to sit, stand kneel, or lie down when we pray. Maybe we pray while we're walking, driving, or simply relaxing.
In fact, the Bible mentions many forms of prayer, places of prayer, postures for prayer, and circumstances of prayer. Yet, it doesn't distinguish any specific form, place, posture, or circumstance for prayer above another. While He was here, Jesus prayed standing, sitting, kneeling, and possibly in other positions as well. And you know what? We can pray anywhere, at anytime, about anything, and in any posture, too!
I'm here to tell you that there isn't a time when we don't need to pray, or when we can't pray. Nor is there ever a time when God is not listening, or does not hear us. We pray because God truly cares for us! Isn't it a comfort to know God cares? He's extremely interested in every detail of our lives. So much so, that He wants us to involve Him in every aspect of it.
The awesome thing about this is that He promises to listen, help, and protect. He promises to be right there with us. When we pray, we surrender and release our thoughts, worries, and desires to God. We pray because prayer shifts our attention to “him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). Yes, prayer is a valuable resource.
As I close, we should make prayer one of the top priorities of our lives. To be in contact with the Lord, in other words to have a connection with Him, and to know that He hears us, and answers our prayers, is surely a blessing beyond belief.
Scripture: James 5:16; Ephesians 6:18; Luke 11:9; Mark 11:24; Philippians 4:6
Prayer: Dear Father, as I face this day give me the wisdom and courage to do the right thing, even when it is not easy.
May God bless you!
Jorja
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