What is keeping you today from having a better prayer life? While that may be a loaded question, the answer for most really boils down to two things. You feel you are too sinful and underserving of having an intimate relationship with God through prayer. You limit your prayers because you don’t think that God will hear you when you pray. This is far from the truth. You must remember that you’re not praying because of who you are; you’re praying because of who He is.
Having an active prayer life is one of the most important ways to have a spiritually fulfilled life. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus emphasized the importance of prayer in our lives. In the first gospel of the New Testament, Matthew, Jesus gives us a blueprint for how to pray. Most of the world knows this as the Lord’s Prayer. “Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be they name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.” Matthew 6: 9-13
The Lord’s Prayer starts off with praise and thanks for God. Jesus knew how important it was for us to acknowledge the power of God and to give him the praise he deserves. In giving praise to God, we should also ask for his will to be done in our lives. God wants us to ask him for what we need, but to also lean on his wisdom to give us what we need. God knows better what we need than even we do. After we give God praise and ask for what we need, we should ask for forgiveness of our sins and that God will help make us strong when we are tempted.
Seems simple right? Sure, of course it does, but how many of us make a point to pray, to really talk to God every day. I know that I don’t. I’m ashamed to tell you all that I fail miserably in my prayer life. I will go through phases where I will have a wonderful prayer life. I am really feeling one with God and talking to him throughout the day…then, I just stop. Why does that happen? Surely, I’m not the only one who does this.
So, I need all of your help to spur me on in my prayer life. It is kind of like eating good healthy foods. Your body feels so much better when you are nourishing it with healthy foods. When you stop eating those foods and stuff yourself with foods packed with sugar and fats, you feel sluggish and yucky. The same thing happens with prayer. When you are actively praying, talking to God every day, you feel good. But when you stop, you start to feel anxious and unsure of life.
I want to become a prayer warrior and even though it isn’t technically time for resolutions, I’m making one here in the fourth quarter. I am going to pray more and pray harder. This world needs prayer more than anything else in this life. Imagine if everyone started praying every day and developing that intimate relationship with God. The world would become a wonderful place.
This week’s recipe is a delicious fall Brussels Sprout Salad. Y’all, this stuff is addicting! I can eat the entire bowl by myself! It is perfect to pair with a delicious chicken breast or pork loin. I hope you all love this as much as I do!
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12
April 19, 2024
