Praying

I believe that this is one of the greatest gifts that we have been given. The ability to communicate with the Creator of the universe. The One who spoke and brought everything into being is the very One that is listening when we lift up our voice (or thoughts) in prayer. We should be quick to offer prayers for those that we meet as they share their stories and life. We should begin and end the day talking to God. We should thank God for our food before each meal. We lift up our nation and leaders and the nation in prayer for God’s leading, remember to note, not my will but Yours be done, for God may have very different plans than we do. We lift our church and community that God might soften hearts for the listener and put words in the mouths of those proclaiming. I think Corrie Ten Boom had a great quote on prayer, “The wonderful thing about praying is that you leave a world of not being able to do something, and enter God’s realm where everything is possible. He specializes in the impossible. Nothing is too great for His almighty power. Nothing is too small for His love.” How often we get our minds stuck in the world and our inability to get the job done. He specializes in doing the impossible, but we often fail to ask, and when we do ask, we don’t ask from believing hearts. Our prayers sometimes sound sheepish, as if we weren’t sure if we were asking too much or chasing the impossible. How sad God must feel when we don’t trust Him for everything. Where is the boldness that James talks about where he speaks of praying and not doubting. We need to start taking prayer off the shelves that they have been sitting on and starting putting it into practice. Prayer should be the first thing that comes to mind as we begin the day and the last thought on our mind before we go to sleep. Prayer is part of the armor we are to put on everyday as we head out into spiritual battle. And it is not just us talking. God answers prayers. Sometimes in supernatural ways, sometimes through others, sometimes with a no or not yet. Sometimes we hear or sense that still small voice that speaks from within, but be careful to distinguish that voice from the Devils and our own selfish desires. Take time to listen. Father, give me spiritual ears to hear You and to know Your desires. Speak to us by Your word, Your Spirit, and through others. Amen