So many times we fail to pray when we should. Imagine an marriage where the couple just lived together without talking, or perhaps only speak when they absolutely have too. That would not be a real marriage would it?
It’s the same when we have bound ourselves to live and walk with our God. It is a daily walk with daily conversation. In our case we have also to make an extra effort as we are separated to quite a degree by our sin. This means we need to be extra mindful to make conscious efforts to pray and seek our God. In James 4: 2 we read that, ‘You do not have because you do not ask God‘. or you’ ask with wrong motives. Usually this means self serving rather than God serving motives. In public prayer there is often that one person who seems to pray eloquently and say just the right things. This can put others off at times. Frankly, I would rather see people stick to one topic at a time in public so others can add to it. However, most of our prayer should be private and humble. God is the source of life and we can not afford to, ‘not’ pray to Him.
Beside, God instructs us to pray for all sorts of things. The Lord’s prayer (Mt 6:5-15) gives us a good ‘go to’ prayer, where Jesus taught us how we should pray. This is certainly worth repeating. However God wants to hear what you have on your heart. He wants you to take rest in Him by telling His what worries you and trusting Him enough with the problem to submit it to Him in prayer and no longer be so worried, because you know He has it in hands.
Philippians 4:6 says: ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests’ ‘to God. So there you go, get stuck into prayer today. You do not need a script unless you really want to do it that way, but simply share your heart with God. I want to say just 2 more things about prayer today. 1stly, don’t forget to pray for the unsaved. What use is there for us to stay here on earth till Jesus returns if not to help in the salvation of those who do not know God’s son Jesus yet and are in danger of hell itself. Pray for them, it is unloving not to do so.
2ndly, AS we pray, we are also hoping to gains God’s heart and understanding for the world we live in. If you want to do this, then you will accompany your prayer life with solid reading or listening to God’s word (the Bible). We should find our prayer life change drastically as we read God’s word. Bless you, and may the Lord grant you a heart that is drawn to prayer.
Pastor Ross Brinkman
Temora Baptist Church 