Oh How We Need Thee!
This world can be so distracting. So many different things can catch our eye. From the gadgets, to activities, to entertainment, and sports, we can be so busy with nothing of importance. Having hobbies or being interested in one of those isn’t necessarily bad either. We just have to know where the limit is and if there is something more important we can focus on. Prayer is something of utmost importance in the life of a believer. It is the very thing that connects us with the Father, but it is very often set to the side.
Prayer connects us to the Father. Just think, you are talking to the Father through Jesus when you pray. You’re speaking with the Creator of the universe! How amazing is that! Often we get too busy or we’re too tired to set aside a focused time of prayer. I can testify and say I know focused prayer time changes me. It may not always change the situation I am dealing with, but it changes how I look at that situation or how I feel about it. It opens my eyes just a little bit to see it how God sees it. Prayer is our life line and without it we would be lost. We have God’s instructions to tell us much of what to do in life, but we also have His Spirit to guide us. If we forfeit praying and listening to the Holy Spirit, we’re going to be confused and lost in many ways.
In Mark 1:35 we can see where Jesus even set aside time to pray. If the Son of God knew that he needed focused time to pray, how much more do we need it? I can tell you that I need it a lot. My flesh is very weak. Without prayer we can’t know what the Father desires from us on a daily basis beyond what’s in the Bible. We have to rely on the Father through prayer to guide us. I have small children and getting up early isn’t always easy, but when I do it I am so glad I made myself get up. Praying doesn’t always change my circumstances, but it can help me deal with them the way the Father’s desires. Prayer isn’t a tool that makes all bad things go away, it’s a tool to equip us how to respond to situations. The Father will change you through prayer. A lot of times, prayer can change us as much as what we’re praying about to change.
I encourage you to have the focused time of prayer. If you can’t do it in the morning, then find another time to pray. The Father doesn’t want long, eloquent prayers from us. He wants prayers that are true and honest from our heart. We should always pray with the intent to change if need be. He desires to see us change, not just the topic we are praying about.
Father, thank You for the privilege of prayer. It’s so important in our lives and needs to be treated that way. Without prayer, we cannot commune with You. You long to commune with us and speak with us. Help us to see how much You desire us to grow through praying. Help us to be willing and ready to change if You ask for it. May we never forget that prayer is our life line. It connects us to You and can change others for the better. May we pray honest prayers and remember we can hide nothing from You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
What a great reminder that prayer is part of our life in Christ.