Christian Life,  Prayer

Prayer – Day 1

prayer1Prayer may be one of the most talked about and least practiced experiences in the church. This is interesting when you consider that Jesus said that His house should be called “a house of prayer for all nations.” Why do so few Christians really pray? When I say really pray, I do not mean the prayers of desperation where we cry out to God for help, though I have had God respond to those types of prayers many times in my life. I am not referring to the rote prayers that we could say in our sleep because a number of Christians may methodically tack on a prayer before a meal. I am talking about a real conversation with God whereby we share our heart, our mind, our burdens, and our joys.

The fact is, God commands us to pray about everything. Philippians 4:6-8 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” I love that passage of scripture. God is saying that he wants us to pray about every situation, every need, every burden, every pain, and every joy. It elevates prayer to more than just an experience. It is a life which we live. If we pray about everything, it means that we get out of bed in the morning with a prayer on our lips and slip off to sleep at night with the final “amen” of the day. When we do this, God says that His peace comes and sets up a guard around our hearts (emotion) and our minds (intellect).

For those who attend SonRise Baptist Church in Newnan, we are beginning a week of prayer emphasis September 14 – 20. I invite anyone reading this today to join with our church family in praying for our nation, our world, our churches, our families, and our lives. God wants us to pray. The verse above says that He does not want us to worry about anything but pray about everything. Will you join us this week in prayer? I’ll post comments on my blog every day during this week of prayer. Come back daily, read my thoughts, and then share your thoughts below. Tomorrow, I’m going to share some comments about fasting.

Prayer:

Lord, You told me not to worry about anything but pray about everything. I am sorry for the times I choose to worry instead of to trust. I do feel under attack by the enemy many times, and I want to learn how to trust in you. You are faithful and true. You never leave me or forsake me. Thank you for being my God and for calling me to prayer. I submit my mind and my heart to you as I begin a week of focused prayer. Could you help me to encounter you this week in a significant way as I seek You? In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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