Skip to main content

a day to pray

I remember for the last 18 or so years that the first Thursday of May is a special day set aside to pray.  People across the United States are asked to take time out of their busy schedules to seek God for our nation on the National Day of Prayer.  At times there has been more emphasis on this day and the event, but the fact is pray is something that God blessed us with.  It is our connection to God.

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.

Prayer is more than just talking to God.  Make sure not to miss the aspect of listening.  Lets take a few minutes to deal with the things that keep us from having effective prayer lives.

The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.

point 1.  Is prayer just something you do or do you really connect with God?  Literally, when we pray, we are talking and listening to the creator of the universe.  God can do anything, He knows everything and His ways are always right.  Prayer is meant to be taking seriously.

point 2.  How often do we pray for something and never look for the answer?  Maybe we don't think God cares or He can't answer.  Keep track of what you pray for and look for the answers God will give.  You might like His answer, but God knows your need and your heart.

point 3.  Do we use prayer as a last resort and just offer grace when we eat?  Both are wrong.  Pray is a constant and must be.  God wants to connect with us. He sent His son to die for us, and while Jesus was alive He often went away to pray, to spend time with God.  We can do the same.

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Spend time praying.  It is between you and God (which is the most important part of prayer, although I love to pray with others).  That time that I spend with my God will impact what God does in and through my life in the future.  I leave you with a story Jesus told, and I encourage you to take a day to pray!

9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 "Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don't cheat, I don't sin, and I don't commit adultery. I'm certainly not like that tax collector!12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.' 13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.' 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.  One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns.  When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.  Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns.  Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.  Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"  Beverly said, "Why yes I do."  Edith said, "Well, what do you

why is it Good Friday?

  Holy Week is the time we focus on God and His gift of salvation.  We come to Friday.  The day we remember the cross, Jesus’ death and all God has done for you and me   Why do they call this day “Good Friday” because it doesn’t seems good?   Jesus was treated as a criminal.  He was beaten so much that He could not recognize Him.  His pain would have been too much for you or me to endure.  That is especially from Scripture I’ve read or as in the movie the  Passion of the Christ .   Yet it is a good day.  It is Good Friday because God had our good in His heart.  What Jesus did that day changed our forever direction. Here are some thoughts that come to me:   He is Redemption and Redeemer   He too our Pain and Punishment   He is our Righteousness and Reality   He is the Savior and Life   All of those happened from the cross.  It was meant for the worst lawbreakers.  It was not meant for a Savior who never broke a law.  It was lifted high so that onlookers could see the price Jesus.   Look

Day 8 in Cuba

We have just come off and incredible weekend, and it is day 8 of the mission trip in Cuba.  Thank you to all who have been praying for this trip, the mission team and the impact it will have on those we serve.   Please don’t stop praying. Last week Alex and I served with a mission team in the mountains of southern Cuba.  There were several challenges, but God gave us safety, provision and opportunity to serve some of the sweetest people I have ever met.  No running water… sporadic electricity generated by a small, logo dammed up river, no transportation other than animals, limited food sources and more.  These people love the Lord and sharing their faith with others. Over the weekend we made our way back to Havana.  On Friday our vehicle broke down leaving us on the side of the road for several hours.  We then boarded a bus and rode 14 hours.  We arrived safely and even got some rest. Sunday was so, so good.  We visited two partner churches.  In the morning we were with one church that