Let me begin today’s post by inviting you to take part in a special day
of prayer. For many years in America the
first Thursday in May has been set aside as the National Day of Prayer. If you live in Martinsville or Henry County,
please join me at a special prayer event taking place on that take from 6 to
8pm in the gym at Patrick Henry Community College. I have been asked to share about families and
challenge our community to pray for our homes and families. If you do not live in our area, please find an
event or some friends to get with to pray.
One of
the things that sidetracks our lives the most is the problem of not
praying. Prayerlessness means that we
have disconnected from God on a regular basis.
For some Christians pray isn’t important. An occasional prayer before a meal or at
church is all that makes up our prayer life.
That just
doesn’t cut it. Jesus was our example of
what it is like to stay connected to God.
The Bible illustrates this often by telling us that Jesus went off by
Himself to spend time in prayer with the father. This can be seen even further from the cross
when Jesus asked His father why He was forsaking Him.
In
the early morning, while it was
still dark, Jesus got up, left the
house, and went away to a
secluded place, and was praying there.
There was
an important connection that could not and should not be broken. Prayer keeps us connected to God. Prayer keeps our hearts and minds sharp and
ready for what God is doing in and around our lives. Yet without prayer we are in a very difficult
situation.
Prayer
changes things. Often prayer changes us,
the one praying. Prayer also opens up
opportunities and doors that would not otherwise be open. Pray is much like practice and
preparing. When we do those things, our
senses are heightened and we begin to look for all God is doing.
Therefore,
confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be
healed. The effective prayer of
a righteous man can accomplish
much.
Prayer is
one of the most powerful disciplines of a Christian’s life because it makes us
connect and stay connected to our source of strength and of direction. Be careful that your prayer life is not one
sided.
Some
relationships are not balanced. Maybe
one person talks all the time and the other person cannot get a word in
edgewise. Prayer has many different
facets with the two biggest ones being speaking and listening.
Connect
to God in prayer. Listen to what He
shares. Watch God work in ways He alone
can work.
Once
again, join me this Thursday evening for a great time of prayer at the local
National Day of Prayer event. God has
much in store for us. That is why we
have to stay connected to Him!
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