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stop & pray


Prayer is one of the greatest ways that we stay connected to God.  As we understand and believe that we are Christians and followers of Jesus, we recognize that there are several ways to stay connected to God.  One is by being part of a church that speaks the truth of the Bible.  Another way is to have relationships with Christians who are seeking God.

Prayer makes staying close to God a reality and makes us stronger.   We hear from Him and share our hearts with God through prayer.  It is something often overlooked and misunderstood.  Yet when we have a better understanding of prayer, we will use it each day and more.

A simple conversation is an easy way to understand prayer.  Just like you are talking to a friend that you care about, it is a conversation that goes both directions, listening and speaking.  Prayer connects us to God, and we don’t have to use big words or Bible words like Thee and Thou or have to be able to pronounce Bible names and places so we can connect to Him.

Ephesians 1:18-22  NLT
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.  I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.  Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.  God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.

This prayer came from Paul and includes powerful pieces that will give us a stronger prayer life and greater understanding.  Paul prayed “that your hearts will be flooded with light” which is something that can only come from God.  Again, light is the opposite of darkness, and light gives us insight that we can’t gain a part from God.

In the same prayer Paul said “you can understand the confident hope he has given” to us who know and follow God.  We can be confident in who God is and who we are in Him.

We can “understand the incredible greatness of God’s power” because we miss what God does when we are not expecting and looking for His greatness.  Further, Paul confesses that “God has put all things under the authority of Christ” who is our connection and path to God.  We are lost without Jesus Christ.  Jesus is our confidence.

Prayer will change us when we allow our lives to grow stronger with understanding that comes from God.  I want greater confidence and strength.  The connection I have with God I wouldn’t trade for anything.  That is why I want to make it stronger. 

Prayer gives us a great connection to God.  A stronger connection comes with understanding.  I did not say that you and I will get more of God or be better Christians with stronger prayer lives.  Prayer connects us to a better understanding and stronger connection to God.  I want that!  How about your?

NOTE: this post was first shared in February of this year.
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