Embrace the Power of Prayer - Make it a Priority!

Last week, we talked about the importance of spiritual discipline in our lives as believers. As you pondered spiritual disciplines, did you find an area in which you needed help or guidance? One area in which all believers need help at one time, or another is prayer. Why? The fast-paced world we live in is often one of anxiety and stress. Yet in Philippians 4:6-7, God’s Word commands us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” 

Yes, it is a command because prayer is hard work. From childhood, we strive for self-sufficiency, independence, self-reliance, but the practice of prayer goes against those values. It is one of the reasons the spiritual discipline of prayer is so hard for us but there are other reason, too. Prayer takes time. Prayer requires attention. Prayer must be a priority. “I don’t know what to pray,” is often our excuse. 

The fact is prayer is simply talking to God. That’s it. Prayer is simply talking to God as you would talk to a trusted friend or family member. You can pray with God any time, any place; and you can ask Him anything! Even better, unlike friends who might lose focus on what you are saying, God never does – He always hears our prayers! When we speak, God hears, and He answers – through His Word, through our circumstances, even through other believers. In 1 John 5:14-15, the apostle John explains, “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.”

 When instituting the spiritual discipline of prayer into your life, it is important to realize, prayer is not only about asking God for what we want, after all no solid relationship is built like that! An important part of prayer is praising God for who He is and all He does. Prayer is also a time to confess our sins and shortcomings. Prayer is a time to thank God for His goodness and His blessings in our lives. 

Whenever we pray, our heart attitude and our faith are key. This week as we add the spiritual discipline of prayer, may we have a right heart as we open up the conversation through prayer and grow our relationship with Him.