Contemplating prayer.

Prayer is talking to God. Believers communicate with God, make requests and receive guidance. We all know about prayer, but maybe we have different ideas of what it is. Some prayers are memorized and used for particular occasions by tradition. Unfortunately, when I recite a memorized prayer, it takes little thought and often my heart isn't in it. It?s nice for those around the table or in the room to hear, but can this be called communicating with my Lord God?

Prayer is described as Asking, meaning a making a demand. It is also described as Petitioning, meaning making a formal request. Those of us who pray make requests for ourselves or for others, or for our country. Sometimes we pray our gratefulness, thanking God for his care and for his love, or for everything he's done in creation.

I've been told God knows everything already, so why do I need to pray? I remember reading that Jesus went to a mountain to be alone and to pray. Luke 6:12 says he prayed to God all night. If the Son of God, who led a perfect life, felt the need to be in prayer, to be in close communication with His Father, how much more do I need it?

According to Jesus, in Matthew 7:7, we should keep on asking, keep on looking, and to keep on knocking on God?s door. He will answer our prayer. We keep trusting that we will find what we look for. The door between us and our Heavenly Father will open.

1 Chronicles 16:11 commands; search for the LORD and for his strength, and keep on searching.

Prayer is sincere communication between us and God. It isn't necessary that it is well-constructed. It doesn't even have to be made up of complete sentences. Even when a prayer is spoken aloud, the one we?re speaking to and the one who is listening, is our Creator. Approval comes from him and he delights in hearing each prayer.

Proverbs 15:8 tells us the Lord delights in the prayers of the upright. Who are the upright? Those who love him.

To see answered prayer, we must do one thing-Pray. Pray earnestly, consistently, and persistently. The more I study about Jesus, and the more I get to know him, the more convinced I become that he hears every word.

One more thing: After petitioning, listen.

"To have God speak to the heart is a majestic experience, an experience that people may miss if they monopolize the conversation and never pause to hear God's responses." Charles Spurgeon



Relaxing fiction reading. Read all three in the series.