Pray
I think prayer should be super informal. I remember the first time I heard a friend open his prayer up with: “Good evening, Lord”. I thought that was the coolest opening line in prayer ever. I had always heard formal beginnings. I do see prayer as communication between me and the Lord. That means that I’m not doing all the talking. I need to allow Him to speak into me. I believe that He speaks to me through His Word when I’m listening. I am currently enjoying the “H.E.A.R method” of daily Bible study. (H-highlight, E-explain, A-apply, R-respond)
Paul, Timothy, and Silas are all writing a letter to the church at Thessalonica, and they start this letter off with great compliments regarding the faith of the church. I love hearing the heart of these guys towards the fellow believers. Check this out…
2 We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. 3 As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 NLT)
I came away from this passage reminded to pray for others… a lot! I pray for my family every day. I pray for them to walk with the Lord and live their lives to honor Him. I think it’s huge for me to pray for others. I can pray for people I randomly meet as well as the people I interact with each day. I can pray for clients, customers, friends, jerks, and nice people. There is no one that I can’t pray for. (I think that my “tude” came out a bit regarding some people!)
Pray is a big deal. My prayers call upon the Lord to help, assist or intervene on behalf of someone or the situation being faced.
I pray to the Lord when I’m burdened.
I pray to the Lord when I’m tired.
I pray to the Lord when things are going my way.
I pray to the Lord when I’m confused.
I pray to the Lord when I’m concerned.
I pray to the Lord when I’m blessed beyond words.
When I pray, I’m simply acknowledging to the Lord that His help is needed. I want to always pray for His Will because I’m praying from my perspective. He sees things that I can’t see. I want to be grateful and humble in prayer. I don’t need a lot of words. I just need my heart to connect to the Lord’s heart.
Pressing On!
Dwayne