If you prayed as much as you worried, you would have a whole lot less to worry about. Agree?
“Worry is having a conversation with myself about things I cannot change. Prayer is having a conversation with God about things He can change.” – Jaime Sullivan
Our world is filled with fear and anxiety – not to mention our churches. Why? Because we do not take advantage of the gift of prayer. A prayerless person is fearful and anxious. A prayerful person is one of peace, confidence, and contentment.
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7
Today we kick off 21 Days of Prayer. I challenge and encourage you to take 15 minutes a day to connect with God for these 21 days. After that if it has not benefited you, then stop. But I think you’ll continue. I guarantee that if you pray the way in which Jesus taught us, you will experience a confidence and peace that otherwise you will never experience. I know that because I have experienced it.
We are instructed, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). Prayer is important because it helps us to stay close to God. It is a common awareness that a Christian’s life is no more powerful than his or her prayer life.
The more we talk and spend time with someone, the more we get to know them. The same thing happens when we spend time in prayer connecting with God. The more time we spend talking to Him, the closer we will become!
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV tells us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
When we pray, we are inviting God into our lives and asking for His guidance.
James encourages us to pray with this truth: “The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). This righteousness is not a matter of perfect human behavior but rather a state of being right with God through faith in Jesus. It is one who desires to be aligned with God’s will. “Powerful and effective” implies that the prayers of the righteous are not just heard by God but have the ability to produce positive outcomes and bring about change. That should motivate us to pray.
Prayer is a conversation with God. It’s a way for us to express our love, gratitude, fears, and desires, acknowledging God’s sovereignty in our lives. Prayer is not a spiritual power but a means of communicating and conversing with an all-powerful Person. Prayer is “powerful” – that is, meaningful and effective – only when and because it accesses a relationship with the one true God.
The power of prayer comes from the omnipotent One who hears our prayers and answers them. Prayer places us in contact with the Almighty God, and we should expect almighty results, whether or not He chooses to grant or deny our requests. Whatever the answer to our prayers, the God to whom we pray is the source of the power of prayer, and He can and will answer us, according to His perfect will and timing.
Prayer is so powerful that it does the most challenging thing, it changes us. It changes our hearts, and the Holy Spirit uses it to allow us to know our Father more deeply. He reveals His character and His love for us through prayer. He gently rebukes and guides us on His right path when we meet Him in prayer.
Remember, prayer is having a conversation with God – so it is much more than just presenting our wants and needs to God, it is also allowing God to speak to us.
- Prayer can help us focus on what is important.
- Prayer can help us stay hopeful in dark times.
- Prayer can help us feel connected to God on a deeper level.
- Prayer can help us deal with difficult emotions and situations.
- Prayer can help us find comfort and peace.
- Prayer can help us develop a stronger relationship with God.
- Prayer can help us become more compassionate people.
- Prayer can give us strength during difficult times.
- Prayer can help keep our minds and thoughts clear.
- Prayer is a way of communicating with Jesus and asking for guidance and support in our lives.
And so, let us pray.