3 Things I Know About Prayer

Prayer is such a huge topic, so widely studied, so deep and immense that I don’t think I could ever fully explain prayer.  But here are 3 things I do know about prayer:

1. Prayer is your line of communication with God.  Without prayer, there is no communication.Prayer is like your communication in any other relationship.

   BUT…you can’t text God.  You can’t call Him on the phone.  You can’t send Him a Facebook message, and you can’t write Him a letter.  Which makes Him seem really far away at first, but what’s really awesome about this is that you don’t have to wait to talk to Him.  He’s up 24/7, so you can talk to Him whenever you want.  In the car, in the shower, in the middle of the night.  At work, in the library, or at the kids’ soccer practice, you can pray.

   And no matter what, He’ll listen.  He won’t interrupt you.  He won’t make you feel guilty.  And He’ll let you say whatever you want.

   But just like any relationship, you need to communicate with Him on a regular basis.  You can’t just pray when you’re in trouble and expect Him to bail you out.  That’s not relationship.  The best relationships rely on open, frequent communication.  And that’s why we are to “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)  God knows us inside and out no matter what, but He created us and He loves us and He wants us to have that two-way communication.  He wants to hear from us.  Prayer allows us to draw closer God so we can hear Him when He whispers to us.

2. There is no one way to pray.
   Some people prefer to have a quiet prayer time, others can pray anywhere and in any circumstance.  Some people love to lift their arms up to God with their eyes open, others like to fold their hands and close their eyes.  It doesn’t matter.  All that matters is the experience.
3. When all else fails, pray the scriptures.
   When you don’t know what else to say, when the words won’t come or they’re just too hard to say.  Or even if you’re just lost, confused, or hurt, pray the scriptures.

   According to bibleinfo.com, there are as many as 3,573 promises in the Bible.  God won’t break a promise.  If all else fails, find a scripture and pray a promise.

   Search the Psalms when you are lost or hurt or when you have sinned.  Pray the scriptures of repentence or of deliverance.  God will hear you.

I don’t always remember to pray.  Sometimes I fall asleep praying.  But I always find myself praying little bits and pieces throughout the day.  God wants to hear from you whatever the circumstance.  So pray whenever and however possible, and you’ll find yourself growing in your relationship with Him.

And if you still need more help, visit rachelwojo.com, The Better Mom, or The Unveiled Wife.  They have some great prayers written out.