I’ve
been thinking a lot about prayer lately.
Maybe it’s because I need prayer like I’ve never needed it before – well actually I’ve always need it.
But it just seems like prayer has taken
the forefront of my mind and heart recently. But
it hasn’t always been this way for me. . .
To
be honest, I have wrestled a lot with this thing called prayer . . .
*Why does God want us to pray when He knows
what we need even better than we know ourselves?
*What good does my prayer even do? Who am I to change God’s mind or challenge
Him on His ideas?
*How do I know that I am praying in “God’s
Will”? Can anyone really know the will
of God?
These
and other questions have gone over and over and around and around in my mind as I’ve tried to work out this
idea of prayer. It seems like prayer
comes so naturally to some people. They
find no trouble in praying “without ceasing”.
But me, well I’ve always struggled.
But
as I’ve grappled with this, I have come to realize that it’s not really about my questions
but more about my heart. And God has shown me that I’ve
allowed my questions to hinder my pursuit of prayer.
I've learned that prayer
is a conversation with my Heavenly Father.
It's pouring out my heart to Him; declaring my frailness and His strength, my simplemindedness and
His wisdom, my need and His provision. It's a place of vulnerability.
Prayer
is a place of humility . . . it willingly
admits that we NEED God, that we are DEPENDENT on Him, that we CANNOT do it
without Him.
Just
as a loyal citizen kneels before their king to declare their submission to his decisions, laws and judgments, we proclaim the
same thing when we pray. Turning to God
in prayer for guidance and help declares that, “He is God and we are not.” It’s our way of surrendering to His Ways, His
Work and His Will for our lives.
In
Psalm 143:6-7 David declares his
dependence to his TRUE KING . . .
Let me hear of Your
unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting
You. Show me where to walk, for I give
myself to You. Rescue me from my
enemies, Lord; I run to You to hide
me. Teach
me to do Your will, for You are my God.
May Your gracious Spirit lead me
forward on a firm footing.
In
these verses it’s easy to see David’s posture in His prayer. He is kneeling before his King offering his
trust, asking for guidance and surrendering to His leading.
Do
you struggle with prayer? Have you allowed your questions to hinder your prayers? Maybe
you’re "kneeling" on the outside but not on the inside? Whatever it may be, I encourage you to let go
and turn to the One who is ready and waiting to hear from you.
1
Peter 5:6-7 promises, "So humble yourselves
under the mighty power of God and at the right time he will lift you up in
honor. Give all your worries and cares
to God, for he cares about you."
Amen! It's all about Him and our heart attitude before Him.
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