Day 3: Just Pray

​All throughout my childhood, my family lived in a very public spotlight.  Because of that pressure and the image we were supposed to maintain, we were never allowed to talk about anything to anyone.  To some that seems extremely sad, but today I’m thankful for one of the greatest spiritual lessons I could have learned.  I had to have been nearing 12 years of age or maybe even a bit younger while laying in bed one night.  It had been another extremely rough week in our ministry and family,  and as I laid there I remember saying, “Dear God…..”    That was it.  To me,  prayer was kind of like a phone call.  You dial up God by calling his name,  and then you hang up when you say “amen.”  So,  I figured that in the middle of this loneliness, I’d keep my Heavenly Father  on the line all night.  As long as I never said “amen” I could count on the fact that he was there and he was listening.

Psalm 34:17The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Psalm 18:3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Amid the hundreds of verses regarding prayer,  here are a couple of my top 10.  I know we emphasized prayer yesterday,  but as I was seeking the Lord on today’s topic,  I couldn’t escape the impression that the Lord had something left to say.  I wonder, have you prayed yet today?

Prayer is the most effective tool in our toolbox.  It’s the mightiest weapon in our artillery.  It’s the most effective medicine.  And it’s the sweetest sentiment to God.  As our Father,  he wants to hear his children pray.  Someone once asked, “if God knows everything, why do I even need to say anything?”  Because when we speak his name we enter in a special, holy place.  His heart is touched by our faith.  His response is filled with grace.  Truly prayer moves the heart that moves the hand that moves the world.

I truly believe that every failure in life is a prayer failure.  And the greatest indicator of our faith is not the things we pray for, but rather how we respond when God provides them.  Why is it,  knowing that he is a good Father who wants to provide for his children, that we are often surprised when our prayers are answered? James writes to us in chapter 1 that we should ask for wisdom in faith. Nothing wavering.  The double-minded, wavering, man who prays shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Friend, whatever issues you face at your job or at home today, there is a God who cares.  He is moved with compassion upon your requests.  He reserves his greatest blessings for those who ask in faith.  God longs to hear your voice, and hopes to hear from you without ceasing, all day long.  You can ramble. You can rant.  You can cry in anguish or rejoice in happiness.  You never bore God.  He always picks up when you call.  His reception is always crystal clear  He never drops a signal.  And best of all, his family plan is unlimited and the cost is free.  He’ll stay on the line with you all day long,  and silence is never awkward to him. 

As a church we don’t have specific prayer requests today other than just to PRAY. Give it a shot!