One of the beautiful things about being saved is the vertical relationship we get to enjoy right now – not someday after we die.
From your Heavenly Father’s perspective, there’s nothing that would please Him more than to be in constant contact with His children. You could never communicate with Him too often. We might get tired of hearing someone’s voice – but not Him!
He is delighted when we initiate communications with Him – whether it’s a prayer of thanks, worship and praise or the ‘uploading’ of an anxiety; or, the out-pouring of grief, or the confession of a sin or a plea for help. His ear is open 24/7, waiting to hear from you. Unlimited long-distance calling – night or day! Imagine – unlimited access to the Eternal God! That’s even better than quick access to a prime minister, queen or president.
We are invited to pray to our God with confidence. Enjoy this verse:
For we do not have a high priest (a reference to the Old Testament worship system) who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one [Jesus] who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near [in prayer] to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16
When you read through the four Gospels, look for the number of times Jesus prayed. He’s the perfect example of One who stayed in touch with His Father in Heaven non-stop.
Prayer is a simple upward cry. Romans 8:15 Prayer is a call. Jeremiah 33:3 Prayer is asking. Luke 11:9 Prayer is communion with the Lord.
The disciples wanted to know more about prayer. They asked Jesus: “Lord, teach us to pray.” Luke 11:1. Jesus mentioned a few things to the disciples about ‘how’ to communicate with their Heavenly Father.
God values sincerity in our prayers. God always hates pretense, show, and hypocrisy. You can look up these verses: Matthew 6:5-7
God values reality and clarity in our prayers. He doesn’t appreciate vain repetitions, overused prayer clichés or complex, highfalutin sentences. We shouldn’t be pompous, artificial or unnatural in our prayers. In fact, we are supposed to pray humbly. James 4:6, 2Chronicles 7:14
Although there are times when you will be praying with others and you will need to be sensitive to their presence, remember you are first and foremost praying to God – not them.
Prayer is an incredible privilege for us and a resource that eclipses all other possibilities. So let’s be reverent, respectful, real and robust in our prayers. It just seems right to start our prayers with praise and worship for our God and appreciation for His Son Jesus – followed by our requests. Commence with a thank-you and then move forward with your requests.
Daniel is an impressive character in the Old Testament. Early in life, he was captured in the overthrow of Jerusalem and taken to pagan Babylon. Despite intense pressure from peers and officials, Daniel remained faithful to God, refusing to bow to their idols.
Daniel had a robust prayer habit. (Daniel 6:10) Down through history, anyone who ever amounted to anything for God had a very active prayer life.
How did Daniel overcome so many hurdles in his life? By prayer! How did he keep an excellent spirit when circumstances were so adverse? By prayer! How did he become influential when he was in captivity? By prayer! How did he keep from doing wrong and ruining his clean record? By prayer! How did he survive as an administrator under the reign of several kings? By prayer! How did he emerge from the den of lions without a scratch or a skin puncture? By prayer!
Daniel established the practice of prayer. He had a designated private place to pray. Physically, he adopted a kneeling posture for praying. He also dedicated three specific times each day when he would communicate with his God.
Daniel realized he needed God. There was nothing haphazard about his prayer life. He was intentional and deliberate. The result was a very effective prayer life.
In addition to your structured prayer life, we are always to be in the spirit of prayer 24/7 (1Thessalonians 5:17). You can breathe out five-second prayers throughout the day – perhaps when you are jogging. You will want to say a 15-second prayer, thanking God for your food before each meal. Your relationship will grow with the Lord as you talk to Him often – regularly and spontaneously.
Assignment for today:
- Write down some of the things in your life that you are worried about. Also, list some of the things in the lives of others that you could pray for. Try going over this list each day this week as you pray.
- Underline in your Bible the verses mentioned above about prayer.
- Look up the old hymn and read it: “What a Friend we have in Jesus…”
