PRAYER

Googling online Biblical dictionaries for the word ‘prayer’ did not yield much success.

The easyenglish.bible defines ‘prayer’ quite simply as: “the words that we say when we talk to God.”

AI offered this definition: “The Bible defines prayer as a two-way communication with God, involving talking, listening, and acting in faith. It’s not just a one-time petition but an ongoing, intimate relationship. Key components include adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication, as modeled by Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer.”

I believe those are both great definitions. Have you viewed prayer simply as the times we talk to God? Prayer is merely sharing our hearts and thoughts through words with God at any time no matter where we are.

Do you talk to God continually throughout your day–from asking Him to help you say something comforting to someone you see struggling, to when you are in a hurry and need a convenient parking space to open up?

AI’s noting that prayer is: “a two-way communication and an ongoing, intimate relationship with God” is spot on in my humble opinion. We need to listen and act in faith when we hear His voice or feel His prompting.

 

Photo courtesy of Chronic Joy® under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC 2.0)

 

Jesus demonstrated and taught us the most important prayer we can pray.

 “This, then, is how you should pray:

‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’”  –Matthew 6:9-13  (NIV)

 

Take a few minutes to reflect on the wisdom of these thoughts when you pray.

 

 

If we talk to God using the words wish, hope, or think doesn’t it seem like WE are in charge knowing what is best in our lives? Sure, we can be honest with God to share those wishes and hopes with Him, but remember that it is best to live knowing, trusting, and believing in God.

 

What do we know?

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  –Romans 8:28  (NLT)

We know that God works everything out for our good! He is our Father who wants only the best for us, His children. Just as Jesus suffered greatly for our salvation, we experience suffering in our lives. But, we know that God can make good out of our suffering just as He did with Jesus’ suffering that graced us with salvation.

 

What do we trust?

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”  –Jeremiah 17:7-8  (ESV)

We trust the Lord! The Lord made us and everything in this beautiful world. We need to continually grow and walk in trust with Him. Our lives will be lush and green as we remain in constant touch with the source of our trust. All we come in contact with will see the fruit of that trust.

 

What do we believe?

“But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord. “You are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God—there never has been, and there never will be.”  –Isaiah 43:10  (NLT)

We believe that God is God of all! What a privilege we as humans have that we can be intimate with, know, believe in, and understand that God is a wonderful God who loves us unconditionally. He is the one and only.   

 

 

If we pray with words like know, trust, and believe it seems we acknowledge that God is above all. We trust in His power and strength to get us through everything.

How ‘God’ to see this right before publishing. May you smile as you reflect upon it.

The first ever cordless phone was created by God. He named it ‘prayer.’ It never loses its signal and you never have to recharge it. Use it anywhere.

 

Be encouraged this week to…

… talk with God about everything–He truly cares.

… take time to listen for His voice and lead.

… daily pray the Our Father reflecting on the words.

… know that God is working good even in the difficult circumstances in your life.

… trust the Lord is walking with and guiding you.

… believe that God alone is God of all.

 

REFLECTION:
Do you need to work most on the knowing, trusting, or believing in your prayer?
What was a difficult situation that you grew in trust through?

 

May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.  –Psalm 141:2  (NIV)