I think this is a first, again. After 8 full years of gratitude. How have I missed "prayer"? I've written about it, but never actually selected "prayer" for a post.
I would say that these past eight years of intentional daily gratitude have led me into a deeper and richer prayer life. I remember the lesson of the first year. "Gratitude doesn't change God... it changes us." Intentional gratitude changes our prayers.
I don't wear many t-shirts, but this one was too cute not to share. "Pray on it. Pray over it. Pray through it." Prayer is our opportunity to be in daily conversations with our Lord. It isn't a chore.
It is a privilege to enter the powerhouse of prayer. How much time do we spend there?
One of my favorite scripture passages is 1 Thessalonians 5:17: "Never stop praying." (NLT)
The English Standard Version translates it like this: "Pray without ceasing." (ESV)
I love The Passion Translation : "Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (TPT)
We are not without a battle plan or an army of angels watching over us. Sickness, evil and sin are present, but we are never forgotten or alone. A desperate prayer whispered in the dead of night is heard, just like the ones offered at church. Our God inhabits the prayers of his people. He never leaves us.
Years ago, the movie "War Room" inspired many to evaluate and change their prayer life. Miss Clara stole the show with her feisty and fierce demeanor... and her faithful heart. She, also, inspired many people to re-examine how they prayed. Prayer can be a constant conversation not a timed event where we race to the "amen".
“Wrap your heart around that the next time you go through a struggle,” Clara said. “The goal of prayer is not to change God’s mind about what you want. The goal of prayer is to change your own heart, to want what He wants, to the glory of God.”
He longs to spend time with us. Yes, it is a privilege to enter the powerhouse of prayer.
Today, I am grateful for prayer.
No comments:
Post a Comment