A grace-full writing ministry

You can read more devotionals by clicking the “Weekly Devotionals” menu item.

Bible New! Book previews of A Grace-full Challenge and Fruit Servings! Click Books to find out more!

2012: I resolve to pray more often

By Cait G. on January 27, 2012

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, [Jesus] went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. (Mark 1:3-5)

This is the last devotional of my Resolutions series. By now, if you have resolved to 1) get in shape, 2) spend more time with friends and family, and, 3) not stress out so much, then you are going to really need to keep this resolution. You need to start praying.

For those of us who believe, prayer is a gift from God. It’s like having a smartphone whose battery never dies, and no call is ever dropped. (I saw something like that on a friend’s wall, and it’s true.) The Lord makes Himself completely accessible to us, 24/7. It’s not only that He is above us, in heaven, but He also sent His Spirit to be within us, as a constant guide. God is omnipresent and He wants to listen to what we have to say.

One of the smartest things the apostles asked of Jesus (in Luke 11:1) was, “Teach us to pray.” Christ responded (in Matthew 6:5-8) by telling them not to orate with empty words that go on forever, showing off like some do in public. He instead said that they should go into their room, close the door, and pray. He even gave them an example of what to say, which is what we now call The Lord’s Prayer.

Jesus says that the Father knows our words before we even say them. So, you might wonder why you should say them at all? I think it’s a simple answer: we need to tell God because it benefits our souls to say the words, and it grows our relationship with Him.

Think about your relationships with people. Have you ever been so close to someone that you suspected they knew what was on your mind, and when you spoke out anyway, you felt this huge weight off your shoulders? Didn’t you end up feeling closer to that person afterward?

Those of you who are parents: have you even seen one of your small children admit they did something wrong, which you absolutely knew they did, and as they looked up to you with their big eyes and confessed, you just wanted to scoop them up?

If anyone does something for someone else and receives a word of thanks, even though you knew they would say that, isn’t still wonderful to express and receive gratitude?

God knows you inside and out, but to Him, you are His little child, who confesses problems and expresses gratitude and praise. Knowing what you are going to say doesn’t mean He wants you to keep it to yourself. He wants to communicate with you. He cares for you in more ways than you can imagine.

Does God answer us when we pray? Yup. In my experience and what I have observed, the Lord gives us customized responses. It can be a thought of revelation the bolts into your head. It can be events and people that pop out of nowhere, and you just know these are His doing. It can be a still small voice, or a major wake-up call. My favorite answer is the overwhelming sense of peace that comes in the middle of a situation that is devoid of peace.

When you pray, try to steal a moment alone. Praying with others is grand, but sometimes you need that one-on-one time with the Lord. If you don’t know how to pray, you can start of with the Lord’s prayer, but then just try speaking in your own words. Tell God why you are happy, sad, grateful, angry, lonely, busy, confused, sick, joyful, and whatever else you can think of. Even better, try to set aside a time each day to do it, like exercise for your spiritual health.

Jesus was surrounded by people when He carried out His mission on earth. So, knowing how important it was to pray to His Father, He woke up early, and found a quiet spot. A good example for those who are very busy. I personally know people who do this, people with a lot on their plate, and they have told me that it helps them tremendously. I can even see how their souls are contented by the look in their eyes and the joy they express. Yet, they still have a lot on their plates. The difference is that they know in their hearts that God is leading them through each day.

Remember this quote from four weeks ago?

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)

You need to pray to be godly, because we tend to imitate the person with the biggest influence over us. Let that be God!

My prayer for you reading this is that you know that you are truly loved and the door is open. The Lord wants to hear from you. Just believe it, and start talking.

Peace be with you as you go forth this year.