Prayer Works

It was a great church service today.The focus is on prayer - both in our small groups and from the pulpit. Also, the week of Jan 23 it is our Faith Enrichment Days with emphasis on...you guessed it...PRAYER.  They are calling it 'Prayer Works'.

I think it can be taken two ways. (1) Prayer Works! - meaning just that - prayer does work. Why not try it if you haven't already! And if you haven't, here are some great ways to find out how easy and productive and fulfilling it can be.

The 2nd way is 'Prayer Works' meaning different prayer venues or ways to pray and how to pray.

Now, this may not be what the church had intended with this title at all but is simply my reaction to the wording because I do love words.  But, this morning's sermon stuck with me in that Pastor Phil (the Young Adults Pastor) suggested:  "Have you ever tried to pray differently than you normally do to add some new perspective into your prayer life?" 

 Wow, 'differently'? What did he mean by that? So he proceeded to tell us. Example...
(1) Pray HONESTLY. Whoa! Was he suggesting that we might lie when we pray? No. But I guess we sometimes aren't honest with ourself when we pray. Jeremiah 20:7 "O Lord, you deceived me, and I was deceived."  "Jerry" is angry with God and tells him so in his prayer. Can God take it? You bet! He's God! But the idea is that he is open and truthful and sharing how he is feeling with God (who, by the way, already knows anyway)!

(2) Pray CREATIVELY - Now you're talking. I wanted to hear more about this one! Psalm 33:1 Sing joyfully to the Lord...praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. 

So, make music, make up songs, even dance in front of the Lord. Be creative. I think that also means, word pictures, letters, song.  Do what you do best or most comfortably to make your encounters with him meaningful and delightful and exciting and enjoyable. Thus my blog!

(3) Pray about EVERYTHING - Nehemiah 2:4 What is it you want? Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered..." and Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  Nothing is too small to God about your life. Nothing is insignificant to God.

(4) Pray NON-STOP - 1 Samuel 1 Hanna who was barren prayed continually for a child and God granted her prayer. Pray without ceasing.

Now, take swimming for example. When you don't know how to swim, nothing seems to keep you afloat. But...once you learn how...it seems like you can never sink. Same thing with prayer.

So, not the method so much, but 'how you best connect with God. What works? what doesn't? What's most natural for you. Find the best fit and then... just... do... it.!

Amen.

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