Good morning. I know that many, perhaps most, of us have great intentions to begin each day with a significant time of prayer. The problem is, when the reality of the day dawns we convince ourselves that while we would love to start the day with 15 minutes of prayer, we feel we don’t quite have the time. Consider this: On those days when you don’t feel you have the time for 15 minutes of prayer, that is the day you need to pray for an hour! This is because such a day of limited time is most certainly a day of stress, and rush, and panic, and annoyance, one that we need to give to the Lord. For many, perhaps most of us, that describes far too many of our days.
What army goes to battle without a plan of attack? Why, even football teams talk about their need to have solid offensive and defensive game plans and wouldn’t think of playing without them. Have you considered that taking those moments and minutes with the Lord in prayer is the way to allow Him to work within your spirit to guide you as you consider the various tasks and trials that lie ahead of you on any given day? To have a great day, we need a great plan. To have a great plan we need a great general-coach-guide to help us sort it out.
“I’ll just have to give it my best shot and hope for the best” is a very typical response to facing a problematic day. Really? Is that the best we can do? How has that line of thought been functioning for you lately? Clearly, we need help! The Lord has made it known in clear teaching from His Word that coming to Him for guidance, strength, confidence, inspiration, patience, and love is His desire for each of us every day. The Lord your God desires to be your strength and your help. Perhaps it is time to seek Him and to join with Him?
Consider the truths from these few passages of scripture which speak of the value of developing a powerful life of prayer:
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8
Did you notice that none of these scriptures are a command to pray? For that, we could mention scriptures like 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing…
I chose the scriptures above because they speak to me of the power and the reason in prayer. We serve, and love, our God who wants all the best for us each and every day. But for that to be achieved in fulness, we must come to Him, trust Him, listen to Him, and allow Him to help, strengthen, and guide.
God bless your day, and I pray that we each understand that for Him to truly do that, we must come to Him in prayer.
Vern