Do you ever just grow so weary of praying over and over and nothing seems to happen? Not all prayers are answered in our timing and sometimes not like we think they should be. I have had a tremendous burden for the United States lately and concerned that we are becoming more and more like a dictatorship yet I pray and believe God is still on the throne and He is working behind the scenes. There may be a situation with one of your children, perhaps a prodigal, but you just keep plugging away in prayer. Prayer indeed changes things.Maybe you are praying for a job opening since you are out of work.
There are times I rush into my day and say these little 'popcorn prayers' as I have heard them referred to. That is fine but with the busyness in our world and in our families why not try to schedule a prayer break in your day like a coffee break. Get alone with God and cry out to Him. The world will try to squeeze every possible minute out of your schedule leaving you precious little time for God let alone prayer. Make up your mind you have to do it daily and make it happen. I am not talking about the 'God is great, God is good' rote kind of prayer but sincerely communicating with your heavenly Father. Just talk to Him. He is not like the scary wizard behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz movie but he is real, kind, compassionate and loving. Cry out to Him!! Talk to him during your commute to work. Maybe turn off the radio and you and the Lord can have a talk, what do you think?
James 5:16 says "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." Never give up on prayer. You may feel like your problem is unreachable and God does not care but He does care and nothing shocks Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to "Pray without ceasing." Matthew 6:9-13 is the Lords' Prayer and it reads "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."
Now there is one thing to point out. God is not a big ogre but it says in Psalm 66:18 "If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." So get your heart and your attitude right with God. He loves you and He cares for you. 1 Peter 3:7 deals with prayers of husbands being hindered and it says "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers." So see there is more than just throwing that prayer out there. We have to do a few things to get our hearts right as well.
Are you discouraged, scared, lonely, perplexed or just simply want to say thanks to God? He is there in good times and bad times. Not everything in life goes as we would hope it will that is why the Lord is there and wants you to 'talk to Him' in prayer daily. Start your day by waking up and praising Him for another day He has blessed you with. Set aside time in your day to have prayer time with Him. Do more than the traditional meal time prayer but spend some time in sincere heartfelt prayer with the Lord. Just talk.
Start maybe by saying "Hi Lord, its' me again. Thank you for being here and listening to my prayers." Adore him, confess to him. thank Him and then share your needs and concerns.
Above all do not give up on God for He has not given up on you. Luke 18:1 says "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." What is on your heart today? Go to the Lord. He is ready and waiting to hear from you.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus I am thankful for the fact I can come to you 24 hours a day and you never shut down your 'prayer hotline'. Thank you for being there for me in times of joy or in crisis. Thank you for the times you have allowed me the opportunity to pray for others in need. Keep my heart tender to those hurting who need your touch and prayers. In Jesus Name. Amen.
NOTE: I love occasionally sharing uplifting appropriate music videos that go along with my devotion. When you have time to sit and relax listen to this song by the group Third Day. Be blessed.
http://youtu.be/TAk8KBjB6Mo
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