Most of us have a personal definition of prayer. For some of us, it’s a mystery. We don’t quite understand why God is so willing to lean in and talk to us. After all, we’re just doing our best to live a decent life. Some of us imagine we commune best with God when we’re walking on a mountain path or staring up at a moonlit sky. That sense of peace can certainly feel like a prayer. Some of us seek God when we’re in trouble, or we feel troubled for the circumstances someone dear to us is experiencing. The fact is that whether we’re foxhole pray-ers or early morning pray-ers, we have the opportunity to take advantage of the greatest gift God could give humanity. He opened the channels of communication just for us. He instigated this thing called prayer. He instructed us to call on His name any time we needed His help, His comfort, His direction for our lives. He made it possible!
Imagine what it would be like if you were facing a dark moment, a sense of confusion or hopelessness, and you had nowhere to turn for help? Imagine what it would mean if you could not bow your head, or raise your arms, or sit silently in the presence of the One who designed everything you know. It seems to me that prayer is the greatest privilege of being human. It is the most important heart-to-heart dialogue you will ever have. Why? Because you ask and God hears. God hears and at precisely the right time, He answers. He answers because you are precious. You are one of the most important humans He ever designed. He was there when you were knit in your mother’s womb, it says in Psalm 139. That means He knows you and there is never anything you need to hide from Him. He sees you and loves you just as you are.
So, sometimes I wonder why it takes us so long to ask God for help. If we had access to some of the greatest sages, teachers, and thinkers of all time, wouldn’t we be continually bombarding them with questions, and waiting for instructions and messages that would help us live better lives? Ah, but we do have that kind of access. We can tune in to God before we get into difficulty. We can seek His help before we make a life-changing decision or before we act on a temptation and lose our way. God is ready anytime to meet us and help us. If only we would start with Him, instead of choosing HIs help as a last resort.
I simply want to encourage you to trust that God is there and know that He cares about every detail of your life. He wants good things for you, and He will show up when you call His name. All you have to remember is that prayer was God’s idea in the first place. He invites you into a conversation any time you choose. Prayer is a rock. It’s a place you can stand that will always lift you up and give you strength.
Let’s always pray for one another. Let me know how I can pray for you.
And here’s where it started: Seth also had a son, and they named him Enosh. At that time people began to pray to the Lord.” Genesis 4:26, NCV