According to the Population Reference Bureau, world population has exceeded seven billion people. Of those about 33% classify themselves Christian meaning more than two billion claim a relationship with God. I was taught God is big, but if all two billion Christians decided to pray simultaneously, could he handle it? Would mine get lost in the shuffle? I was also taught God was good, but after reading some stories in the Bible it seemed wise to fear him. Some laws required death by stoning when disobeyed and some people-Ananias and Sapphira, dropped dead for lying.
My parents taught me to pray as a young child-and I’ve maintained the practice. Yet I occasionally wonder how God keeps up with the numerous requests and whether disobedience in my life interferes with his answers.
David asked God to hear his prayer and was confident he would answer. Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. (Psalm 86:1)
God hears and answers the prayers of repentant sinners when they request forgiveness of their sins (Joel 2:32). And he is always ready to answer the prayers of his children but in his timing and according to his individual plan for us. Only unconfessed sin derails God’s answers (Psalm 66:18).
God teaches through prayer. As we pray his Word with teachable hearts, God uses his standards to convict, convince and encourage us concerning our circumstances and choices. Prayer also provides opportunity to cry for God’s help. Faithfulness to God always brings opposition, but he promises never to leave or forsake us.
Prayer is an indispensable element of our worship. God speaks through the Bible, other believers and circumstances, but prayer is an essential method he uses to share his will. By practicing it, we grow deeper and stronger in our relationship with him.
Setting aside quite moments, maintaining a constant attitude of prayer, finding peaceful reposes, sharing with other believers and journaling God’s answers are helpful ways to enhance our prayer experiences.
Prayer: Motivate us to prayer, Merciful Father, when life takes us to the mountain and when it deposits us in the valley.
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By practicing prayer, we grow deeper and stronger in our relationship with him: so true. I'm so thankful that we can never outpray or overload God!
ReplyDeleteIt is an amazing thing to have the ability to pray...that we have a direct way to communicate with God. And even more amazing is the fact that He hears our prayers, and that He moves in response to our prayers. If we could all learn to "pray continually"...what a life changing response there would be: in our own lives and relationship with Christ, and in the world!
ReplyDeleteWe should pray without ceasing.
ReplyDeletePrayer is the best cure for everything and there we can really feel that we are connected to God. Inspirational post:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a comfort it is to know that even if we did all pray at once, God could handle it!
ReplyDelete