Turning to God in Prayer
I couldn’t help but think as I meditated on today’s scripture of the Moslem practice of directional prayer. People, wherever they are and whatever they are doing, coming to a time of prayer. Now certainly our prayer is different. It is not a five time a day fixed ritual. We are to pray unceasingly where we are and our physical position is not fixed. But there is something to be said for facing the same direction. There is something to be said for Turning to God in Prayer.
Scripture:”The psalmist wrote, “Lord, you have examined me. You know me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up. Even from far away, you comprehend my plans.”
Psalm 139:1-2 (CEB)
The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.
James 5:15-18 (NRSV)
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually.
1 Chronicles 16:11 (NRSV)
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
Message: In today’s devotional and scripture we explore the power, purpose and pleasure of prayer in our daily lives. We discovery that in prayer and in the middle of life’s pressure, confusion, failure and daily living, God provides a way through the difficulties. Here we repentantly asks God to deal with it, to show the next step. By God’s grace we are encouraged and prompted to pray to a God that works out His desire, design and direction in our life day by day. We are to be patient and persistent, and let God begin to reveal His will for us in our lives…His peace, His joy of spiritual growth that takes place in the everyday. We are to have enthusiasm even in our trouble…especially in our trouble.
This morning, whether you are a person who believes in the power of prayer or not, I want to encourage you. You may not see, but our God does see it all and if you turn to him you might just get a glimpse of the Spirit at work. I think it is our deep desire to have the Spirit awaken in us and in community. Prayer is most assuredly the pathway for the change. Here God can use prayer to satisfy you with the deep love of God. The truth is that we are living in a day and an age where we really need the kind of prayer that changes things….gives us new direction. I love to see lives transformed by prayer. I love to see a fellowship that gives us opportunity to turn to God. So encourage one another in prayer.
Here is what some others have said about prayer:
Will Rogers said: “The trouble with our praying is, we just do it as a means of last resort.”
Satchel Paige, pitcher who last played for the KC A’s and passed away in 1982: “Don’t pray when it rains if you don’t pray when the sun shines.”
E. M. Bounds wrote: “TROUBLE and prayer are closely related to other. Prayer is of great value to trouble. Trouble often drives men to God in prayer, while prayer is but the voice of men in trouble. There is great value in prayer in the time of trouble. Prayer often delivers out of trouble, and still oftener gives strength to bear trouble, ministers comfort in trouble, and begets patience in the midst of trouble. Wise is he in the day of trouble who knows his true source of strength and who fails not to pray.
Pray our prayers are pure in heart. Pray our prayers are forgiving in Spirit. Pray our prayers are unwavering in faith. Pray our prayers are righteously motivated. Pray our prayers seek God’s will. Pray our prayers honor Jesus. Pray our prayers awaken the Spirit who knows the heart of God and the Son’s wishes. Pray we walk by faith even when the sight of things in this world is not good.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 