How Can I Pray?
Good Morning Friends,
This life will soon pass. Only what is done for Christ will last. So claim this day for Him. Make it count by encouraging others, by building up a life of character. Remember the first prayers of your youth. “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” Remember the youth that did not make though the night. But also remember that each day brings new mercies and we have a chance to rejoice in them…each day brings new blessings and we have a chance to not only receive but give them. Friends, each day brings something unexpected and in this uncertainty we are to expect Christ. So today we are to be ready to meet God. We are to discover and rediscover God this day…remembering that the same praise we offer before a storm is the same praise we need to offer during and after one. We need to remember that God is near and as close as a prayer that matures us. So, How Can I Pray?
Scripture: Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
Proverbs 27:1 (NRSV)
Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 118:19-29 (NRSV)
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Psalm 145:18 (NRSV)
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:1-2 (NRSV)
Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:18 (NRSV)
Message: Prayer does not give you spiritual power. Prayer aligns your life with God so that He chooses to demonstrate His power through you. The purpose of prayer is not to convince God to change your circumstances but to prepare you to be involved in God’s activity. Prayer is the coming of the Holy Spirit into our lives. When the Spirit is palpable then we are praying. The Psalmists prayed prayers for singing and sang words as prayers of the breath. The wisdom writers focused on specific matters of emotions and behavior to make us more in line with God’s way. The fervent prayer of the people at Pentecost did not induce the Holy Spirit to come upon them. Prayer brought them to a place where they were ready to participate in the mighty work God had already planned. Never take God’s gift of prayer for granted. He has given us ears to hear. He has given us eyes to see. He has given us a tongue to talk and legs to walk in prayer. So rejoice in the Lord for we have spiritual food on the table. This is the day the Lord has made… Let us rejoice and be glad in it and live it as a prayer. Let us praise and worship God for Who He is. Let us ask God to cleanse us from sin. Let us believe in and acknowledge God’s grace. Let our specific prayer requests be offered in communion with the saints and for the glory of God.
Pray that the Lord will show His goodness and loving kindness in our lives. Pray that when defeat seems imminent, He will lead us to victory. Pray that despite all the problems of life we find joy. Pray that this day we wake up in the joy of a new day…pray we dress up with a smile that comes from knowing God. Pray we shut up when we are about to grumble… Pray we stand up for our belief in Jesus….Pray we look up to Him for our every need…Pray we reach up to Him when everything else fails…pray we lift up to Him all of our burdens and cares with gratitude. Praying…rejoicing in the Lord. Pray the Lord’s Prayer. Pray the Apostles’ Creed. Pray the doxology. Pray about the events of the day and day to come with a focus on those moments we were or hope to be aware of God’s presence. Pray in the memory of the mysteries of joy and sorrow and light and God’s glory. Pray for our motivation, attitudes and plans be a way of glorifying God. Pray our prayers arise spontaneously from our heart—whether in intercession, praise, repentance, or gratitude for both life. Pray our prayers are in unity with the greater life to come on earth as in heaven.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 