Anytime, Anyplace

Prayer:

     Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: " In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town there who kept coming to him with the plea, ' Grant me justice against my adversary."
     " For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ' Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!"
     And the Lord said..." Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you he will see that they get justice, and quickly...."
     This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him....
     " Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will e opened to you."

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8; 1 John 5:14-15; Matthew 7:7

Defining Moments:

     Praying comes to us pretty naturally when we accidentally start a grease fire on the stove or get caught out on the the lake in a lightning storm. But those who only know the number to God's 911 hotline are missing out on the simple pleasure of picking up the phone anytime they feel like it-day or night, weekends or holidays--and sharing their hearts with someone who always has the time to listen.
     Prayer is so many things and can take so many forms. It can be repeating a Bible verse that thanks God for His mercy or reassures you of His faithfulness. It can be your usual laundry list of family members and friends who need God's touch so much. It can be a request, a praise. A smile, a tear. Eyes closed, eyes open. Just you and Him.
     So begin committing yourself to the practice of prayer--even when things are going smoothly, even when you feel like you've got everything under control. In prayer, He will lead you by the hand into His very presence and walk beside you every step of the way.

Next Up:

Prayer helps you put your thoughts into words, to sense the deep love of the Father. But journaling makes sure your conversation doesn't disappear into thin air.

Developing an attitude of prayer will change you from an aimless wanderer to a mighty warrior.

     " The powers of the eternal world have been placed at prayer's disposal. It is the essence of true religion, the channel of all blessings."
   --Andrew Murray