We are called to zealous prayer life! Prayer is a tremendous gift from God. Just think about having a direct prayer line to God Almighty! Pretty awesome!!

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12, NIV)

God wants to participate in our lives. Through prayer we are able to connect with God in a very special way. We are his children. He is our Father.

Prayer is not supposed to be a monologue, we are invited to listen to what God has to say to us. So don’t rush through your prayers. Take time to linger in God’s healing presence.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Col.4:2, NIV)

Be certain that you don’t try to use God for your own purposes! God is not a tool we use to get things done our way. God knows what’s best for us. We are to approach God humbly with open hearts and minds. We are not to bring our own agenda on the table as an order for God to act upon. Sure, we are to bring our problems and concerns to God but not with ready-made solutions. We are to leave the solutions up to God.

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.”(James 5:13-14, NIV)

We are to pray fervently until burden is lifted or our prayer is otherwise answered. Because God really does answer prayers! Sometimes it just takes longer than we’d like. Sometimes answers are something else than we’d like. Sometimes we forget to look around for answers. But God does answer prayers. God cares about us. God is in action in our lives.

When you cry out your prayers you can be certain that God hears you. God hears you and is right with you. Even if you don’t feel it. You can count on the promises of the Bible: God is always by your side.

 

Gracious God,
Thank you for the gift of prayer.
Thank you for wanting to participate in our lives.
Guide is in our prayer life.
Teach us to pray without ceasing,
to listen to you, to desire your will.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: What can I pray for you today?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you practice zealous prayer life!

Picture courtesy of Christians Unite

Parts of this blog post has previously been published (2-2010).