When You Pray"

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6 ESV)

Do you spend time with the Lord? I mean quality alone time. Quietly in prayer, meditating on His Word. I do, but I know it is not enough. I spend a significant amount of time in the Word, but I often remind myself that it is not enough. I need more time alone with the Lord.

It is easy to lose what is a necessary part of Christian devotion: prayer time. Jesus spent a lot of time in prayer: “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35). Seven times the gospels record Jesus seeking time alone with God, (Mark 1:12, 1:35, Mark 1:45/see Luke 5:15-16, Luke 6:12-13/see Mark 3:13, Matthew 14:23/ see Mark 6:46, Mark 6:31-32, Mark 14:32. Jesus was often found early in the morning, late in the evening, or all night in prayer, spending solitary time with the Father. We, too, need this time alone with God.

Failing to reenergize our spiritual batteries can lead to numerous problems. We often lose sight of the fact that God is in control. We often forget what God has told us to do, be, and act. The further we drift away, the darker things get, and the opening for sin presents itself. The enemy is always watching for a wayward child of God; weakened in spirit, we become an easy target. If Jesus, who was always in the Father and the Father in Him, needed isolation and prayer time, how much more do we? When we question or calling or we are not sure how to proceed in life, the only way to hear God's response is through prayer. By hear, I mean the movements of the Spirit.

In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul wrote, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (4:6). When we are lax in our prayer life, we become anxious about everything. We lose our direction. A boat without a compass, we need the gospel and prayer to anchor us in the reassurances of God. There is nothing you will pray that God will not hear. No word you speak in vain nor wasted in breath. God hears everything, and He knows what you need before you speak, but that does not mean it should not be spoken.

Our God is alive, He is eternal, and because of this, our relationship is a living union. Your loved one may know precisely what you will do and what you need when you return home from your ventures, but speaking to them and telling them what you need and what you want is essential. It is no different with God. He wants to hear your words because you are His child, His creation. Your words are a sign of faith and trust, and simply speaking in prayer conveys this to God, but it also reminds us of who God is and what He does for us every single day. Remember, God is always just a prayer away, ready to listen and respond.

Praying at all times, Pray without ceasing, continue steadfastly in praying, without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, Paul spoke in every epistle of constant, unending, steadfast praying. He did it for a reason. It is how we stay in contact with God and on track in our Christian life. When we are in a place where we do not have the words and “do not know what to pray for as we ought, "the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27) This constant communion with God brings a peace that surpasses all understanding, a reassurance that we are never alone.

Go to your room, into the woods, on a pier, anywhere you can be alone, and open your heart to God. Spend your time earnestly communing with God. You will recharge your spiritual batteries and have a more positive outlook for tomorrow. Remember, prayer is not just a routine, it is a transformative practice that can change your life and your relationship with God.

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior and have questions about who He is and how you can find salvation and eternal life through Him, reach out to us here at In Messiah. We can help open the door for the Lord.

Grace and Peace.