“The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.” -- Psalm 145:18
Have you ever stopped to think what life might be like without the privilege of having direct communication with God?
When I was younger I didn’t really understand what a privilege it was, but as I grown spiritually through the years, I’ve learned to cherish my personal conversations with my heavenly Father and today, I can’t imagine life without them. I’ve learned there are so many blessings we receive through our one-on-one communication with God. For example, our relationship with Him grows closer, our ability to handle some of life’s most challenging issues improves, and our ability to trust in His promises grows increasingly stronger.
“Prayer is beyond any question the highest activity of the human soul. Man is at his greatest and highest when upon his knees he comes face to face with God” -- Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Communication with God is a gift that should never be taken for granted. Instead, we should strive to make prayer an integral part of our daily lives. But too often, our busy schedules cause us to neglect our prayer life.
Satan realizes how beneficial communion with God is to a believer. Therefore, he constantly tries to undermine our communication with God by either challenging our beliefs or by keeping us so busy that we neglect this vital component of life. If we aren’t careful, prayer can cease to be a time of intimate fellowship with God and become more of a structured routine, or — simply a time of unloading our needs, wants, and desires on God in hopes that He will choose to miraculously fix our problems.
Scripture teaches us that we are to have a life of prayer that is grounded in the simplicity of expression, sincerity of heart, and trust in the promises of God. The Bible gives guidance on how, when, and where to pray. So let’s look at just a few of the many scriptures in God’s Word that give us insight into God’s view of prayer:
“Rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer” -- Romans 12:12 (NASB)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” -- Philippians 4:6 (NASB)
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB)
God wants us to discuss everything with Him, be devoted and consistent in our communication with Him, and have an attitude of joy, thanksgiving, reverence and respect in the process. Matthew 6:7-13, The Lords Prayer, provides valuable insight into the attributes that should be a foundational part of our prayer life. In these verses, Jesus demonstrates how prayer should center around God’s will, His glory and kingdom, as well as our need for support and deliverance each and every day.
Is your personal prayer life a priority? Will you make the attributes of The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:7-13 the foundation of your communication with your heavenly Father?
