When and How

3/5/2022

Jeremiah 20:12 "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you."

How are we to pray? Several of the verses below tell us to pray without ceasing. Most of us are not cloistered clergy whose entire lives are devoted to prayer. So, how can we achieve such a thing? I believe it is by intentionally communicating with God all day long no matter where you are or what you are doing. When I was in a time of healing from my time of deep despair, I communicated with God all day long every day; a prayer was always on my lips or in my mind. Although it was the most difficult time in my life, it was also the most beautiful, because I was constantly turning to God in prayer. Carrying this forward into a time of relative peace in my life has been difficult, but why is that? Shouldn't I want to talk to my Savior all day long and share everything with Him. 

Colossians 4:2 "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." 

1 Chronicles 16:11 "Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually."

1 Thessalonians 5;17 "Pray without ceasing."

Matthew 6:6-7"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. And when you pray, do not heap empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words."

We are also told in scripture to pray in a quiet closed room. I began doing this practice after we moved to our new home several years ago. I have placed a cross, given to me by my sister, in my walk-in closet and keep a chair in there as well. I call it may chapel, and I often get lost in prayer for long stretches of time communicating with Jesus. Sometimes I pray silently, sometimes I pray out loud boldly, and sometimes I just listen. I would encourage you all to find you our private chapel to spend time with God.

Ephesians 6:18 "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."

1 Timothy 2:8 "I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling."

Jude 1:20 "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,"

We are to pray in the Spirit, with hands lifted, earnestly and faithfully. Seek to enter into the Holy Spirits presence and pray with reverence and in humility. We can come before our Lord both in joy or in brokenness; for He accepts us just as we are. 

Acts 1:14 "All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers."

James 1:6-7 "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose he will receive anything form the Lord;"

Finally, we are to persevere and be devoted in full faith without doubt, joining with others in prayer. Gathering together in corporate prayer is a powerful thing and, like all prayer, is an act of worship.

Matthew 18:20 " For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."

I have much work to do when it comes to the these areas of prayer, bit I am grateful that God understands I am a work in progress.