Prayer

Prayer is something that I've never been "good" at. I was the kid who struggled to bow his head, fold his hands and remain quiet. After about 30 seconds of the best prayer possible, I would start thinking about how good my baseball team was going to do that afternoon or I would pray selfishly by asking for things like my favorite team to win or to win a 1000 dollars on the scratch ticket I bought in college.

Prayer is important, but why is so hard to do. Is it the act of asking for something that we truly need? Or is possibly because we have such a hard time differentiating what we truly need and what we want in life? Prayer can serve as the filter where we speak open and honestly to God.

Whatever the struggle is, prayer is to be an essential part of the life of a Christian. Here is a commitment that the early followers of Jesus made, But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:4)

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)

Prayer is seen as the catalyst to forgiveness, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16) I love this verse and the context around it because it emphasizes how relational prayer should be to God.

Prayer is helpful at all times and we are to give thanks to those who are encouragement in our lives. Pray without ceasing.

Whatever the need is, whenever it arises, however big the mountain is that we have to climb or how difficult the road is ahead. Pray.