“When you pray, don’t pour out a flood of empty words, as the Gentiles do. They think that by saying many words they’ll be heard. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask. Pray like this:
Our Father who is in heaven,
uphold the holiness of your name.
Bring in your kingdom
so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven.
Give us the bread we need for today.
Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you,
just as we also forgive those who have wronged us.
And don’t lead us into temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one. Matt 6:7-13 (CEB)
Prayer is a personal thing. I grew up in church praying for others… a job, for better health, for the resolve of family issues. Then one day I learned that Prayer was a personal conversation between me and God. Once I realized this fact my whole world was rocked to its core. My life was never the same. Oh, my circumstances didn’t change overnight but really talking with God helped me to find joy despite circumstances.
In his book, The Possibilities of Prayer, Edward M. Bounds says, “Prayer is not an indifferent or a small thing. It is not a sweet little privilege. It is a great prerogative, far-reaching in its effects. Failure to pray entails losses far beyond the person who neglects it. Prayer is not a mere episode of the Christian life. Rather the whole life is a preparation for and the result of prayer. In its condition, prayer is the sum of religion. Faith is but a channel of prayer. Faith gives it wings and swiftness. Prayer is the lungs through which holiness breathes. Prayer is not only the language of spiritual life, but makes its very essence and forms its real character.”
Almighty God, through the power of Your Holy Spirit enable me to do and be more than I could ever imagine. Come dwell in my heart and make me strong to do Your work and will. Through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
Pieces of the Puzzle 