I have written and spoken many times about prayer.  It is one of the greatest blessings afforded a child of God, and the Christian’s prayer life should be very active.  Prayer is where we communicate with our Father and pour our hearts out to Him with our deepest hurts, problems sickness, gratefulness, happiness.  Any thing that concerns us, troubles us, or has to do with His child, is important to Him.  There are times that I awaken in the middle of the night, and before I drift back into sleep, I pray.

“Pray without ceasing.  In every thing give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.   I Thessalonians 5:17-18

“Be careful for nothing;  but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”      Philippians 4:6

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  Psalms 46:1

I have known some members that told me that they don’t pray much.  Normally they will pray when sickness, death, accidents or troubles beset them, but inspired scripture teaches us to pray all of the time.  I never understood why a child of God would neglect such an important part of their Christianity, but I have pondered it, and believe the world invades their homes.  Too many distractions and the spiritual thermometer grows cold.

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers:  but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”   I Peter 3:12

“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 5:1

If there are private sins, one must pray for forgiveness, but if ones sins are public, they may be addressed before the congregation, for that is the best way to take care of sins that are of a public nature.  For our prayers to be heard, we must be walking with Him daily and, in praying to Him we get courage to face anything that comes our way.

“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”    I John 1:7

There are other benefits of an active prayer life.  Your children should hear, and see you pray, and in so doing, they learn the importance of prayer and, how special they are to you, and to your Father in heaven.  Children learn quickly, and the memories that they have of your prayers for them will last a lifetime.  Carve the Lord’s name, and your name upon their hearts.

“For this child I prayed;  and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him:  therefore also i have lent him to the Lord;  as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord.  And he worshipped the Lord there.”      I Samuel 1:27-28

We should not only pray but have faith that our prayers will be answered.  When we pray for our daily bread, also remember that we have to do our part also, and leave the rest with Him.  God will not set aside His law of work to give us food, if we are not willing to work for that food.  As in a quote I heard once.

“A good farmer prays at the end of a hoe handle.”

“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”     I Timothy 3:10

“Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray?”

“If you only pray when you are in trouble, . . . . .you’re in trouble.”

Eileen Light