the greenest grass around

Pray until your situation changes. Miracles happen every day, so never stop believing. God can change things very quickly in your life.

-Unknown-

Prayer, the concept seems so simple. However, so many of us, me included, don’t do it like we should.

Here are just a few things the Bible says about prayer:

• Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
• Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2
• pray continually, 1 Thessalonians 5:17
• Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

According to The Gospel Coalition, there are 650 prayers listed in the Bible. There are about 450 times that prayer was answered in the Bible. There have been studies done about the power of prayer and healing and even WebMD recognizes prayer. We have heard countless times that praying to God works. That he will hear our cries, praises, and worship. The Bible says, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:12

Why then do we only pray when we need something or when we are half asleep? We tell God what we need and don’t take into consideration that God wants an actual relationship with us.

 Francis Chan’s book Crazy Love says, “What if I told you to stop talking at God for a while, but instead to take a long, hard look at Him before you speak another word?  Solomon warned us not to rush into God’s presence with words.  That’s what fools do.” (This book is amazing, by the way, I recommend it)

Are you praying like God ask us to?

Luke 11: 1-54 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
³ Give us each day our daily bread,
⁴ and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.” …

James 5:13-16 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

The Webster Dictionary defines prayer as a Solemn request for help or expression of thanks to God. They define Solemn as characterized by deep sincerity/ “he swore a solemn oath to keep faith”

Prayer is serious. When you pray you are addressing the creator of our universe. Please don’t think I’m trying to turn anyone off from praying. I want you to understand how much prayer needs to be important to us because basically prayer is our relationship with God.  

God wants all of us, not the half asleep us, or the right before dinner us. Could you call someone your friend and never speak to them?

I implore you to pray. Really pray. Listen to God. Wait to hear from him. Don’t rush. Just start praying earnestly. Pray all the time. Build your relationship with God. I can’t wait to see what happens when you do.