Prioritize Prayer

As we approach the new year my simple desire for each of us is that we make prayer a greater priority in our lives. Prayer is just simply communication with God. It’s essentially talking and listening with the God of all the universe. Think about that, the God who placed the stars in the sky, parted the red sea, made dry bones come alive, and came to rescue us by sending His Son Jesus. That God listens, answers, and cares about what we say. That’s incredible, mind-blowing, and something we shouldn’t take for granted. So in 2019 make plans each day to talk with God and listen to Him.

Here are three quick tips that might help you develop or grow in your prayer life…

·         Make a plan- You need to have set times to be quiet and talk with God. I have found if I don’t set intentional time to go on a date with my wife we tend to not have as deep of conversations. In the same way you have to intentional make time to talk with God and have back up plans for when life throws you curve balls.

·         Get in The Word- Our God is a God of promises but to know those promises we must read about them in God’s Word. So make plans to read scripture each day so you can better understand who God is and the promises He has for you.

·         Find Accountability- Without someone(s) checking in on you and praying with you and for you, it won’t matter your plans because you will likely fail. Find a person or persons to walk with you as you are trying to grow and will challenge and encourage you along the way.

If you need inspiration read Matthew 6:9-13 (at the bottom of the article), often referred to as The Lord’s Prayer. In it Jesus gives a template on how we can talk with our heavenly Father. The biggest thing though is to just do it because communication leads to connection which leads to communion. What I mean by that is that you have to communicate to feel connected and the more connected you become the great relationship you will have with God.

Friends let’s make this the year we make prayer a big priority in our life and may we live out the declaration of Joshua in Joshua 24:15, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

 The Lords Prayer- Matthew 6:9-13

This, then, is how you should pray:

“ ‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us today our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, 

but deliver us from the evil one.

-Pastor Aaron