Prayer-The Most Important Phone Call

About a month ago, I set an alarm for 7:07 pm. The reason, you might ask (like so many of my friends and family), is for something simple, yet important. Most people say their daily prayers at night, before they go to bed. Me... I have the best intentions, believe me. But, I struggle following through. "Prayer" is mentioned 365 times in the New International Version of the Bible. I don't believe it's a coincidence that there are 365 days in the year. Perhaps, this is suggesting the importance of prayer, and that we must be reminded of it every day of the year-all 365.

Prayer is a hard concept to understand. Especially, if you haven't grown up in the church, or haven't had much experience with it. I mean, it's a little different than a phone call with your best friend. After all, you're talking with an invisible God, who happened to create the universe! It doesn't seem as easy as, "Hey, how did you do on that biology test yesterday?" Umm... God created the universe! He knows every detail about our "knowledge" on this earth, and far more than we can imagine. Is it a little intimidating talking to someone with that kind of power? Yeah. I'd say so. Sometimes, we relate God to a "best friend," but consequently overlook Him. I like to call Jesus my best friend, but He's way more than that. A best friend isn't anything compared to what He deserves. We're talking about the Lord of everything, here. Not just an ordinary human being. But, that's the power of prayer. We are barely a molecule on earth, which is a speck in the galaxy, another dot in the universe! Looking at it this way, you can be humbled pretty fast. We're nothing. Absolutely nothing. Nothing compared to God-the omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (He's everywhere), omnipotent (all-powerful) God. Prayer makes a molecule known to the King. It takes a sinful, guilty human being, and allows for communication, and a relationship, with Jesus.

Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Prayer relieves worry. Communicating with the all-time Creator of the universe always calms my troubles. If God created the complexity of humanity, do you think He has your life under control?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Pray continually. This doesn't mean once a year, not once a week, not even once a day. It means, always be in prayer. In everything you do, ask God if it's for His glory. Thank Him for His great deeds. Remember Him when you get a glimpse of nature and see the vibrant colors of the sunset.

James 5:16 (NIV)

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

Pray for each other. How encouraging is it to simply know that a friend is praying for you. How much more encouraging to know that they're praying to the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. God can do anything. Don't underestimate His power-or the power of prayer.

1 Corinthians 7:5 (NIV)

"Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."

Prayer prevents temptation. Satan will do anything He can to stop you from praying. A busy life could cause you to talk hours on the phone with a friend, yet not even a second with God. Is that right? Time is a gift from God. Use it wisely. Prayer can prevent all sorts of bad things from occurring. Even fifteen minutes with your heavenly Father is better than nothing.

Romans 8:26 (NIV)

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

Prayer isn't easy, but the Holy Spirit will guide you. I'll be the first to admit, I don't know the "perfect" way to pray. "The Lord's Prayer" in Matthew 6 gives an example, but too many people merely recite its words, and don't use their creativity to invent their own requests or don't know how. There is no perfect prayer. Just pray from your heart and the Holy Spirit will do the rest. God knows your concerns, but prayer benefits you. After all, communication is a two way highway. The most crucial part is listening! God won't come right out and speak to you. But He will reveal Himself to you in other ways. Just ask Him to.

Matthew 21:22 (NIV)

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

I recently purchased a new CD from Group 1 Crew. Their song "Our Time" clearly presents the message of prayer. It explains how "Our Time"-the time between God and me, is so crucial!

-Prayer picture from Google