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Prayer Life - Part 1 - developing our prayer life

One of the simplest things to do is pray. Paul tells us to "pray without ceasing". This sure doesn't mean to get down on our knees with folded hands and eyes closed all the time, 24/7. This formal type of prayer is nice, it is needed but that isn't the main point.

To "pray without ceasing" means for us to have a full time concentration on the Lord. Focus on God and His will for our life at all points during the day. Never take on a task without having the Lord involved in some way. Just think about it. If we have a focus on God and His will for our life, it will keep us out of a lot of trouble. It is pretty hard to hate someone when our focus is on God. It isn't easy to lie, cheat, cuss, steal, fornicate or many other things if our mind is on God. Even things like depression and anxiety aren't nearly as bad if we aren't thinking about them all the time and focusing our attention on God, we will not be focused on our woes. As a bonus, God will help us with our issues and our overall life will be fuller and more at peace.

We need to remember that God works in mysterious ways. When we pray without ceasing it becomes easier for us to see God at work in our lives and all around us. The more that we include God in our life then the more that we and others will see God in our life. Pretty simple stuff.

-CEV- James 1:5 But if any man among you is without wisdom, let him make his request to God, who gives freely to all without an unkind word, and it will be given to him.

This just seems so easy. It seems much easier than it actually is. Let's remember just what wisdom is. Wisdom is the use of knowledge, an understanding. The knowledge we gain from studying God's Word, being put into practice is wisdom so when we pray for wisdom then do not be surprised if we wind up finding a need to use some of the knowledge that we have gained. When God gives us wisdom, He is giving us an opportunity to use knowledge gained and if we are praying without ceasing then He will be there guiding us with using this knowledge in the very best way.

Other things like this are praying for strength, prosperity, courage, patience, love etc. can bring about a host of other things. God isn't like a genie in a bottle looking to grant us wishes. While at times this may happen it isn't the usual course of action as I have seen.

This prayer was given to me years ago and it still holds so much meaning for me.
I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong

I asked for wisdom and God gave me problems to solve

I asked for prosperity and God gave me the ability to work

I asked for courage and God gave me dangers to overcome

I asked for patience and God placed me in situations where I was forced to wait

I asked for love and God gave me troubled people to help

I asked for favors and God gave me opportunities

I received nothing that I wanted, I received everything that I needed

MY PRAYER HAS BEEN ANSWERED.
God wants what is best for us. It is usually our own selves that get in the way of that.

Prayer is my ability to talk to God, one on one, just Him and me. I can make my requests known (as if He didn't already know them) and receive answers, direction, encouragement and high on the list of things that I receive through prayer is peace.

Many times people consider a prayer as a one sided conversation. In those times on bended knee, hands folded and eyes closed, it is important to spend some time just being quiet. Sure, talk to God but give Him the chance to respond. Don't be expecting an audible voice or a thunderous boom. When God speaks to you, you will know.

It was 2002 when I ran from God. Up until 2009 I tried often to regain my prayer life. I missed that peace I found in Him. Some angry feelings were strengthened. It seemed I was at my wits end. So many things seemed to be making me mad. It was almost an obsession with some things that were just really upsetting me.

It was a hot summer night in 2009 when I was feeling so hopeless. Such a simple prayer, God please help me as I felt a flood of calm and peace come over me. It was an actual calm and peace I hadn't felt in years. It opened the door to my prayer life being restored. It always seems to me that God does some of His best work at the end of my rope.

God is there for us and wants to help. Many times help will require some participation on our own part, things like gaining knowledge in order to turn it into wisdom or doing as God instructs and obeying convictions.

If this is something you have never tried then please do not allow yourself to go through life without at least having given prayer an honest try.

If you are at your wits end, find a peaceful place where you will not be disturbed and ask God for peace.

It is there for you and it works.


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