FOLLOWING THE MASTER – A Lenten Devotional

6^th Day of Lent

February 16, 2016

Reflections on Prayer – Part 1

8 Copyright 2016 Monica Hernandez

APray without ceasing...In everything give thanks@ (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Our foundation reading for today tells to pray without ceasing and there are many persons who wonder how can that be. Some might ask: “Should I be praying twenty four hours a day?” However, this means we are to always have a conversation with God in our hearts, whether it is of supplication, intercession; or merely giving thanks and praise to God for whom He is, His divine love and protection, even asking for His divine attributes to reflect into our lives.

Many years ago, I discovered that everything I wanted, be it a condition or an object, I had to go to God for it. The change would never come unless I prayed for it. It had seemed to me like a burden that I had to spend so much time in meditation and prayer. And it seemed to me that other people I knew did not have to spend so much time in meditation and prayer.

One day I complained to a seasoned prayer warrior of the elder generation and her words to me were: AMy child, count it all joy that God is causing you to come to Him for all you want in your life...@ Now, I look back and can see the truth of her words.

Thank God, as the years went by, and I pressed deeper into meditation, prayer, and Bible reading, praying became joyful in my heart and sweeter on my lips.

Prayer is communication with God and it oils the wheels of life. Thank God, in His divine providence, He has created within each of us a capacity to seek Him, know Him, love Him and serve Him. And we are to develop a deeper closeness with God the Father and Jesus Christ our Master through communication and fellowship. Also, we are to speak the Scriptures into our lives.

The Bible gives us several instances when Jesus prayed to His Father, and as His followers, we are to do the same.

Some might ask: “Doesn=t God know our needs; why should we have to pray about them?” God knows all our needs, both spiritual and natural, however, Jesus taught that we should ask, seek and knock. And when we pray, God releases His mighty power into our lives which transforms our souls, corrects, and makes straight our crooked paths, even making barren places in our lives fruitful.

Are you weary of praying? Be not weary but count it all joy that God is calling you into communion with Him so that He can straighten out your life. Count it a privilege and blessing that you are created with a capacity to reach out and commune with your heavenly Father.

SUGGESTED READINGS: Matthew 7:7-8; 1 Thess. 5:15-18; James 5:15-16.

PRAYER: AGod is the Giver of all good things. He knows my needs and draws me to their fulfilment in the right manner and at the right time. Thank you, Father. Amen.@

THOUGHT FOR TODAY