Do You Pray?

Say there is something you really want or don't want to happen? What is the first thing that comes to mind? Do you panic? Do you fall into a hectic state of worry?  Do you think of doing something worse to others or maybe even yourself? If so, Stop that! You know it will only make the situation worse than it really is. Or, why give the evil one a chance to smile and make you feel rotten. Right?

For those of you who have decided to put your faith and give your heart to Christ, you know that the first thing you can do is pray.  Don't make praying your last resort.  But, make it your first.  I am definitely not saying if you pray your prayer will be answered immediately and the way you want it to be answered. However, I am saying God says he will hear your prayer and we just do not know what the result will be. But, who knows things may go the way you do want it. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (‭1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬ NIV) 

Now, if you are a true believer in Christ, you may automatically surpass praying as your initial point of comfort because your mind is too preoccupied thinking of what you can manually do to correct and fix the problem.  Or, maybe similar to me, you can't help letting your emotions pour out, possibly in tears. Either way, prayer should always be the first thing we do.  If you don't pray and talk to God how will he hear you? I know He already knows everything because he's God but I believe maybe He just wants to hear us speak to Him and ask.  I think he gets joy in hearing His children speak to him and letting Him know we fervently trust and have faith in Him. :)  I think that's where the relationship importance comes into play. 

So, basically if there is one crucial word of thought I want to give to the true believers it is the gift of prayer. You have it.  So, don't forget about it. Or, choose to not use it.  To reiterate, the answer to your prayers will most likely surprise you. Perhaps, it might be a good surprise?! We won't know unless
we open our hearts and speak to God in prayer.

Greg Laurie said something really interesting in one of  his devotions. Non-believers may still pray but only Believers have a prayer life. Something to think about.

Lastly, I wanted to add the acronym I learned way back when I used to go to Wednesday night youth group in high school.  It is the acronym for ACTS. Hope it will be a useful tool in your prayer life!

A- Adoration
C- Confession
T- Thanksgiving
S- Supplication