|
 Once we have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, we then have a personal relationship with Him. He desires to have a relationship with each person. Relationships take time and communication. He is delighted when we come to Him in prayer. He desires to hear from us. Luke 11:9 - 13 says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."
Prayer is your lifeline to God. Form the positive habit of starting each day with a few minutes in prayer. Conversation with God may seem strange at first and you may find it hard to know what to say. But as you continue, your prayers will become more meaningful. So start each day with prayer, and then learn to pray throughout the day as needs arise. Take all of your problems and burdens to God, because He is interested in everything you do. I Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
Perhaps you do not know what to talk with God about. Perhaps these suggestions will help:
- You can PRAISE Him for who He is - Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe, yet interested in each one of us.
- You can THANK Him for all He has done, for all He is doing for you, and for all He has promised to do for you.
- You can ADMIT to Him the things you have done or said or thought for which you are sorry. God tells us that He is both willing and able to forgive our sins. (I John 1:9)
- You can pray for your FAMILY. We have a special obligation to pray for those close to us.
- You can pray for OTHERS - for friends or neighbors who have needs, both physical and spiritual.
- You can pray for YOURSELF. Ask God's guidance for the new day. Ask Him to help you with any problem you might have. Ask Him to arrange opportunities for you to serve Him.
Dear Lord, I praise You for Your Majesty and Your Glory! Thank you for coming into my life, for forgiving me and changing me. I'm sorry for my sins. Please forgive me and help me to obey You. Lord, give my father understanding as he tries to accept my new faith. And please comfort my friend as he has surgery. Help me, Lord, to understand and obey Your word. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Try listing your prayer requests, so that you don't forget any, and so you can record God's answers (He may say 'yes', He may say 'no', or, 'wait'). Keep a list in a small notebook.
If you have spent your time alone with God in the morning, continue your day refreshed and ready for whatever may come.
If you have spent your time alone with Him in the evening, go to sleep relaxed in His care, ready to rest for a new day of service to Him.
Better yet, try to spend some time alone with Him both morning and evening!
(see Psalm 55:17).
And remember that you can pray to the Lord any time, anywhere, in school, at work, at home - about anything - to ask for something you need or to thank Him for something you have received. As any loving earthly father would be, God is interested in all that happens to you.
He is looking forward to His time alone with you!
|
