Prayer
As Christians we learn from Jesus to make prayer a priority.
He often withdrew to lonely places to pray. (Luke 5:16)
He rose early in the morning and went to a solitary place to pray.
(Mark 1:35)
He reminds us that we should always pray and not give up
(Luke 18:1)
He entreated believers to call out to Him day and night (Luke 18:7)
He encourages us to not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving present our requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)
He assures us that He hears and answers our prayers.
(Matt 7:7,8 Matt 21:22 John 16:23,24 John 15:7 1st John 5:14,15)
Our response should be ~ to be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. (1st Thessalonians 5:16-1)
Prayer can take a variety of forms; it might be done privately or with others, silent, or with words or song. Communication is essential for a healthy relationship with people and with God. Prayer is communicating with our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer and Savior. Some prayers come spontaneously from deep within; others may be inspired by the Holy Spirit and others may be prayers that have been passed down over the millennia.
While I love to pray conversationally with God, I also appreciate the prayers of others. One of my favorites is the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis, a thirteenth century saint founded two religious orders; the Franciscan Order of monks and the Poor Clares, an order of nuns.
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
 |
| Michael Podesta print of The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi |
Do you have any favorite prayers?
Great post, Janet! Prayer is so important in our day to day lives. It should be up front and center each morning...even if just for a simple talk with God. Whenever I cannot think of the words to say when I pray, I always recite the Lord's Prayer...actually I sing it. Without prayer, we would all be lost in this downward spiraling world. It is so wonderful that when Jesus died for our sins, He opened up direct communication with God...no priests needed to intervene.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day and week. God bless.
I was also going to say that my favorite Prayers might be the lovely verses set to music. What a blessing the way our minds remember things that way!
ReplyDeleteBut more often I'm big on conversational-style prayer. I talk and then when I least expect it, the answers come back. I have to learn to listen better.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Debra. I think that is why I am so often moved by wonderful hymns and praise songs.I suspect many of us want "to learn to listen better".
DeleteI agree with you, Debbie. Prayer and reading God's Word adjusts and improves my attitude better than anything else.
ReplyDelete“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7