Prayer

[Two blogs in one day!!! What in the world is going on with Jen? School was cancelled today because it is too cold.]

Every morning before school we have a fifteen-minute devotional with the faculty. Even though it makes the day start that much earlier (and I’m not a morning person), it is wonderful to praise our God as our first act and as a group. It truly puts the day into perspective. We have a basic routine to follow. Mondays are “prayer request” days; everyone shares anything on their hearts that they wish for us to pray about. The Spiritual Life Coordinator types them up that night so that we have a hand-out the next day. On each Tuesday we break into small groups (usually 3 to 5 people) to lift up the requests mentioned the day before.

Yesterday, after my group finished, I looked up and took a moment to let what I was seeing and hearing soak in. All of my peers were bowed down, eyes closed, and whispering the desires and hopes of people they barely knew. I am moved by the fact that so many people are bringing these requests before God. And that they would continue to pray throughout the weeks to come.

How often do you take prayer for granted? It is so vital to our daily walks with our Lord. I have found that prayer is the link that cannot be left out of a solid relationship with God. There is a direct connection between how close you feel to our Heavenly Father and how often and how sincerely you pray. I once read a statement that hit home, especially when discussing prayer: If you don’t feel close to God, guess who moved?

Here's something for your soul to feast upon...

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this if God's will for you in Christ Jesus." ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words that cannot express." ~Romans 8:26

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." ~James 5:16

...As I have learned from many people, don't just take the verses alone but take time to study the passages from which they come.

Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this way to speak directly with you. Thank you for listening when so many others don’t. Thank you for your grace and understanding. Please show me grace when I stray and bring me back to your loving Presence. Open my eyes and ears to your answers, whether they come from music, the Bible, or Christian friends. Show me your counsel and comfort that only the Holy Spirit can relay.
In the precious name of your Son,
Amen