Prayer

Been going through a phase lately that has left me each time on my knees. It is the only place i can go to vent, cry and talk to an ever present help.  They say there’s power in prayer and too often we do not make use of this privilege that we have; to make our requests known to God. Listened to a couple of sermons on prayer, read some books and here are the lessons I have drawn. Please note, am not saying am an expert in the area, am still learning to hear Gods voice in various circumstances I face.

• ·         It is all about God. He does sovereign and does whatever he pleases. Psalm 115:3 says our God is in the heavens and he does whatever he pleases.

• ·         He will not always give the answer that we desire. Sometimes the answer is ‘no’ but we ought to trust him, because no good gift will he withhold from those who walk uprightly (psalm 84:11).

• ·         He works according to his timing, we cannot slow it down or fast forward it because he has made everything beautiful in his own time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Not one promise shall miscarry,

Not one blessing come too late,

Though the vision long may tarry, give us patience Lord to wait

(Jane Crewdson)

• ·         He hears our prayers, sees our tears and will surely answer

• ·         Through prayer we acknowledge our weakness and accept that only God can help us. His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses.

• ·         There’s peace that comes with laying it all down at his feet knowing that God’s got it. Fanny Crosby put it this way:

At the blessed hour of prayer, trusting him we believe

That the blessings we’re needing, we’ll surely receive

In the fullness of this trust, we shall lose every care:

What a balm for the weary oh how sweet to be there.

• ·         Prayer makes us expectant waiting to see how God will answer or in what way he will act.

• ·         God is the ruler of all nature. Nothing takes him by surprise. For example;

Jonah 1:17, God appointed a big fish to swallow Jonah, Jonah 4:6 God appointed a plant to provide shade for Jonah.

He is concerned about the details of our lives, knowing even the number of hairs on our head (Mathew 10:30). As we pray we should acknowledge with John Ryland in the hymn he has penned titled Sovereign Ruler of the Skies that all my times are in thy hand, ordered by his wise decree.

As we pray regarding various situations that we face let us remember that God has our best interests at heart because he cares for us....

                                                                      Signed, kaps