>“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16
Stop for a moment and really ponder this- how much time do you spend during the day praying and talking with God? Do you spend 5 minutes? Pray before meals and before bed? Do you spend hours with Him? Confession- I know I don’t spend nearly as much time praying as I wish I did, I’m working on it.
I feel the importance and power of prayer is often underestimated. If Jesus felt prayer was so important, why do we not depend on it constantly? Why am I not always overwhelmed with thanks that the Lord has given me this blessing?
Just like any other goal, it takes time and discipline to form a habit. (1 Corinthians 9:25) You must train yourself to be successful. God calls us to be in constant prayer.
Over the past couple years my prayer life has grown immensely and I have been so blessed because of it. I keep a prayer journal where I write my prayers, prayer requests I have received, verses I love and take notes during sermons I enjoy. Reading through past prayers and seeing how God answers my prayers brings such joy to my day and encourages me to speak with the Lord even more.
I pray that God will make my prayer life even more fruitful this year and that He will work wonders in the lives of those around me.
Following is a poem I read at someones house once and loved. Had to share it :)
I got up early one morning,
And rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish,
I didn’t have time to pray.
Troubles just tumbled about me,
And heavier came each task.
“Why doesn’t God help me?” I wondered.
He answered, “You didn’t ask.”
I tried to come into God’s presence;
I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
“Why, child, you didn’t knock.”
I wanted to see joy and beauty,
But the day toiled on gray and bleak.
I wondered why God didn’t show me.
He said, “You didn’t seek.”
I woke up early this morning,
And paused before entering the day.
I had so much to accomplish
That I had to take time to pray.
By Regine Anne Baldomar
