BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO PRAY

     Growing up on a farm in Northwestern Ohio, I learned a lot from my father about working the land he loved.  He would first plow a field then disc it to prepare for planting.  Once the planting was completed, my father would follow up with cultivating the soil several times while the plants were young.  This not only aerated the soil but it also kept weeds from growing.  It was a first line of defense for the young crop developing in the field.  In fact, my dad often said the cultivator was one of his most valuable implements in working the soil.
     As Christians, we are also equipped with tools to help us in our growth in Christ.  Ephesians describes for us the picture of armor:  the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit and the Gospel shoes.  However, what knits everything together is prayer.  Like the cultivator, prayer keeps the weeds of wrong thinking out of our hearts as we grow and keeps the soil of our soul aerated by keeping our focus on God.   Is there any other privilege quite as special as the ability to talk directly to our Lord?  I can think of none.  Here are some of the reasons we need to become prayer warriors.
     First, Jesus Christ our Lord was the perfect example of someone who prayed regularly to the Father.  He frequently went off to a quiet place to commune with the Father either before He ministered to the needs of the people or after He had finished teaching.  He taught the disciples to pray and often pointed out to them that prayer should not be vain repetitions (Mathew 6:7) or for show but to talk with God in private (Mathew 6:6).  Jesus prayed and blessed food for the 5,000, and He prayed for Himself and all who would come after Him in John 17.  This high priestly prayer is one of the most beautiful examples to us of how to pray.
     In addition to our Lord’s example, we also have received a command in Scripture to “pray without ceasing” given in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 5:17).    This may sound difficult, but in reality, it is easier to keep a running dialogue with the Lord throughout the day.  I find myself many times praying over situations and people silently as my workday goes by.  God hears us whether we are eloquent with our words or very simple in our manner of speech.  The key is to focus on the Lord who delights in communing with us.
     As we engage in prayer, we are also changed by our time with Him.  I often think of Moses who spent time with God as he led the people of Israel.  If ever there was a man who had a tough job, it certainly was Moses.  Being in relationship with God, he never missed an opportunity to seek His face when the people were rebellious, hungry, or complaining.  He could have tried to handle things on his own, but wisely, he realized his deep need for God to intervene.  Each time Moses met with God, his face shone so that he had to wear a veil because ultimately the glow faded as time went on.  Now I do not expect our faces to shine each time we meet with God in prayer, but I do believe that each time we pray we come away a different person.  God is at work in us to accomplish His will.  This is especially true when we are surrendered to Him in prayer.
     Certainly my father worked hard to cultivate his fields so that the weeds would not grow but the crops would.  In like manner, we need to do the work of prayer not just for ourselves but also for our family, neighbors, church, city, state, nation and leaders.  We live in perilous times and the weeds of discontent, division and evil are being sown everywhere.  As believers, we need to humble ourselves before the Lord and take up the tool of prayer as well as God’s Word daily.  We will see results and uproot these toxic weeds that threaten to cause havoc both in our homes as well as our nation.
     Here are a few suggestions to help you develop a more meaningful prayer time:  1.  Make a prayer diary.  List the requests and as you see answers write them down.  This helps your to rejoice in what God is doing.  2.  Look for opportunities to focus on just one area of our church ministry or for a specific church staff member.   3. Read the prayer lists announced in Sunday School, church or in home groups.  Pray for the needs whenever it comes to mind.  I am blessed to let people know I am lifting them up in prayer.  It means so much for them to know that.  4. If someone comes to you with a prayer request, take time to pray with them on the spot if possible so you do not forget to lift the matter before the Lord.  5.  If you have drive time to work, pray as you go (obviously not with your eyes closed).  These are just a few ideas to help you get started.   This I know:  time with God is time well spent.  Let us be known as a people of prayer.  We will see great results if we humble ourselves and pray.  Selah!