What if everyone in the world prayed regularly? Have you ever wondered what that would be like? What kind of difference would that mean to the world at large? If each one of us took our praise and pain to the Lord, what would that do for our character? If we took others pains to the Lord, what would it do for theirs? How many Sauls would transform into Pauls?
I ask these questions because I think too many of us have forgotten the all-important act of prayer. We’re too busy trying to answer our own needs. We’re too overwhelmed trying to do what God will do for us if we just let Him.
Jesus said something amazing to us in Matthew 7:7:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
But the opposite is also true. If you don’t ask, you won’t receive. If you don’t seek, you won’t find. If you don’t knock, the door won’t be opened to you. Prayer is literally your lifeline to God.
How Should You Pray
If you’re struggling with the act of prayer, and you’re not quite sure what to say, I found this great advice. Just think of the word “ACTS” when you pray:
- Adoration – give God praise
- Confession – confess your sins
- Thanksgiving – thank God for his provision
- Supplication – bring God your requests
Most importantly, God wants us to be authentic and earnest in our prayers. I don’t believe God cares if your prayer follows the formula above, but He does care if the prayer is honest and sincere.
I encourage you to pray every morning and evening this week. See how it transforms you and how it lightens your load. Notice how it changes your feelings towards others. Then let me know what it has meant to you. I would love to hear how your life changes by this simple but essential conversation with God.
