The importance of regular Daily Prayer .................. from the SCCA Autocross, Birmingham Alabama , August 13, 2006
Most of us turn to God in prayer when we face serious trouble, and difficult or life threatening situations. Many also pray at church meetings and similar gatherings, seeking God's intervention regarding existing circumstances. Also, we turn to God in repentance , seeking forgiveness , through prayer. Some Denominations and Religions pray more than others, and for some, praying at several predetermined times a day is an absolute priority.
Often, maybe most often, when we pray, it is because we know of, or have, a specific need, but that is not the only time we should turn to prayer.
I want to encourage you to develop a habit of more-regular prayer
Webster's defines 'pray' as a verb " To implore; To ask earnestly for __ ; To make earnest request..............but it is in Webster's definintion of ' prayer ' that we find this definition " The offering of adoration, thanksgiving, " and it is these that I want to highlight, adoration and thanksgiving, and doing it regularly at a specific time you have predetermined. Remembering what God has done, and being grateful, pleases God.
The regular communication of both adoration and thanksgiving are what daily prayer should be about...not just coming to God when we have a need.
Regular communication with anyone, builds a relationship. People you communicate with regularly, are most willing to help you, and the Bible tells us it is the same with God.
So I encourage you to consider improving your relationship with God....choose a time........ upon awakening, during the day, or before sleep.....but pick a time , now, and develop prayer as a daily habit at that time, focusing on remembering what God has already done in your life, leading you to express thanksgiving and adoration. The Bible tells us God is pleased with small beginnings...it is your choice, your commitment even to a brief but regular period that will please God. I know that He will bless you, resulting in you increasing your prayer times automatically.
I have already suggested that regular prayer is not intended to be used as a continuous request of God's help in meeting a need. Jesus suggested continually asking as recorded in Luke 11 v.5
Jesus said " Suppose you went to a friends house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread ( because you had unexpected company). He would call from his bedroom " don't bother me , the door is locked for the night and we are all in bed." " I tell you this, if he won't do it as a friend, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and get you what you want, so his reputation won't be damaged "
However, regular prayer time should be to develop a relationship with God . Relying only on repetitive prayer for results can be mis-leading ................ Although it seems like eventual success is guaranteed in Luke 11, , is " keep knocking long enough " the way you want to live your life ?.... it could take a long time for results.
Developing a closer relationship with God is more desirable...Jesus went on to teach, in Luke 13, v.24
" The door to Heaven is narrow. Work hard to get in, because many will try to enter, but when the head of the house has locked the door it will be too late. Then you will stand outside knocking and pleading 'Lord open the door for us' But he will reply "I do not know you " . You will say ' But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets'. But he will say 'GO away' And there will be great weeping...and you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets of God, but you will be thrown out. "
So Jesus is quoted as saying, without a relationship, God may say " Go away, I don't know you ", indicating a personal relationship with God is most important. From Luke 13, Jesus taught it is important that God know you. Many are often mislead by the question " Do you know Jesus ? " as being what it takes, when it really is what you do with that knowledge of Him that is important....developing a relationship with God so HE knows you.
I encourage you to , right now, choose a time....... upon awakening, during the day, or before sleep.....but pick a time and develop prayer as a daily habit at that time, focusing on remembering what God has already done in your life, leading you to express thanksgiving and adoration.
King David is recorded as having developed a prayerful relationship with God. In Psalm 116, David records one of his many expressions to God "
I often ask those I meet, " Is God helping you ??? " The predominate reason found in the Bible for a lack of God's help, is due to their lack of communication with God, and there is no close second.
And so I want to encourage you...read the Bible more often, and develop a regular prayer life...because prayer develops :
One Scripture says this of prayer :
( c ) 2006 www.focusOnJesus.net rev 8/25/06