When Prayer is More than Just Words

    By: Shari A. Miller

There are times in my life when I have later questioned if I had made the right decision about something. Actually quite a few times to be honest. When I was reflecting back on one of these instances with one of my best friends, she asked me. "Well, did you pray about?" "Of course I did," was the first thing out of my mouth. 

Then I later went back and I thought about it.....did I? Did I truly pray about the situation that I had faced? I couldn't give myself an honest answer. I really didn't remember if I had prayed about it or not, to which I realized probably meant that I hadn't. 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12

 

It's been years since I had that conversation with my friend, as I have gotten older and deepened my relationship with Christ, God has been waking me up to the fact that prayer is more than just words. 

We need to have a deep and meaningful relationship with our Father. He needs to have our utmost attention. We need to give Him more attention than our phone, more attention than television and yes, even more attention than our families. When we approach God in this manner, our prayer life changes. It becomes more than just treating God like He's our personal genie in a bottle, He's so much more.  

For me, Christ is my closest friend. When I learn and act upon making Him first in every moment of my day, His desires become my desires. As I stay in His Word, I learn what His will is and I pray accordingly, "Not, my will but Thine." 

"Oh, the love that dwells in the heart of the man who draws near to God in prayer! You cannot love God at a distance. You must draw nearer and nearer, or love will not rest. As when one comes into the sunshine, he feels the warmth, so when we come nearer to God we have more joy in Him. Keep near to God. Abound in prayer. Let your supplications be instant and constant, and you will be sure that the Father Himself hears your cries!"

- C.H. Spurgeon

Having a close and personal relationship with the Father does not guarantee that all of our prayers will be answered the way we want them to. Sometimes this is a very hard pill to swallow. There are times where I'd like to kick and scream because things weren't done my way. But, when it comes down to it, they will be answered according to God's ways and that's all that matters. 

Friends, if you long for a deeper prayer life with God, I want to challenge you to grow a deeper relationship with God. As I do this in my own life I feel such a sense of peace when I know the Father is in charge of all aspects of my life and He's leading me in prayer every step of the way.

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. - Jeremiah 29:12