How many of us have craved a relationship with a true friend that is always there for us? One we can talk to any time of day or night? And one who listens and cares?
As Christians, we have that very thing.
There is a beautiful line of communication that is available to us, and it is like no other that ever was or will be.
The privilege of this thing called prayer has the power to do more than we can possibly imagine.
The meaning of prayer is simply the act of communicating with God.
While it may sound like no great thing, prayer offers much more than what we may first assume. How blessed we will be to discover the depths of prayer. This very thing will transform our lives!
“Pray without ceasing,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. When we’re in our car or at the store, when we’re on the job or relaxing at home, it makes no difference. We can speak to our Lord at any time. There really is so much to talk to Him about! And He’s right there waiting whenever we’re ready. We have so many things we can thank the Lord for! We can thank Him for life! Thank Him for breath in our bodies and another day to be alive! We can thank Him for the beauty He created all around us! And we can thank Him for His great love toward us!
Positive and happy things are not the only things we can talk to God about. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6
Isn’t it a blessing to realize that any situation we face, we can take the concerns and requests of each of them to our Father who cares? While we may have earthly friends that want to help us through every fear, hardship and trial, the limitations of human beings can only do so much. Taking our needs and desires to the Lord give Him the opportunity to show Himself alive and strong on behalf of those He loves. He sees us in our weaknesses, and He is waiting to step in to give us help. He is as close as our prayer! “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
Another beautiful thing about prayer is that our Savior already knows our hearts and the deep burdens and feelings within. There are times we can’t put our prayers into words, and that’s ok. As Romans 8:26 teaches us, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Not only does the Lord know the cries of the heart from deep within that have no words, His Spirit will intercede for us during those times to help us pray.
We are truly blessed to have access to communication to our wonderful Savior day or night. Let us take our thankful hearts and our human needs to the One who cares for us. And let us remember to thank Him for being a Friend like no other.
