Prayer, It’s not just another word!

Have you ever told someone who was in need, or hurting, that you were praying for them? Have you signed a sympathy card using the words “praying for you”?  I have done both on several occasions. I have a confession to make.  I didn’t always follow through with this promise. I meant well, yet I never brought these petitions before the Lord.

In our society “prayer” has become just another word we offer up when a tragedy or sickness occurs. Yet, the truth is, prayer is a powerful thing, and not meant to be used lightly. When we pray, we are not only communicating with the creator of the universe, but asking for his intervention in our lives and the lives of those we pray for. 

Before Christ came into my life, I didn’t fully understand what prayer meant.  Like the rest of the world, I used it when the time was right, but it didn’t mean anything to me.  When I became a Christian, prayer was still foreign to me. In fact, I had a really difficult time speaking to God because I didn’t know the right words to say. But by God’s grace he brought me to the realization that prayer wasn’t about using beautiful eloquent words, but just speaking to Him; crying out to Him, thanking him for being involved in my life and letting Him know that I and others need Him. 

Now, as a Christian when someone asks me to pray for them, I realize that I have been given a very important task. I am humbled for the opportunity and know that I am to fulfill the promise I have made to them.

1 Samuel 12:23 (KJV) Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

LC Green