Prayer

Spending time with God in prayer is one of the most exciting privileges we have. Yet  many people are still confused about what prayer is, and wonder why they should do it.

So, what is prayer?

Prayer is a means of communication with God.
We do this by praising Him, confessing our sin before Him, thanking Him and asking Him for our needs and desires.

Prayer is communion with our Creator. When we pray, we engage in loving fellowship with the Author of the universe. He has graciously invited us into a close covenant relationship with Him through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Prayer is central to the Christian life. Christians are commanded to "pray continually” (1 Thess 5:17) as we seek God and grow in intimacy with Him.

Why should we pray?

God calls us to pray

...‘in every situation’ (Phil 4:6), 'without giving up' (Luke 18:1). Your heavenly Father wants you to talk to Him - regularly, continually and persistently.

Prayer is not only for your sorrows, or to ask for forgiveness, or to seek guidance.  Yes, those are all good reasons to pray, but there is more!

We should pray in celebration of God's gifts and blessings he has sent you.   ‘Rejoice always, pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ (1 Thess 5:16-18)  You may hear someone say under their breath when they hear good news, "Thank God!".
That's right you should thank God. Stop, if only for a moment, acknowledge God and thank him.  

God in heaven, thank you for ... 

Invite those around you to join, it's only a few seconds.  It not so much what you say, it is what you think and feel.  You should have no concern about finding the perfect words or how flawlessly you express them. God already knows your deepest thoughts, your needs, and your desires. What truly matters is your heart's desire to communicate with Him—because at its core, that is what prayer is all about.

As illustrated in Romans 8:26-27  ESV
"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. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."As you make these pauses and think about God, His mercy, His grace, His love, you begin to realize, this is not your world. It is His, and He provides it to all.  We have free will to acknowledge Him, and be one with Him.  To understand and accept that Jesus came and became the only sinless man.  He was persecuted, and died as payment for all of the sins of all of mankind. The good news is that was not the end, he arose from the dead and is in heaven today. This paves the path for us all, we just have to believe.

Brief little prayers will lead you  to something bigger and better, try it! 

God in heaven, please grant me ... [patience, solitude, peace, insight, ...]
God, you are mercy and grace, I give thanks for your love.
God our Father, I am yours.
Lord, I am sorry, please forgive me. 

 If you would like someone to pray with and for you, for others, multiplied by our prayer chain make a request.