Read
Jeremiah 29:11,
"For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.'"
Think
Every relationship is better with good communication! The same is true in our relationship with God. Prayer is one of the most crucial aspects of a vibrant relationship with God. God cares about what is going on in our lives and He is there to listen and guide us. Prayer is not reserved for spiritual superstars. Prayer is simply having a conversation with God so we can learn from Him and grow closer to Him. It's something everyone can do! There's no one way to pray, but the acrostic
P-R-A-Y can be a template to help you as you begin this conversation with God.
Praise God for what He has done in your life and thank Him for what is to come.
Repent of any mistakes that you have made. We all miss the mark – through our words, actions, and attitudes. But, we can choose to turn away from our sin and turn back to God.
Ask for what you need. God is the ultimate Provider and wants to give you what you need to carry out His purpose for your life. Finally,
Yield to God's authority and will in your life. Recognize that God is over all and in control. His way is the best way! So often, we turn to prayer as our last resort instead of our first response. What if today we started making a conscious effort to keep short accounts with God? The rhythm of our lives would completely change! Even if something seems small and insignificant to you, it isn't to God. Our God is an active listener, and He cares.
Act
What is going on in your life? What are you thankful for? What are you struggling with? Take a moment and tell God. Prayer is powerful. Talk to God about what matters to you, because it matters to Him.
Pray
God, thank You for always listening. I want prayer to be my first response and not my last resort. I know that You care about me, and though You already know everything that's going on in my life, You want to listen and help. For that, I am so grateful. Amen.