Why Pray?

Did you know that God wants to spend time with you?

 He wants a relationship with you. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve hid from God when they heard him walking in the garden. Clearly, it was no surprise to them that he was there. The implication is that in the beginning God walked and talked with Adam. 

How much time do you think a good relationship requires?

I know that many of us have busy schedules, and finding time for prayer can be difficult. But I submit that we make time for the things that we find important. As a group, half of us spend five minutes or less a day communing with our God and Savior. Another quarter spend 5-15 minutes a day. Not long ago I was in that first half. But I made a commitment to pray more, and I have been seeing the fruit of this time spent with the Lord in my daily life.

So here’s my challenge to you: If you’re not already spending 15 minutes a day with God, make 15 minutes your daily goal. If you’re at 15 already, then challenge yourself to increase your daily time with him by 5, 10 or 15 minutes. And if you are already spending hours with him weekly, you are blessed! I know that you are seeing the fruit of your labor!

In Malachi 3:10 God says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” This refers to crops or money, but I submit to you that if you give a “tithe” of your time you will see similar blessings in your life. God loves you, and He wants to spend time with you. But He needs you to make the next  move.

If you’re not sure what or how to pray, here’s a simple acrostic to help you: ACTS

A - Adoration - Worship God by admiring his attributes, creation, works, and activity in the world. Praise Him through music or reading the Psalms or other scripture about Him to Him.C - Confession - Your own, your family’s and your nation’s sins.T - Thanksgiving - In everything give thanks!S - Supplication - This is where you present your requests to Him. Don’t forget your leaders and nation, too! 

And if you have no idea what to say to God, just talk to him about what’s going on in your life. Remember, it’s a conversation, not a performance.

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