The Gift of Prayer

We had the awesome privilege of having Tricia Johnson come and speak to us about prayer on Wednesday! It was a great morning and I know that so many of us took so much away from what she had to say through the comments I've heard from you guys and what I've been reading on Facebook - it was great!

It's easy to remember to go to Him during our trials but do we remember to go to Him in the midst of our everyday comings and goings? I know that most of us think we're just too busy to pray, too much going on everyday to stop and go to our Father. Tricia reminded us that "WE ARE TOO BUSY NOT TO PRAY!" Our busyness should be the reason that we come to our Lord. Our craziness, demands, schedules, life, etc. He can be our everything whenever we call to Him in the midst of our day and we should pull from that.

Tricia summed up a day in the life of Jesus and how busy, crazy and hectic it could get. Our days probably aren't like those that Jesus experienced but there is nothing that we go through and experience that Jesus hasn't. He knew he couldn't make it through a day without prayer. Take the time - We can't get through our life without prayer.

Phillipians 4:6 says "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." There is nothing that is too big for our Lord. We should be praying about everything, then, God's peace will come among us. Do you need peace in your life? Your home? Your kids? Extended family? Pray! Take the time to slow down your day and go to your Father.

Prayer is a gift. It is something we get to do. We can come before the throne of God with confidence. We are too busy NOT to pray because God values our prayers. He keeps them forever.

James 5:16 says "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." Jesus has cast out demons, healed and provided. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. The Spirit of Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Through the power of the Spirit of Christ living in YOU, through prayer you too can cast out, heal and provide. It's there, you just have to take it, receive it and use it!

Here are a few things Tricia mentioned we can do to apply all of this to our everyday lives:

• 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says "Pray continually." Our lives can be a prayer. Pray throughout the day and offer our lives up as a prayer.
  
• Be your child's prayer partner. Pray for the decisions they'll make, for their family, their character, future spouse, whatever it is. Be praying for them.
  
• Pray for yourself for your kids.
  
• Pray while you're driving, exercising, sitting at soccer practice or whatever it is your doing. You don't have to close your eyes and bow your head to talk to God!
  
• Try and also find a solitary place to pray (the bathroom, closet, wherever it may be)... Make it your "prayer chamber."

Thank you so much Tricia for coming to share with us and for opening up your heart and your passion of prayer! We all took so much away from it and we are so thankful for you!